What is the recommended sidestep approach speed?

In the context of flying the King Air 350, the recommended sidestep approach speed being 120 KIAS is derived from safety and performance considerations.

During a sidestep approach, you are typically transitioning from one approach to a parallel runway that may not be perfectly aligned with your previous flight path. This maneuver can introduce complexity, requiring the pilot to coordinate altitude, speed, and track adjustments carefully. The choice of 120 KIAS as the recommended speed strikes a balance between maintaining sufficient airspeed for safe aircraft control and ensuring that the aircraft is adequately configured for landing.

This speed is high enough to allow the pilots to maintain a good margin above stall speed, providing ample control authority during the potentially dynamic maneuver of sidestepping to a parallel runway. Additionally, flying at 120 KIAS enhances the aircraft's responsiveness and allows for a smoother transition during the approach phase.

Choosing a speed that is too low could compromise control and increase the risk of stalling, especially in the event of needing to initiate an unexpected go-around or maneuvering for wind conditions. Conversely, flying considerably faster might lead to longer landing distances or require more aggressive deceleration during the landing rollout. Thus, 120 KIAS serves as the optimal speed for achieving a