PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Clapping on landing
View Single Post
Old 28th Aug 2008, 19:33
  #33 (permalink)  
Mark in CA
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: US/EU
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here in the states, we used to say the smooth landings were former Air Force pilots, while the hard landings were Navy (carriers, I suppose).

My "funniest" landing experience was at Lindbergh Field (SAN), which sits in a bowl and has a single, very short runway and an odd approach that takes you through the downtown high rise buildings. Not much room for error.

The pilot of this particular flight (I think it was a DC-9 or MD-80), flubbed the flair and floated the landing, and eventually dove for the runway resulting in a very positive placement and very hard braking. As we turned off the runway and taxied to the gate, the FA started her welcome announcement with "Now that we have successfully attacked Lindbergh Field, welcome to San Diego." Everyone burst out laughing.

On other flights, every time I've congratulated the pilot on icing the landing, they've always attributed it to luck.
Mark in CA is offline