Actually, what the pilots do, is
a) reduce thrust - kinda like shutting down the engines, but not all the way. Thinking of it as, taking your foot of the gas/throttle -but maintaining enough speed to maintain lift.
b) use the flappy things in the tail
c) lower the wheely rubbery things
d) do some things with the wings
Things called "spoilers" are also used. Contrary to popular opinion, 'spoilers' are not a row of people in the theater who shout out during the suspenseful bits
Yup, I know all of the above is needed to land the plane.
(Forgive me if I get too technical.....)
Not at all ! I actually prefer it that way. I work in the aviation engineering line, so your description of the landing procedure is way too simplified for my liking.
Not to mention that i know it in the first place. I wrote the "shutting down engine for landing" statement in jest for your " continue to go up irrespective of drag" statement.
The fact that flaps and spoilers are used to increase drag and allow the a/c to descend contradict your bold(no pun intended
) statement.