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Hitting the Bull’s Eye

Ken Babione
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Master the principle that pitch controls airspeed and throttle controls the rate of descent for a stabilized approach and precise spot landings.
  • For spot landings, aim for a point *before* your desired touchdown location to account for float in the flare, identifying it as the stationary point in your windscreen.
  • Align your aircraft with the centerline by keeping the stripes directly between your feet (in light aircraft) throughout the final approach.
  • Prioritize a stabilized approach by avoiding banks over 30 degrees in the pattern; if the approach is not stable or accurate, perform a go-around.
See a mistake? Contact us.

The next time you’re practicing in the pattern, try these basic tips to help you win that next spot landing contest — or at least touch down in the correct zip code.

First, you’ll need to buy in to the premise that, on approach, pitch really does control airspeed and throttle the rate of decent. This isn’t just some aerodynamicist’s egghead theory — it’s a key ingredient to every stabilized approach and will help you better control where you set down. Once you understand this principle, spot landings suddenly become much easier to master.

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