Definition
A standardized list of items a pilot completes during the approach to landing to configure the airplane and verify it is ready to land safely. Typically performed on or before the base leg of the traffic pattern, it commonly includes setting the fuel selector, mixture, propeller, carburetor heat (if applicable), landing gear, flaps, lights, fuel pump, and seat belts as specified in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for that airplane.
Plain English
A short checklist the pilot runs through before landing to make sure the airplane is set up correctly and nothing important has been forgotten.
Context Anchor
Used while preparing to land, before the airplane is lined up with the runway.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures the airplane is correctly configured, preventing common landing errors such as gear-up touchdowns or improper flap settings.
Intuition Check
Do not read “check” here as a quick glance. In aviation, a before-landing check is a deliberate confirmation, usually from a checklist, that the required landing items are set correctly.
Example Sentence 1
Abeam the touchdown point, the student reduced power and began the before-landing check.
Example Sentence 2
The student performed the before-landing check on final approach and selected full flaps only after verifying airspeed.