How does ballast management impact approach and landing performance, and what is the recommended practice prior to final approach?

How does ballast management impact approach and landing performance, and what is the recommended practice prior to final approach?

• A. Heavier ballast decreases approach speed and shortens landing distance; leave ballast unchanged before final approach.
• B. Heavier ballast increases approach speed and landing distance; unload or reduce ballast before final approach to improve handling and safety.
• C. Ballast has no effect on approach or landing distance.
• D. Ballast should always be increased before final approach to ensure stability.

Answer: (B)

Ballast changes wing loading, which directly affects approach speed, stall margin, and landing distance. Adding ballast makes the glider heavier, so you must fly faster to maintain lift, which increases the energy you carry into the approach and typically lengthens the landing distance. Lighter ballast reduces wing loading, allowing a lower safe approach speed, better handling, and a shorter landing roll. For these reasons, the recommended practice is to unload or reduce ballast before final approach to improve handling, safety, and overall landing performance.

Ballast changes wing loading, which directly affects approach speed, stall margin, and landing distance. Adding ballast makes the glider heavier, so you must fly faster to maintain lift, which increases the energy you carry into the approach and typically lengthens the landing distance. Lighter ballast reduces wing loading, allowing a lower safe approach speed, better handling, and a shorter landing roll. For these reasons, the recommended practice is to unload or reduce ballast before final approach to improve handling, safety, and overall landing performance.