First, how much does your VE weigh when you fly it? Are you limited to
1050lb (like you should be?). 2nd, how low will your engine reliably
idle? It should idle at 650rpm or less. Any more, and your approach
ends up rather flat, and your rollout ends up long.
I actually land mine rather much like I would a Cessna 150, just faster. With the throttle closed, a very normal approach angle is possible. You'll see many people fly these things with a flat, fast (or slow) power-on approach, which I think is a mistake. If the engine quits (they do that, especially Cont), you won't make the runway, and at the speeds these things fly, I only want to put my wheels on pavement. This is not a heavy transport with multiple engines.
So, I fly my downwind so that I have my gumps check done, and arrive
abeam the numbers/touchdown point at 95-100mph. That's about 1700rpm, I think. Close the throttle. Keep 95mph. When I get out the downwind far enough to get the right looking approach (what are
the winds doing to me?), I turn base. Keep 90-95mph on base. Burp the throttle to see if the engine is still running. Keep your touchdown
point in sight. Look to the opposite side to see if some dummy is doing a straight-in. Turn final. Keep 90mph. If you are obviously high at this point, get the belly board out some. As you get to short final, slow to 80-85mph by gently raising the nose. As Glenn suggested, don't raise the nose so high that you can't see the runway (runway visible above the canard at all times). Don't flair too high above the
runway. In fact, maybe don't flair at all. If you had your airspeed right, as your speed decays, your descent rate will lead to very acceptable landing. Don't try to 'feel for the runway' until you have a bunch of landings under your belt. You'll end up with the nose way up, and drag
one of your winglets. If your descent rate gets too fast, just a little shot of power is the correct response - don't pitch the nose up. Keep
your hand on the throttle. If the winds are gusty, once the mains are on, let the nose down early. That will keep you from flying again. Practice keeping the nose wheel just clear of the runway. You get good aerodynmic braking just by loading the canard.
One more thing.. Look at the sight picture on takeoff. What does the
view of the runway look like as you break ground? This is generally a
good practice in ail airplanes. Remember that image for touch down.
Those are my thoughts. The Varieze is fun to land. Punches right through most turbulence and gusts.
Matt-
VE N34RD, C150 N714BK
