Perfect Landings...Hold It Off and DO NOT Try to "Land"!

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As a long-time teacher of pilots at every level and differing backgrounds, I can safely say that teaching a pilot to make consistent landings in a light general aviation airplane is one of the CFI's most challenging goals.  The techniques that instructors use vary greatly and the results are oftentimes mixed at best! 

First, I would recommend that the actual teaching of landings should not begin until the pilot can safely and proficiently maneuver the airplane...this is not to say that the student should not be on the controls with you during those first few landings, because this technique does pay dividends.  The basic maneuvers of straight and level (yes, both at the same time!), level turns, climbs, descents, climbing turns and descending turns with proper and coordinated use of the flight controls is a necessity before attempting the more complex task of landing.  It is a perfect example of the "building block" concept and once these basic skills are in place a student pilot will have less apprehension and gain confidence quickly! 

Teaching landings before the student is somewhat proficient with these basic skills is akin to teaching someone to drive by putting the car on a sheet of ice and telling them to "figure it out!".  In addition to the 6 basic maneuvers, the student will also greatly benefit from exposure to the slow flight regime and the stall and recovery series.  Since handling the airplane accurately at a slower than cruise airspeed is required for most of the pattern and especially short final, level off and roundout, a pilot who struggles with slow flight or coordinated stall recoveries at 4,500 feet has no chance at 10 feet!

Once these basic skills have been learned (notice I did not say "taught"!...LEARNING is the goal and not teaching), then the landings become much easier to say the least.  After turning final, apply these steps and just smile while your student learns to land with just a little practice and tons of patience and guidance from you, the skilled instructor:

1.  Make certain that the airplane is PERFECTLY aligned with the runway centerline at all times...whether you are 1 mile out, crossing the fence, crossing the numbers, or in the roundout/flare, perfect CENTERLINE alignment is crucial.  This is easily done on final by viewing the runway as a whole and maneuvering the airplane until both runway edge lines are parallel to the flight path and not "skewed" or slanted left or right...if the runway edge lines are BOTH parallel to your flight path then you are precisely on the centerline.  This sight picture is crucial and must be demonstrated and reinforced until it becomes natural!

2. Use combined pitch and power to control speed and descent on the visual glidepath (NOT VASI OR PAPI!) and keep the touchdown point in the EXACT SAME SPOT in the windscreen!  Very important to not have the touchdown point continually moving so work on this "nuts and bolts" skill with precision being the goal.

3.  Continue descent on the visual glidepath and shift your focus to the departure end of the runway as you cross the fence or the approach end of the runway.  Continue looking at the departure end until after touchdown!

4.  There is a visual "illusion" that the runway is sloped up and away and this occurs whether you are at 10 feet or 1000 feet AGL.  It starts to go away when you are near touchdown....so, as you focus on the departure end of the runway it will begin to "flatten out" as you near the ground.  At this point, close the throttle and glide in ground effect until the excess speed bleeds off...be patient here!!


5.  Once the excess speed is gone, the airplane will begin to sink towards the runway...weight is now greater than lift and the airplane is READY to land.  Be PATIENT and do not try to land...I repeat do not try to land...just hold the nosewheel off the ground...focus on protecting the nosewheel by keeping it just a few inches above the ground as the airplane sinks through ground effect...if you focus on protecting the nosewheel by holding it off the ground, you will make perfect and consistent landings!!  On the other hand, if your focus is on perfect landings you have ZERO CHANCE of consistency...you may get lucky from time to time but even a blind dog can find a bone from time to time!  Do not depend on luck... 

Focus on HOLDING IT OFF and your landings will be the best on your airport...guaranteed!!