text: THE MIRROR LANDING SYSTEM. A 
  well planned, stabilized approach is a funda- 
  mental requirement for a good landing. How- 
  ever, one of the more difficult problems of 
  perception and orientation is the positioning 
  of the airplane along a proper flight path dur- 
  ing approach to landing. While various de- 
  vices are possible, the most successful form of 
  glide path indicator applicable to both field 
  and shipboard operations is the mirror landing 
  system. The function of the mirror 
  landing 
  system is to provide the pilot with an accurate 
  visual reference for a selected flight path which 
  has the desired inclination and point of touch- 
  down. Utilization of the mirror system will 
  allow the pilot to position the airplane along 
  the desired glide path and touch down at the 
  desired point. When the proper glide path 
  inclination is set, the pilot can be assured that 
  the rate of descent will not be excessive and 
  a foundation 
  is established for a successful 
  landing. 
  
  In order to reduce takeoff and landing dis- 
  tances and minimize arresting loads, takeoff 
  and landing wil! be accomplished at minimum 
  practical speeds. The 
  takeoff and landing 
  speeds inust provide suficient margin above 
  the stall speed (or minimum control speed) 
  and are usually specified at some fixed per- 
  centages of the stall speed. As such, takeoff, 
  approach, and landing will be accomplished 
  at specific values of lift coefficient and, thus, 
  particular angles of attack. For example, 
  assume that point A on the lift curve is defined 
  as the proper aerodynamic condition for the 
  landing approach. This condition exists as 
  a particular lift coefficient and angle of attack 
  for a specific aerodynamic configuration. 
  When the airplane is flown in a steady flight 
  path at the prescribed angle of attack, the 
  resulting airspeed will be appropriate for the 
  airplane gross weight. Any variation in gross 
  weight will Simply alter the airspeed necessary 
  The use of an angle 
  to provide suificient lift. 
  the recom- 
  of attack 
  indicator 
  insure that the 
  mended angle of attack will 