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When approaching to land on an unfamiliar runway that slopes downward, what tendency might a pilot have?

  • A

    Fly a low approach.

  • B

    Fly a high approach.

  • C

    Fly a faster than normal approach.

  • D

    Land short of the runway.

Refer to figure. 
When approaching a runway with a downslope, the pilot views it at a decreased angle, causing him to assume that he/she is lower above the runway than they actually are. The angle looks the same as being too low to a flat runway. The pilot might then decrease their rate of descent and land long of the runway.

  • As a result, a downsloping runway can easily make the pilot believe that they are actually low on approach and have the IMPRESSION that they are going to undershoot the runway (land before the runway). To correct this perception, they may remain higher, with the risk of landing long on the runway. Trusting their flight instruments should counteract this illusion.

DOWNSLOPING RUNWAY 
pilot's impression → approaching the runway lower, runway undershoot will occur 
reality → approach is normal 
correction based on pilot's impression → remain higher, overshoot the runway (land long)

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