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Old 4th Aug 2015, 09:30
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Shaggy Sheep Driver
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: UK
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I didn't see any significant flare, and no hold-off. The result was a flat landing - all 3 wheels pretty much touching down together (not 'a bit 'flat', totally flat). That's not uncommon but as you yourself have deduced, it ain't the way to do it. It's poor technique and it overstresses the nose leg which isn't designed to take it (see the countless nosewheel collapses in the AAIB reports).

You need to flare, then hold off just above the runway (try to prevent it touching down by gently easing the stick back as the speed bleeds off with the wheels just above the surface - but don't climb either!). When the aerolpane is ready, it will land despite your best efforts to continue to hold it off.

If you get the chance to fly a tailwheel aircraft that will instill such skills, as the sort of landing you demonstrate would not be tolerated by a taildragger (landing too flat, unless doing a deliberate 'wheeler', would result in a nose-high bounce).

So practice those hold offs and flares!
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