Definition
A category of common errors made by pilots during the approach and landing phase of flight, including problems such as low or high final approaches, incorrect airspeed control, improper use of flaps, poor flare technique, ballooning, bouncing, porpoising, hard landings, drift, side loads, and runway alignment errors. Identifying and correcting these faults is a core part of pilot training because the approach and landing phase is where many accidents occur.
Plain English
These are the typical mistakes pilots make when setting up for landing and touching down -- things like coming in too fast, too slow, too high, too low, or landing badly. Training covers what each mistake looks like, why it happens, and how to fix it.
Context Anchor
Seen in landing training, flight reviews, and instructor debriefs when discussing problems that occur close to the runway before or during touchdown.
Why Pilots Care
These errors account for a large share of general aviation accidents; learning to spot and fix them early improves safety and reduces training setbacks.
Grounding Statement
If the airplane is not lined up, slowed, descending, and touching down under control, the landing attempt needs correction or should be discontinued.
Intuition Check
Do not read “faulty” as simply “not perfect.” In this FAA context, it means an approach or landing condition that affects safety or control and needs prompt action.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor spent the lesson reviewing faulty approaches and landings, demonstrating how a high flare leads to a balloon and how to recover from it.
Example Sentence 2
After reading about faulty approaches and landings, the pilot adjusted his aim point and airspeed on the next circuit.