LANDING can be one the most terrifying aspects of flying. Especially when the plane hits the runway with a loud bang.
But, landings that are more difficult and scary can be safer than having your plane gently return to the runway.
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Sun Online Travel’s Pilot Eser Aksan E explained why she and her fellow pilots prefer to return with a bang.
She stated that to have a soft landing, one must float for a long period of time over the runway, but not land.
Pilots loathe this type of landing because it reduces your landing run.
“You only have a limited runway and if your plane keeps floating, it will eventually run out of runway.
“That’s why most pilots prefer a firm landing when it’s wet or slippery, especially in rainy conditions.
It should be firm and should be immediately. This will give you a long runway to stop at, which is useful in case you make mistakes.
“If you keep floating, you don’t have any runway left.”
Pilots who land on the runway have an aiming point that they use to aim at the runway.
But, this is not always possible. Those who run out of runway have two options. Either continue to fly until they stop or take off again.
If the reverse thrust system is not turned on, it’s impossible to take off again.
Once the “reversers”The system that assists aircraft in slowing down after landing is on. Pilots now have one option.
Eser said, “There is a route back. You can still takeoff again.”
You have the option to take off if you are too far from the runway. You can take off again as long as the reversers are not opened.
“But if the reversers are opened, there is no return. You must stop.
“That’s why a very smooth landing is something we don’t want because you need to get rid of your speed a little bit during the landing as well. So a little bit of a bump is always good.”
Pilots want a firmer landing. However, a soft landing does not necessarily mean that you are a bad pilot.
Eser stated that there are many factors that can influence how a plane lands. Therefore, it is not possible to judge whether a pilot is competent or unprofessional based on how the plane touches down.
She stated, “You don’t always know the circumstances.”
“I don’t know what the wind has done, or if it has changed.”
“It could be a bad day or something could be wrong, so I think it would be wrong to judge somebody on their landing.”
This pilot also shared the difficult decisions they make when it’s stormy.
Another pilot shared his knowledge about what they need to do to keep the plane in flight.
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