Definition
A landing error in which the pilot begins the round-out (the transition from descent to level flight just above the runway) too late or performs it too abruptly, resulting in excessive pitch-up, a hard landing, a balloon, or insufficient time to arrest the descent before touchdown.
Plain English
Starting the level-off too low or pulling back too quickly when trying to land. Either mistake makes the landing rough or unsafe because the airplane doesn't have time or smoothness to settle gently onto the runway.
Context Anchor
Encountered during landing practice, especially while learning the final moments before touchdown.
Derivation
"Round out" describes the curved flight path the airplane follows as it transitions from descent to level flight just above the runway -- the descent path is rounded off into a level path. "Late" means it was started too low; "rapid" means it was done too fast.
Why Pilots Care
This error frequently produces hard landings that can damage landing gear, cause propeller strikes, or lead to loss of directional control after touchdown.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane still descending toward the runway, then the pilot suddenly tries to level off at the last moment instead of making the change smoothly.
Intuition Check
“Late” does not mean late by the clock; it means the round out starts too close to the runway. “Rapid” does not mean good quick action; it means the nose is raised too abruptly for a smooth landing.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor pointed out that the student's hard touchdown was caused by a late round out, with the descent never fully arrested before the wheels hit the runway.
Example Sentence 2
A rapid round out at low altitude caused the nose to pitch up excessively and airspeed to decay before the wheels reached the runway.