A flight s takeoff and en route phases may have been perfectly planned and executed, but if the landing s a bouncer or a crabbed slam-in, the pilot s in the doghouse. He s a lousy pilot. Can t land worth a damn. Hard on the nerves, back, and landing gear. The word will get around.
Landings send important safety messages.
Because the necessary corrections and judgments are so critical during landings, any lapses in skill will quickly reveal themselves. A recent AOPA Air Safety Foundation safety review of weather-related accidents showed that 20 percent of taildragger accidents were caused by botched crosswind landings. It s vital to have a procedural sequence firmly in mind before entering the airport traffic pattern. Most important, you should learn to cultivate a detached, yet alert awareness of your progress. This kind of self-examination helps you to develop higher standards and tolerate fewer errors in skill or judgment.