Takeoffs and Landings
Takeoffs and landings combine aircraft control, performance planning, wind correction, energy management, judgment, and precise transitions between ground and flight.
This section brings together individual takeoff and landing skills that pilots commonly train and revisit. Each skill page focuses on one maneuver or operating situation rather than trying to replace aircraft-specific procedures.
Speeds, configurations, performance figures, limitations, and techniques vary by aircraft. Use the approved POH/AFM, checklists, operating procedures, and instructor guidance applicable to the airplane you fly.
Takeoffs and Landings skills
- Go-Around — Discontinuing an approach or landing and transitioning safely back to flight.
- Crosswind Landing — Managing drift, runway alignment, touchdown, and rollout when the wind crosses the runway.
- Crosswind Takeoff — Maintaining directional and wind control as the airplane accelerates and becomes airborne.
- Short-Field Takeoff — Performance planning and precise takeoff technique when runway length or obstacles are significant.
- Short-Field Landing — Approach, touchdown, braking, and performance planning when landing distance is important.
- Soft-Field Takeoff — Operating from soft or rough surfaces while managing landing-gear loading and acceleration.
- Soft-Field Landing — Touchdown and rollout technique for soft or rough landing surfaces.
- Rejected Landing — Discontinuing a landing attempt at or near touchdown and returning to flight.
What pilots practice
Depending on the aircraft, training objective, conditions, applicable standards, and instructor guidance, this area may involve:
- aircraft control during transitions between ground and flight
- wind correction and directional control
- approach stability and go-around decisions
- aircraft performance and runway considerations
- airspeed, configuration, and energy management
- touchdown and rollout control
Practice and proficiency
Individual flying skills can become less familiar when they are not practiced regularly. The appropriate practice interval is personal and depends on experience, aircraft, operating environment, training, and the type of flying a pilot does.
Last Practiced lets pilots record when they practiced individual skills and set personal Practice Targets for skills they want to revisit.
Practice Targets are personal reminders. They do not establish regulatory currency, proficiency, or legal eligibility to fly.
Browse all pilot skills
Return to the Pilot Skills library to browse takeoffs and landings, airwork, stalls, emergency procedures, navigation, instrument flying, and glider skills.
Practice Targets are personal reminders. They do not establish regulatory currency, proficiency, or legal eligibility to fly.