Normal approach and landing — stabilized approach criteria
A **stabilized approach** is the foundation of every safe landing. By the 500 ft AGL gate the aircraft must be:
• On the published (or planned) approach path — glideslope within ±1 dot, or within the VASI/PAPI white/red indication. • On speed — Vref ± 5 knots, typically 1.3× Vso. • In the correct configuration — final flap setting, landing checklist complete. • Sink rate ≤ 1,000 fpm. • Power setting appropriate to maintain all of the above.
If not stabilized by 500 ft AGL (day VFR, some operators use 1,000 ft for all conditions), **go around** without hesitation. A go-around is a normal maneuver, not an admission of failure.
**Flare technique:** begin the round-out 10–20 ft above the runway, reducing power to idle while slowly increasing back-pressure to arrest the descent. The aim is to touch down at the slowest possible airspeed — main wheels first, nose wheel last — in the landing attitude. Premature nose-wheel contact can cause porpoising and prop strikes.
On rollout, maintain directional control with rudder; apply aileron into the wind as you slow. Brake only as needed to make the desired turnoff — hard braking wastes tires and risks loss of control on wet surfaces.