Plain English Meaning
The moment and place where the wheels first meet the runway as the aircraft lands.
Full Definition
The point at which an aircraft first makes contact with the landing surface during a landing. For instrument approaches, it also refers to the point where the nominal glidepath intercepts the runway.
Context Anchor
Used in landing discussions, runway distance planning, and reports describing where an aircraft landed on the runway.
Why Pilots Care
The touchdown point determines remaining runway distance for stopping and marks the start of the landing rollout phase.