Definition
A landing error in which the airplane climbs back upward during the round out (the transition from descent to the level attitude just above the runway) because the pilot raised the nose too quickly or too much, producing more lift than needed to arrest the descent. The airplane gains a small amount of altitude above the runway instead of settling smoothly toward it.
Plain English
The pilot pulls back on the controls too hard or too soon just before touchdown, and instead of leveling off close to the runway the airplane floats back up a few feet. It is the opposite of touching down — the airplane briefly climbs when it should be settling.
Context Anchor
Encountered during landing practice, especially in the last few seconds before touchdown when the pilot is leveling the airplane above the runway.
Derivation
From the verb 'balloon,' meaning to swell or rise upward like a balloon being inflated. The word captures the visual image of the airplane puffing back up away from the runway when it should be sinking toward it.
Why Pilots Care
Uncorrected ballooning can result in a stall, hard landing, runway overrun, or loss of directional control, especially in gusty conditions.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane a few feet above the runway starting to rise again when it should be gently settling down.
Intuition Check
Ballooning does not mean the airplane expands or becomes lighter like a balloon. In this landing context, it means the airplane unexpectedly rises or floats upward during the round out.
Example Sentence 1
After ballooning during the round out, the student held the pitch attitude steady and added a touch of power to cushion the landing.
Example Sentence 2
To prevent ballooning during round out on a short runway, the pilot reduces power and airspeed earlier so the airplane is ready to touch down as soon as the flare begins.