Flight Question TAEM

[cbf]

I fly DGIV for earth rentry with A/P PRO104SPEC40 with Aerobrake and Base Sync MFD that are very precise tools. Meanwhile, the TAEM is not very easy to perform: Reentry Heading / runway QFU.
Any idea/trick?

 

[Urwumpe]

I usually aim for the following conditions with most craft:

- Pass over the runway in 10 km-15 km altitude at about Mach 1.2
- "Gentle" turn while descending to 4-5 km altitude, lining up with the runway.
- reducing speed to landing conditions.

The hardest thing is getting into the right speed and altitude window above the runway, that requires some feeling. Once you arrive there, it does not matter much how your course is. You just drop on the runway - 20-30° descend angle is normal.

 

[Tommy]

I like to cross the runway at about 750 V, 20k alt, at close to a right angle, about 20k from the near end. A few seconds after I cross it I'll turn AWAY from the runway and try to maintain a steady G force of 2 to 3 g's. As the speed decreases, the turn tightens and about 270 degrees later I end the turn lined up with the runway. As I understand this is similar to what the shuttle does, and the turn is called a Heading Alignment Cylinder, or HAC.