Definition
A landing fault in which the airplane touches down and rebounds back into the air, usually because it contacted the runway with excess vertical speed, an improper pitch attitude, or both. The airplane leaves the surface, briefly becomes airborne again, and must be re-landed before it settles a second time.
Plain English
When the airplane hits the runway harder or flatter than it should and springs back up into the air instead of staying down.
Context Anchor
Encountered during landing practice, especially when learning three-point landings in a tailwheel airplane.
Derivation
Bounce comes from older English use meaning to strike, thump, or spring back after contact. That fits the aviation meaning: the airplane contacts the runway and then rebounds upward.
Why Pilots Care
An uncorrected bounce can lead to loss of directional control, a porpoise, runway excursion, or aircraft damage.
Intuition Check
Do not treat a landing bounce as just a small, harmless hop. In flying, a bounce means the airplane has not finished landing and still needs careful control.
Example Sentence 1
The airplane bounced on touchdown, so the pilot added a small amount of power and re-established the landing attitude before letting it settle back onto the runway.
Example Sentence 2
After the bounce, the pilot added power and executed a go-around to avoid a porpoise.