Aviation Parts
Aviation Parts
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Southwest Airlines Die-Cast Aircraft Set List Price: Sale Price: $10.50 You save: $4.49 (30%)  |
DescriptionColorful airplane and vehicles feature official Southwest Airlines graphics. Set includes commercial airliner (approximately 6" long) plus a variety of ground support vehicles and signs. Die-cast metal with some plastic parts. |
What does a flare refer to in aviation?
I'm interested in aircraft and recently saw a video of an airplane almost landing on its tail. The comments were talking about a flare, but I haven't been able to figure it out as nothing really explains it. All I have been able to find out so far is that it is a part of the landing. Can someone please explain?
Thanks.
Hello. A flare can refer to one of two things. Military aircraft release flares, basically just little hot balls of fire, that attract any heat seeking missiles to them instead of the plane. It is a standard aircraft defense device. The other flare, and probably the one you are talking about occurs just prior to landing. As a landing aircraft flies over the runway it slowly starts to reduce speed and pitch its nose up. This is called the flare. It slows the decent rate so the plane touches down smoothly as well as allowing the main gear (rear wheels) to touch down first because they are the stronger, load bearing wheels. Hope this helps.