Experience is essential for a smooth landing

Question: During the final moments of landing, how does the pilot know the remaining distance before the main gear touches the runway? — Scott L., Jacksonville

Answer: The final moments of the landing are determined primarily by training and experience. While a radar altimeter displays the height of the landing gear above the ground, things are happening too fast to use it.

Experience is essential to keep the airplane tracking the center line while touching down in the touchdown zone.

Q: Why are some landings rougher than others?

— Mary, Temple, Texas

A: The conditions vary greatly from landing to landing. Wind, runway conditions, weight of the airplane and many other factors can cause some landings to be less smooth than others. Pilot technique can be a cause, but it is usually not the only cause.

Q: How do pilots know when to extend their flaps, use spoilers, lower the landing gear and so on?

— submitted via email

A: Most jets begin to extend slats/ flaps around 200 knots out for slower flight. By around 5 miles from the runway, the landing gear is extended, and the flaps are in the landing position.

Experience and training are important factors in making sure the airplane is properly configured. Q: During approach to landing, why does the airplane vibrate so much?

— Tj, Conn.

A: When the slats, flaps and landing gear are extended, there is some buffet. This is the vibration you feel. It varies from airplane to airplane.