Landing flare



The landing flare, also referred to as the round out, is a maneuver or stage during the landing of an aircraft.

The flare follows the final approach phase and precedes the touchdown and roll-out phases of landing. In the flare, the nose of the plane is raised, slowing the descent rate and therefore creating a softer touchdown, and the proper attitude is set for touchdown. In the case of tailwheel landing gear-equipped aircraft, the attitude is set for touchdown on the main (front) landing gear first. In the case of tricycle gear-equipped aircraft, the attitude is set for touchdown on the main (rear) landing gear. In the case of monowheel gear-equipped gliders, the flare consists only of leveling the aircraft.

In parachuting, the flare is the part of the parachute landing fall preceding ground contact and is executed about 15 ft above ground.

During a helicopter landing, a flare is used for reducing both vertical and horizontal speed thus allowing a near zero-speed touchdown.