No, pilots do not turn off the engines when landing. This is a common misconception; while engine power is significantly reduced, the engines remain running throughout the entire landing process.
The Role of Engines During Landing
Pilots never shut down an aircraft's engines as a normal part of the landing procedure. Instead, they meticulously manage engine power to ensure a safe and controlled descent and touchdown. The engines are critical for maintaining control, adjusting speed, and providing the capability for a "go-around" – an aborted landing that requires an immediate increase in thrust.
Why Engines Stay On:
- Safety and Control: Engines provide essential power for various aircraft systems, including hydraulics, electrical power, and environmental controls. More critically, they offer immediate thrust control.
- Go-Around Capability: In aviation, safety is paramount. Should conditions change unexpectedly during approach (e.g., sudden wind shear, runway obstruction, or an unstable approach), pilots must be able to rapidly increase power and climb away to attempt another landing. Shutting down engines would eliminate this vital safety net.
- Maintaining Systems: Many essential aircraft systems rely on the engines for power. Turning them off would disrupt these systems, compromising the aircraft's operability and safety during a critical phase of flight.
What Happens to Engine Power During Landing?
During the various phases of landing, pilots make precise adjustments to engine thrust, primarily by reducing it to idle or near-idle settings.
Engine Management During Landing Phases:
- Approach: As the aircraft descends, pilots reduce engine power, often setting throttles to a low-thrust or idle position. This allows the aircraft to lose altitude while maintaining a safe airspeed and glide path.
- Flare: Just before touchdown, typically a few feet above the runway, pilots make the final power reduction, often to idle thrust. This "flares" the aircraft, gently reducing the rate of descent for a smooth landing.
- Touchdown and Rollout: Immediately after the wheels touch the runway, pilots may engage thrust reversers (on many jet aircraft) to help slow the aircraft down. Thrust reversers redirect engine exhaust forward, providing additional braking force. Even with thrust reversers active, the engines are still running; they are simply redirecting their thrust.
Engine State Overview
The following table illustrates the typical engine state during different phases of flight, emphasizing that engines remain active during landing:
| Landing Phase | Engine State (Typical) | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Reduced Power / Idle | Control descent rate, maintain approach speed |
| Flare | Idle | Smooth transition to ground, reduce vertical speed |
| Touchdown | Idle / Thrust Reversers Engaged | Decelerate on the runway, provide braking assistance |
| Rollout | Idle / Reduced Reverse Thrust | Continue deceleration, maintain directional control |
| Taxi to Gate | Idle | Maneuver aircraft on the ground |
Safety and Operational Considerations
The practice of keeping engines running during landing is a cornerstone of aviation safety. It allows pilots to maintain full control, respond to unforeseen circumstances, and ensure all critical aircraft systems are continuously powered. Modern aircraft are designed with redundancy, but the immediate availability of engine power is irreplaceable for safe operation. Pilots undergo extensive training to master precise power management techniques during all phases of flight, especially landing.
