Definition
The total horizontal distance required for an airplane to land and come to a complete stop, measured from a point 50 feet above the landing surface (the threshold crossing height) to the point on the runway where the airplane stops. It includes the airborne distance from the 50-foot point to touchdown, plus the ground roll from touchdown to full stop.
Plain English
The runway length the airplane needs from the moment it crosses the runway edge at 50 feet up to the moment it stops rolling. It's the air portion plus the ground portion added together.
Context Anchor
Used when checking whether a runway is long enough for the planned landing, especially in performance planning for jet airplanes.
Derivation
“Landing” comes from the idea of bringing an aircraft down onto land. “Distance” comes from a Latin word meaning “to stand apart.” Together, the term points to a measured space between two defined points: the approach point above the runway and the point where the airplane stops.
Why Pilots Care
Determines whether the available runway is sufficient for a safe stop and prevents runway overruns, especially important at higher jet landing speeds.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane crossing the runway end at about treetop height, touching down, and then rolling until it stops; that whole measured length is the landing distance.
Intuition Check
Landing distance does not mean only the ground roll after the wheels touch. In performance use, it includes the air distance before touchdown plus the stopping roll after touchdown.
Example Sentence 1
Before departure, the crew checked the landing distance for their destination and confirmed the runway was long enough with a wet surface and a slight tailwind.
Example Sentence 2
Increased aircraft weight and a tailwind both lengthen the landing distance needed to stop on the runway.