Definition
The arrangement of the airplane prepared for landing, typically with the landing gear extended (on retractable-gear aircraft) and the wing flaps set to the full or landing position as specified by the manufacturer. Power setting and airspeed are adjusted to maintain the approach profile in this configuration.
Plain English
How the airplane is set up when it is ready to land — gear down (if it retracts), flaps fully extended, and flying at landing approach speed.
Context Anchor
You will see this term during approach and landing practice, landing checklists, and slow flight training when the airplane is placed in a landing-like setup before flying slowly.
Derivation
Configuration comes from the Latin configurare, meaning 'to shape or arrange together.' In aviation it refers to the overall shape and arrangement of the airplane — particularly the position of gear and flaps — at a given phase of flight.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures the airplane maintains the proper approach speed and stability for a safe touchdown without floating or excessive sink rate.
Intuition Check
Do not read “configuration” as just a general arrangement. In this context, it means the airplane’s actual flying setup, especially whether the gear and flaps are positioned for landing.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, the pilot confirmed the airplane was in landing configuration with the gear down and full flaps selected.
Example Sentence 2
During slow flight practice, the instructor had the student establish the landing configuration to simulate approach conditions.