Ask the Captain: Sometimes a hard landing is a good one
— -- Question: Captain Cox, I was interested in your recent comments about hard and soft landings. I've experienced both as a passenger, but the vast majority are simply a bump or two which are unmistakable but not unduly jarring. I've also had a handful of hard hits where the passengers start asking, "did we land or were we shot down?" On the other hand, I've also experienced a handful where the landing was so incredibly smooth it was impossible to tell when we actually made contact with the runway. I make it a point on those rare occasions to congratulate the pilot on my way out.
My question is, where do you draw the lines between a "hard" landing, an "OK" landing and a "soft" landing? Given all the variables in play during a landing, can even the most skilled pilots consistently manage to make a "soft" landing or are those last few feet of descent simply beyond the range of any pilot finesse?
— submitted by reader Sandy6
Answer: The line between grading landing as hard and soft is subjective. A good landing, however, may not always be a very soft touchdown. In rainy conditions or anytime that the runway is contaminated, a firm touchdown improves wheel spin-up. Hydroplaning is an issue that must be considered when landing in contaminated runways. When you do not feel the touchdown, it often means that the runway surface was not dry, which allows the wheels to spin up more smoothly. There are too many variables for any pilot to make an extra smooth landing every landing.
Q: Hi Capt. Cox, a long time friend who was a commercial pilot used to say some of the best pilots were the regional pilots who flew "puddle jumper" routes since they were always taking off and landing. Do you agree?
A: I would not attempt to say who the best pilots are. Regional pilots make more takeoffs and landing than long-haul pilots. This increases their recent experience for this phase of flight; however, flights are more than just takeoffs and landing. Pilots must have experience with complex ATC issues, weather, and mechanical issues to ensure safe flights. I would characterize regional and long-haul pilots as having different environments in which to fly, but I would not say one was better than the other.
John Cox is a retired airline captain with U.S. Airways and runs his own aviation safety consulting company, Safety Operating Systems.
