Definition
A named checklist phase covering the actions a pilot completes during the approach to land, typically while on the downwind, base, or final leg of the traffic pattern, or during the descent and approach segment of an instrument arrival. The Before Landing checklist confirms aircraft configuration items such as fuel selector position, mixture, propeller setting, landing gear, flaps, lights, and seatbelts, ensuring the airplane is properly prepared to touch down.
Plain English
It is the checklist a pilot runs through shortly before touching down, to make sure the airplane is set up correctly for landing.
Context Anchor
Seen on airplane checklists during the approach to landing or while flying the traffic pattern before touchdown.
Why Pilots Care
Proper completion ensures the airplane is in the correct configuration with gear down, flaps set, and fuel and mixture appropriate, preventing gear-up landings and unstable approaches.
Grounding Statement
The before landing check is the pilot’s final planned confirmation that the airplane is ready to land.
Intuition Check
Do not read “before landing” as only the last few seconds before the wheels touch. In checklist use, it means the planned phase before touchdown when the pilot still has time to configure the airplane and catch mistakes.
Example Sentence 1
Turning onto the downwind leg, she called for the Before Landing checklist and confirmed the gear was down and locked.
Example Sentence 2
On downwind the instructor reminded the student to run the before landing items before turning base.