Normal Approach & Landing
The normal approach and landing is a stabilized descent to a flare and touchdown on the main wheels at minimum controllable airspeed, with the airplane aligned with and tracking the centerline. Everything else (crosswind, short field, soft field) is a variation on this.
Step by step
- 1On final, configure with the recommended flap setting and trim for the target approach speed (about 1.3 × Vso, or POH Vref).
- 2Establish a stabilized approach: constant airspeed, constant descent path aimed at your intended touchdown point, and on centerline.
- 3Manage the descent path with pitch and power together — pitch for airspeed, power for the aim point on a stabilized approach.
- 4In the round-out (flare), begin smoothly raising the nose at the appropriate height to arrest the descent just above the runway.
- 5Hold the airplane off with increasing back-pressure as it decelerates so it touches down on the main wheels at minimum speed.
- 6After touchdown, lower the nosewheel gently, maintain centerline with rudder, and apply braking as needed.
- 7Be ready to go around at any point if the approach is unstable.
Tips & common errors
- A stable approach is the foundation of every good landing — if it is not stabilized by a chosen gate, go around.
- Look down the far end of the runway during the flare for height and pitch cues, not just over the nose.
- Common error: flaring too high (ballooning) or too low (hard touchdown); fix the round-out height and rate.
- Carry the correct speed — too fast and you float; too slow and you risk a hard landing or stall.
ACS completion standards
The commonly-tested tolerances for this maneuver. Always confirm the current ACS for your certificate.
- Maintain the approach airspeed ±10 knots (Vref or 1.3 Vso).
- Touch down within 400 feet beyond a specified point, on the centerline, with no drift and the longitudinal axis aligned.
- Make smooth, stabilized, coordinated control inputs.
FAA source
FAA-S-ACS-6 (Private Pilot ACS), Task: Normal Approach and Landing; Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3, Chapter 8 (Approaches and Landings).
This is an original, plain-English study summary grounded in the public-domain FAA Airman Certification Standards and FAA handbooks cited above. It is a study aid, not flight instruction, and not a substitute for the official ACS, the handbooks, your aircraft’s POH/AFM, or a certificated flight instructor.
Related maneuvers
- Normal Takeoff & ClimbThe normal takeoff and climb is the baseline departure from a paved runway with little or no wind and no obstacles. You accelerate on the centerline, rotate at the recommended speed, and climb at the best-rate speed (Vy) while staying coordinated.
- Crosswind Takeoff & ClimbA crosswind takeoff adds wind from the side. You hold aileron into the wind during the ground roll to keep the upwind wing from rising, then transition to a wind-correction crab once airborne so the airplane tracks the extended centerline.
- Crosswind Approach & LandingIn a crosswind landing you neutralize sideways drift and keep the longitudinal axis aligned with the runway at touchdown. The two common techniques are the crab (corrected to a slip just before touchdown) and the wing-low (sideslip) method held throughout the approach.
- Short-Field Takeoff & Maximum-Performance ClimbThe short-field (maximum-performance) takeoff gets the airplane off the ground in the least distance and over a 50-foot obstacle. You use the full runway, the POH flap setting, full power before brake release, and climb at Vx until the obstacle is cleared.
Keep studying
Turn maneuver knowledge into a passing checkride
Drill ACS-aligned questions and ask the AI tutor, Ace, anything — free to start, no account needed.
Take a free practice test →