What tends to increase landing distance during approach and landing?

• A. Higher approach speed
• B. Using maximum flaps
• C. Landing gear down
• D. Strong headwind

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that landing distance grows with the amount of energy the airplane must shed during the landing phase. That energy is the airplane’s kinetic energy, which increases with the square of speed. So, if you approach faster, you arrive with much more energy to dissipate through braking, reverse thrust, and aerodynamic drag, which means more runway is needed to come to a stop. Faster approach also tends to cause more float during the flare, delaying touchdown and extending the distance from touchdown to stop.

Using maximum flaps lets you achieve a slower, more controlled approach with more lift at a given weight, reducing the energy that must be dissipated and typically shortening landing distance. Landing gear down adds drag but isn’t the primary factor in distance, and a strong headwind reduces the ground speed on approach, which helps shorten the required runway.