There is a old pilot's adage, "Takeoffs are optional. Landings are mandatory." Along the same line, "Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man. Landing is the first." Landing a small, general-aviation airplane isn't brain surgery, but it does require some knowledge and lots of practice. We'll go over the landing of a single-engine-piston, tri-wheel airplane. Landing a plane with a tail wheel is slightly different.
Begin the landing with a good approach. Complete the before-landing checklist, including lowering the landing gear, if applicable. Enter the traffic pattern at a 45-degree angle to downwind at the traffic-pattern altitude. When you are at a right angle to your touchdown point, reduce power. When proper airspeed is reached -- the top of the white arc of the airspeed indicator -- extend the flaps 10 degrees.
Turn to base. At 45 degrees to the landing point, begin you turn to the base leg using a 30-degree bank angle and add another 10 degrees of flaps.
Turn to final to arrive on the extended runway center line, while adding another 10 degrees of flaps. Complete turn to final about 1/4 mile from the runway touchdown point.
Lower the nose to reach the aircraft manufacturer's recommended approach speed. Verify that the landing gear is down. Make sure the airplane is aligned with the runway center line. Maintain a constant decent rate.
Begin the landing. Float. Reduce power to idle. The descent rate should slow.
Flare. Pull back on the yolk to stop the descent rate. Continue to raise the noise smoothly, holding the airplane just above the runway as the airspeed slows to stalling speed. The goal is to achieve the proper nose-up attitude at the precise moment the last of the altitude is lost.
Touch down on the main wheels first, holding the nose wheel off by maintaining back elevator pressure. Keep the nose straight on the center line with rudder control. Gently lower the nose to the runway. Allow the airplane to slow and use brakes, if necessary.
Turn off the runway. Raise flaps, full up. Make sure carburetor heat is off, if appropriate. Taxi to the parking area, using proper wind-control technique.
