2l - Normal Landing
Required for Solo: 61.87(i)(16)
Required for Private: 61.107(b)(6)(iv)
Lesson Objective
During this lesson the instructor will demonstrate a normal landing. The student will perform supervised landings, and when proficient, will be able to execute a normal landing without coaching or intervention from the instructor. To achieve the objective of this lesson, it will certainly take many flights.
For the purposes of training, the term Normal Landing in this lesson plan indicates benign atmospheric condition, and does not include crosswind, tailwind, or landing in strong headwinds.
The student must demonstrate proficiency in landing on both the paved runway and the grass safety area in order to achieve level 3 (solo proficient) or level 4 (rating proficient).
Regulatory Requirement
- Pre-Solo: 14 CFR §61.87(i)(16)
- Private Pilot Test Candidate: PTS IV(Q)
Content
- Line up with the runway or grass safety area
- Flare at the appropriate height
- Use of speed brakes, dive brakes, flaps
- Runway centerline alignment
- Smooth touchdown
- Appropriate speed on final approach
- Appropriate speed on touchdown
- Hazards of landing at too high of an airspeed
- Hazards of approaching the runway at too low of an airspeed
- Discussion of landing on uneven surfaces (uphill, downhill, side slope, crops)
- Discussion of last-ditch alternatives (multiple gliders on runway, use of taxiway)
Prerequisite Study
- Glider Flying Handbook (2024), Chapter 7, Normal Landing, page 7-33 through 7-39.
Video Example
Here are some examples of a reasonable pattern and landing. The video from the Soaring Safety Foundation is comprehensive and explains what matters in a checkride.
Completion Standards
When complete, the student will:
- be able to execute a normal landing without coaching from the instructor.
- execute a landing in which the successful outcome is never in doubt.