What pilots should know about hard, firm and kisser landing.

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On the final approach to landing, a pilot controls the airplane speed by attitude and descent profile by thrust/power leading to touch down in the specified zone.

Over the threshold, flare out is commenced to arrest the rate of descent so as to achieve touch down at a correct angle and positive vertical acceleration.

Airline companies and charter operators advise pilots not to attempt kisser landing but to achieve controlled firm touch down within the limits specified by the aircraft manufacturer. From the very first day of commencement of training, pilots are taught to be stable on approach to avoid a hard landing. With practice, they learn the art of landing a smaller airplane and then gradually moving on to bigger ones.

Good landings are not a measure of how smooth a touch down has been.

Where as a hard landing announces your arrival to all the passengers.

Good landing means correct speed, touchdown in correct zone and with a firm contact with Mother Earth.

Kisser landing leads to additional burning of tyre rubber, eating up of runway and sticky weight switches. Kisser landings must be strictly avoided during landing on short runway, contaminated or wet runway or during gusty wind conditions.

Before every landing prepare yourself mentally to Go around even in the case of slightest of doubt or deterioration of approach parameters. Even if you are not the pilot in command or even if not flying, be alert and call out parameters that are beyond the limits.

Even if one accident or incident is averted this way it would be worth it.

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