Flare (aviation)

The landing flare is a maneuver or stage during the landing of an aircraft.

The flare follows the final approach phase and precedes the touchdown and roll-out phases of landing. In the flare, the nose of the plane is raised, slowing the descent rate, and the proper attitude is set for touchdown. In the case of conventional landing gear-equipped aircraft the attitude is set to touch down on all three wheels simultaneously or on just the main landing gear. In the case of tricycle gear-equipped aircraft the attitude is set to touchdown on the main landing gear. In the case of monowheel gear-equipped gliders, the flare consists only of leveling the aircraft.

In parachuting, the flare is the part of the parachute landing fall preceding ground contact, and is executed about 15 feet (5 m) above ground.

During a helicopter landing, a flare is used to reduce both vertical and horizontal speed to allow a near zero-speed touchdown.

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