A300
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 4000
Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
I wanted to practice a vertical speed approach. We set up and briefed a visual backed up by the ILS; done in the vertical speed profile as if the glide slope was out. We briefed it would take about 700 FPM down per our approach speed to the DA. We were cleared for the visual. Prior to the FAF we were fully configured and on approach speed. At the FAF we started our 700 FPM descent; at a 1;000 FT we noticed we were going to be a little high so I adjusted the VS to a 1;000 FT down. We didn't anticipate getting the glideslope alert and went below it. I turned autopilot off and corrected back to be on glidepath. All the stabilized criteria was met and we were in visual conditions; and determined that terrain was not a factor. We continued and landed in the touchdown zone.
First Officer wanted to practice a vertical speed approach for training. We set up and briefed a visual approach backed up by the ILS but did it in VS as if glideslope was inoperative. We briefed that it would take about 700 FPM per our approach speed and per the approach chart and we would descend to our DA. Weather was day VFR and we had the runway in sight more than 15 miles out. We were cleared for a visual approach. Prior to the FAF; we were completely configured at flaps 40 and at approach speed. First Officer set a vertical speed of 700 which we figured out from the approach chart and briefed at altitude. Around 1;000 FT; we noticed that we were a little high. First Officer set a vertical speed of 1;000. We went below the glidepath; and received an aural glideslope alert. Stabilized criteria were met; the runway was in sight; I determined that terrain was not a factor; and the First Officer corrected back to the glideslope. We continued the landing and landed in the touchdown zone.
A300 flight crew reports descending below the glideslope inadvertently during a visual approach; then correcting and landing normally.