Definition
A landing in which the aircraft contacts the runway and rebounds into the air to a height and attitude that prevents a safe recovery to a normal landing, requiring the pilot to execute a go-around rather than attempt to salvage the touchdown.
Plain English
A bounce big enough that the airplane can no longer be landed safely from it. The correct response is to add power and go around for another approach instead of trying to force it back down.
Context Anchor
Encountered during landing practice, especially when learning how to recover from bounced landings.
Derivation
Significant comes from a Latin word meaning “to make a sign” or “to indicate.” Bounce means to spring back after hitting something. Together, the phrase means a runway rebound that is important enough to change what the pilot should do next.
Why Pilots Care
Left uncorrected, a significant bounce can lead to loss of directional control or further bounces that damage the aircraft.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane touching down, then popping back into the air instead of staying on the runway.
Intuition Check
A significant bounce does not mean every tiny skip after touchdown. It means a rebound large enough to affect safety and require an active recovery decision.
Example Sentence 1
After the significant bounce on touchdown, the student correctly applied full power and initiated a go-around.
Example Sentence 2
After a significant bounce, the instructor called for a go-around to reset the landing.