Definition
The landing flare is the maneuver performed at the end of the final approach in which the pilot smoothly raises the airplane's nose to reduce the rate of descent and slow the airplane just before touchdown, transitioning from the descent attitude to the landing attitude so the main wheels contact the runway first at minimum vertical speed.
Plain English
Just before the wheels touch the runway, the pilot gently pulls back on the controls to lift the nose, slowing the descent so the airplane settles onto the runway softly instead of hitting it.
Context Anchor
Encountered during landing practice, especially in the last few seconds before the wheels touch the runway.
Derivation
Flare' comes from the idea of something spreading or opening outward, like a flared skirt. In flying, it describes how the descent path 'flares out' from a steady downward angle into a near-level path right above the runway.
Why Pilots Care
A correctly timed and executed flare prevents hard landings, bounces, prop strikes, and runway overruns by controlling touchdown speed and attitude.
Grounding Statement
In the landing flare, the airplane is very close to the runway and the pilot is reducing how fast it is coming down.
Intuition Check
Flare does not mean a signal light here. It also does not mean pulling the nose up sharply; it means a smooth nose-up change just before touchdown.
Example Sentence 1
As the airplane crossed the threshold, the student began the landing flare and the main wheels touched down gently a moment later.
Example Sentence 2
An early flare caused the airplane to float and use up most of the remaining runway before touchdown.