I've been instructing for 47 years & still instruct full-time. This was a great video! I hate & don't use the word flare. It denotes something special or magical. I teach level out & transition to slow flight. I have my pre-solo students fly down the runway like you demonstrated & if the wheels touch the runway they owe me a coke.
Great video! One thing that finally clicked for me was, “the secret to a good landing is trying not to land”. As the airplane slows down during the “transition”, just try your best not to let it land by gradually increasing back pressure. Trying not to land makes for a good landing!
Phenomenal insight, I’m a helicopter pilot with 4K hours, but recently got my CPL fixed wing with less than 100 hours. The biggest issue I have is the landings. Finding the right sight picture. I will go out with my instructor and practice this.
Like you I did a fixed wing add-on to my helicopter license. I had serious issues with the landings, the speed and sight picture were just all wrong. Burning in at 75 knots was insanely fast, and the nose down attitude made me feel like I was about to lawn dart into the ground. It probably took me 40 hours to get the landing down enough to just pass a check ride. I have about 1,000 fixed wing hours now and still have issue with landings at times, not that every pilot has bad landings from time to time. I've tried slow flight down the runway, but I always touch down. The balance of power is very tricky.
This is a far more effective tool for teaching (and learning). I had an individual who had soloed at an airport at sea level, and after a few years, had come to the Colorado area for work and wanted to finish his training. His “flare” was exactly as you stated…pull back until the nose won’t go up anymore (talk about pucker factor at 10 feet and looking at blue sky). “Flaring” (or Transitioning as you’ve suggested) at higher elevation is a lengthy, patience building process due to true airspeed being faster (groundspeed faster), and the reduced drag due to lower air density causing a slower speed reduction. This technique would definitely help prepare pilots who’s primary experience has been at lower elevations and give them a good technique if landing at higher elevation airports
The word "flare" always threw me when I was learning to fly. I always thought you should pull back beyond level. Not so... Just level off and let the airspeed bleed off gradually. Keep adding just a little back pressure until you touch down.
This is an awesome tip! I once landed my Warrior at a Class B airport, and the controller wanted me to get off at the very other side of the runway. I figured I'd glide/slow flight over the runway to save myself some time taxiing. It worked, and halfway down the runway I put the plane down in such a smooth way I had never done before. Was awesome😎
I love this! Wish somebody would have told me this when I was a private. I fly the 737 and it may look like a drastic flare but it is not we fly the AC to 100 feet, pull the power and due exactly what you said. It is very flat and just roll it on. I love this video!
I'm loving the series. I'm 6 hours in to my flying lessons. My instructor is a member of the club and is 74 and old school. He is telling me to look at the numbers then hold it off and look at the end of the runway, but I was thoroughly confused at what my goal was. I came here looking for more detailed explanation which is exactly what I found. I am so excited to get back in the cockpit later this week armed with information.
This has been the toughest part of my flight training. My flight instructor would say that I lock up like a stone during this last couple seconds of the landing. Jason Miller says some become a passenger at this phase. That’s me. They always have me pull back so far that I cannot see the runway. I have no point of reference from which to make adjustments. Jason M. says to use “your Lindbergh reference”. I am 6’2”, so if I can’t see the runway in a 172, that nose is way up! Frustrating!
I am currently working on my PPL and i started in a piper 140 and now i just switched to the cessna 172 so im going to be using these tips to improve my landings in the cessna.
I am one who has learned from your series. I thank you for your experience and the method you use in conveying it! I feel my everyday flying has improved. One of these days I will travel to Florida and meet you in person when possible.
Your videos have been absolutely invaluable. Unrelated - I snarkily selected you as my celebrity crush in a bar last week, and to my horror, there was a pilot present who knew exactly what I meant 😅 Gold membership incoming. Thanks again. #ImDoneBeingTheOver80%
My instructor always said if you have the approach and speed correct the just let the plane land do not force it, 30 yrs later that still sticks in my head when I land.
I am searching for every useful bit of techniques, tips and tricks that make me a better Student Pilot. I watch the finer points of flying and he talks about the Lindbergh reference after the transition to land. Could someone elaborate on that and explain the pro’s and cons of both techniques? I can’t judge it myself bcs the lack of experience.
I would be able impossible to stop using “flare” since it is used sooo much. Explaining it or using “transition” is good transition =flare. Where are we looking? Is the most common questions new and inexperienced pilots CANNOT answer. I think that’s a CFI error in teaching perceptions in the landing preventing insights … this no learning or change of behavior. I love your style but here I’m not sure the flare bit was useful. Everything you said was right on but confusion seed has been planted 😮
Agree it’s helpful to ditch the word flare. But why compare to slow flight instead of power off stall? That feels more apt since for slow flight you add power vs during a roundout / landing you go idle power. Furthermore, in the ACS the power off stall maneuver irc really mimics a landing: 1. Establish stable descent 2. Pick an altitude, go to power idle, and hold that altitude 3. As you slow down, to continue holding that altitude you’ll need to pull back more [eventually stalling the plane] This is essentially the same procedure as during a roundout: level off to bleed airspeed. Plane will want to drop but don’t let it land yet…pull back some more to keep the plane off the ground. Eventually your mains will touch down and -tada- you’ve landed with probably a small pinch of stall horn.
I've been instructing for 47 years & still instruct full-time. This was a great video! I hate & don't use the word flare. It denotes something special or magical. I teach level out & transition to slow flight. I have my pre-solo students fly down the runway like you demonstrated & if the wheels touch the runway they owe me a coke.
Great video! One thing that finally clicked for me was, “the secret to a good landing is trying not to land”. As the airplane slows down during the “transition”, just try your best not to let it land by gradually increasing back pressure. Trying not to land makes for a good landing!
Phenomenal insight, I’m a helicopter pilot with 4K hours, but recently got my CPL fixed wing with less than 100 hours. The biggest issue I have is the landings. Finding the right sight picture. I will go out with my instructor and practice this.
Like you I did a fixed wing add-on to my helicopter license. I had serious issues with the landings, the speed and sight picture were just all wrong. Burning in at 75 knots was insanely fast, and the nose down attitude made me feel like I was about to lawn dart into the ground. It probably took me 40 hours to get the landing down enough to just pass a check ride. I have about 1,000 fixed wing hours now and still have issue with landings at times, not that every pilot has bad landings from time to time. I've tried slow flight down the runway, but I always touch down. The balance of power is very tricky.
This is a far more effective tool for teaching (and learning). I had an individual who had soloed at an airport at sea level, and after a few years, had come to the Colorado area for work and wanted to finish his training. His “flare” was exactly as you stated…pull back until the nose won’t go up anymore (talk about pucker factor at 10 feet and looking at blue sky). “Flaring” (or Transitioning as you’ve suggested) at higher elevation is a lengthy, patience building process due to true airspeed being faster (groundspeed faster), and the reduced drag due to lower air density causing a slower speed reduction. This technique would definitely help prepare pilots who’s primary experience has been at lower elevations and give them a good technique if landing at higher elevation airports
I love low slow flight. It's my favorite way to fly.
The word "flare" always threw me when I was learning to fly. I always thought you should pull back beyond level. Not so... Just level off and let the airspeed bleed off gradually. Keep adding just a little back pressure until you touch down.
This is an awesome tip! I once landed my Warrior at a Class B airport, and the controller wanted me to get off at the very other side of the runway. I figured I'd glide/slow flight over the runway to save myself some time taxiing. It worked, and halfway down the runway I put the plane down in such a smooth way I had never done before. Was awesome😎
I love this! Wish somebody would have told me this when I was a private. I fly the 737 and it may look like a drastic flare but it is not we fly the AC to 100 feet, pull the power and due exactly what you said. It is very flat and just roll it on. I love this video!
I am working on landing as student pilot, and slow flight on the runway is such an interesting take. 👏 👏
I'm loving the series. I'm 6 hours in to my flying lessons. My instructor is a member of the club and is 74 and old school. He is telling me to look at the numbers then hold it off and look at the end of the runway, but I was thoroughly confused at what my goal was. I came here looking for more detailed explanation which is exactly what I found. I am so excited to get back in the cockpit later this week armed with information.
This has been the toughest part of my flight training. My flight instructor would say that I lock up like a stone during this last couple seconds of the landing. Jason Miller says some become a passenger at this phase. That’s me. They always have me pull back so far that I cannot see the runway. I have no point of reference from which to make adjustments. Jason M. says to use “your Lindbergh reference”. I am 6’2”, so if I can’t see the runway in a 172, that nose is way up! Frustrating!
I am currently working on my PPL and i started in a piper 140 and now i just switched to the cessna 172 so im going to be using these tips to improve my landings in the cessna.
Thanks for all of your videos Jason!
I am one who has learned from your series. I thank you for your experience and the method you use in conveying it! I feel my everyday flying has improved. One of these days I will travel to Florida and meet you in person when possible.
Thank you for making these videos, much appreciated!
Great presentation. Thanks
Good stuff
Thank you
Good vids. Probably never going to get a PPL because I'm 77 but I do enjoy your videos.
I do just that at every long landing. That is, short field approach and fly a foot or 2 over the length of the runway , buzzer screaming! :)
Your videos have been absolutely invaluable.
Unrelated - I snarkily selected you as my celebrity crush in a bar last week, and to my horror, there was a pilot present who knew exactly what I meant 😅
Gold membership incoming. Thanks again. #ImDoneBeingTheOver80%
My instructor always said if you have the approach and speed correct the just let the plane land do not force it, 30 yrs later that still sticks in my head when I land.
I am searching for every useful bit of techniques, tips and tricks that make me a better Student Pilot. I watch the finer points of flying and he talks about the Lindbergh reference after the transition to land. Could someone elaborate on that and explain the pro’s and cons of both techniques? I can’t judge it myself bcs the lack of experience.
Life pro tip: Find someone who loves you every bit as much as Jason hates the word "Flare" lol
Was that an example of "low approach"?
This should help 🙂. I'm still in the tendency to transition early because it feels like the aircraft is going to slam into the ground
I've learned I need more flight hours!
متابعكم من العراق 🇮🇶 حفظكم الله ودمتم بحفظ الله اخوه مع العراقيين وكل العرب
I always keep in mind, the airplane decides when it's gonna touch down, not me.
The big mistake students make is over thinking everything. Become one with the airplane.
I would be able impossible to stop using “flare” since it is used sooo much. Explaining it or using “transition” is good transition =flare. Where are we looking? Is the most common questions new and inexperienced pilots CANNOT answer. I think that’s a CFI error in teaching perceptions in the landing preventing insights … this no learning or change of behavior.
I love your style but here I’m not sure the flare bit was useful. Everything you said was right on but confusion seed has been planted 😮
Agree it’s helpful to ditch the word flare. But why compare to slow flight instead of power off stall? That feels more apt since for slow flight you add power vs during a roundout / landing you go idle power.
Furthermore, in the ACS the power off stall maneuver irc really mimics a landing:
1. Establish stable descent
2. Pick an altitude, go to power idle, and hold that altitude
3. As you slow down, to continue holding that altitude you’ll need to pull back more [eventually stalling the plane]
This is essentially the same procedure as during a roundout: level off to bleed airspeed. Plane will want to drop but don’t let it land yet…pull back some more to keep the plane off the ground. Eventually your mains will touch down and -tada- you’ve landed with probably a small pinch of stall horn.