When Does A Late/Rapid Flare Happen?
Your natural reaction to an unanticipated low altitude above the runway is to apply excessive back pressure to prevent touching down early or landing hard.
So why do late flares happen? Often times it’s the result of not focusing your eyes far enough down the runway during the roundout and flare, but it can also be caused by the illusion of a narrower-than-usual runway.
If you’re surprised by a late flare, one of three situations typically happens: a balloon, a hard landing, or a nosewheel-first landing. Let’s look at each one in detail…