Smooth Touchdown
Big Idea
The flare is the last few seconds before landing — you trade speed for a gentle touchdown.
Fun Fact
The best landings happen when the stall horn goes off just as the wheels touch. That means you used all the energy perfectly!
What You Will Learn
- Begin the flare at about 10-20 feet above the runway
- Gently pull back on the yoke — trading speed for a slow descent
- Keep looking at the far end of the runway
- Let the airplane settle onto the main wheels first
Simulator Steps
- Fly the power-off approach to short final
- At about 20 feet, start pulling back slowly
- Keep pulling back as the airplane settles... slowly...
- The stall horn chirps — the wheels touch — you landed!
- Keep the yoke back and brake gently
What You Learned
- Flare at 10-20 feet above the runway
- Pull back gradually — do not yank
- A perfect landing: stall horn + touchdown at the same moment