Definition 1 of 2
Definition
A landing technique used in tailwheel airplanes in which all three wheels — the two main wheels and the tailwheel — touch the runway simultaneously. The airplane is held just off the runway in the landing flare until it reaches a near-stalled, full-stall attitude, at which point all three wheels make contact at the same time.
Plain English
A landing where the airplane touches down on all three of its wheels at the same moment, rather than the main wheels first and the tail second.
Context Anchor
Used in tailwheel airplane training, especially when learning normal landings and touchdown attitude.
Derivation
Named simply for the three points of contact made with the runway at touchdown — the two main wheels plus the tailwheel — all arriving together.
Why Pilots Care
It maintains propeller clearance and directional control on rollout in tailwheel airplanes.
Grounding Statement
Picture a tailwheel airplane easing onto the runway with its nose raised, so the two main wheels and the small tailwheel all meet the surface together.
Intuition Check
Three-point does not mean any landing involving three wheels. In this context, it specifically means a tailwheel airplane touching down on both main wheels and the tailwheel at about the same time.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor demonstrated a smooth three-point landing, with the mains and tailwheel settling onto the runway together.
Example Sentence 2
Crosswind correction must be held through touchdown to keep the three-point landing aligned with the runway.