Definition
The segment of flight that begins as the aircraft transitions from the final approach to ground contact and ends when the aircraft has decelerated and exited the runway. It typically includes the round-out (flare), touchdown, rollout, and turn-off onto a taxiway.
Plain English
The part of the flight where the aircraft comes down from the approach, settles onto the runway, slows down, and clears the runway.
Context Anchor
Used when discussing landing instruction, risk management close to the ground, and the sequence of actions a pilot must control during a landing.
Derivation
Landing comes from land, meaning the ground or earth. Phase comes from a Greek word meaning an appearance or stage. Together, landing phase means the stage of flight connected with getting the aircraft safely onto the ground.
Why Pilots Care
The landing phase is statistically one of the highest-risk segments of any flight. Recognizing it as a distinct phase helps pilots and instructors focus attention, manage workload, and apply specific risk-management techniques during this short but demanding window.
Grounding Statement
Picture the aircraft close to the runway, descending, touching down, and then rolling out under control.
Intuition Check
Do not treat landing phase as only the instant the wheels touch. In this context, it includes the controlled actions leading to touchdown and the control of the aircraft after touchdown.
Example Sentence 1
During the landing phase, the instructor reminded the student to keep flying the airplane all the way to the taxiway.
Example Sentence 2
After touchdown in the landing phase, the instructor reminded the student to keep the nosewheel straight while decelerating.