I once counted as many as 10 pitch pumps between a jet transport arriving at 50 feet above the runway and touchdown. As the power came to idle (a bit further down the runway than necessary), the copilot planked it down with a predictable, rather heavy kerplunk. All survived. And they could use the 288
Lighten Up Your Landings
I once counted as many as 10 pitch pumps between a jet transport arriving at 50 feet above the runway and touchdown. As the power came to idle (a bit further down the runway than necessary), the copilot planked it down with a predictable, rather heavy kerplunk. All survived. And they could use the airplane again. But theres got to be a better way. Its the last couple hundred feet where many pilots lose the finesse, presuming they had any to begin with. Its the case whether operating VFR or IFR, since most operations this close to a runway are visual.
Key Takeaways:
- Successful landings demand finesse, emphasizing the coordinated and smooth application of pitch and power during the final approach and flare.
- Maintaining the correct angle of attack in the flare requires a progressive "squeeze back" on the yoke, and critically, avoiding any forward movement that leads to hard landings.
- Pilots must anticipate and smoothly compensate for aerodynamic phenomena like reduced drag in ground effect and the nose-down pitching moment caused by power reductions.
- Overall smoothness, concentration, and practice are paramount for a gentle touchdown, discouraging erratic "pumping and dumping" of controls.
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