Landing

    
       
   
Landing The landing manoeuvre will start two (2) meters from the ground. The model flares smoothly to a nose-high attitude, dissipating flying speed, then smoothly touches the ground, within the landing zone, with the main wheels first, with no bouncing or changes in heading after touchdown. The nose wheel on a tricycle gear and the tail wheel on a conventional (unless a "three (3) point landing" of mains and tail wheel touching simultaneously is executed) should settle gently to the ground after a brief rollout. The manoeuvre shall be considered complete once the plane has slowed below flying speed and has rolled straight for 15 meters.

The landing zone shall be marked by lines placed perpendicular across the runway and spaced 30 meters apart. The width of the landing zone shall be normally the width of the runway, but in no case shall exceed 30 meters. ... no downgrade will be given for any touch down within the zone but centred in front of the judging panel. The landing will not be downgraded if:
 
  1. Plane rolls straight to a controlled stop in less than 15 meters.
  2. Wing dips, unless they are not immediately corrected, which are caused by air turbulence.
  3. The pilot elects to "slip to a landing," to handle a crosswind condition, in which case the upwind wing will be low.


Downgrades:
 

  1. Model impacts the ground due to lack of flare.
  2. Model bounces after touchdown.
  3. Changes in heading.
  4. If model ends on its back, zero (0) points.
  5. Model lands outside 30 meter zone.
  6. If any undercarriage leg retracts on landing, zero (0) points.
  7. Aircraft "porpoises" and/or wanders during approach and flare.
  8. Aircraft lands outside landing area or runway, zero (0) points.
  9. Aircraft touches down while not straight to runway and ground track.