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Correct, Captain's can only land in LCY, if they're flying RJs or 146s anyway.
Also, if there was any uncertainty about the hydraulic systems, they would have diverted to Stansted or Heathrow. You can't land in LCY without all lift spoilers serviceable, which require green and yellow hydraulics, so I don't think it was a hydraulic fault.
You have to be quick with the flare and today there was varying winds and several runway changes. I flew into LCY shortly before the BA flight and we had a tailwind on the approach. The surface wind was quite calm so the approach speed was quicker than usual. You have got a very small gap to flare in order to touch down before the white lights. With the higher speed today and the steep approach, you really had to be on the ball. If you don't get it your going to land on the nose.