text: deficiency. It is most desirable that the power- 
  plant be capable of effecting rapid changes in 
  thrust to allow precise control of the airplane 
  during approach. 
  
  The type of approach path is an important 
  factor since it affects the requirement of the 
  flare, the touchdown rate of descent, and-to 
  some extent-the ability 
  to control the point 
  of touchdown. Approach path A of figure 
  6.4 depicts the steep, low power approach. 
  Such a flight path generally involves a low 
  power setting near idle conditions and a high 
  rate of descent. Precise control of the air- 
  plane is difficult and an excess airspeed usually 
  results from an approach path similar to A. 
  Waveoff may be difficult because of the re- 
  quired engine acceleration and the high rate 
  of descent. 
  the steep approach 
  path with high rate of descent requires con- 
  siderable flare to reduce the rate of descent at 
  touchdown. This extreme flare requirement 
  will be di,fficult to execute with consistency 
  and will generally result in great variation 
  in the speed, rate of descent, and point of 
  touchdown. 
  
  The technique required for the landing will 
  be determined in great part by the aerodynamic 
  If the airplane 
  characteristics of the airplane. 
  characteristics are low wing loading, high LID, 
  and relatively high lift curve slope, the airplane 
  usually will have good landing flare charac- 
  the airplane characteristics are 
  teristics. 
  high wing loading, low L/D, and relatively low 
  lift curve slope, the airplane may not possess 
  desirable flare characteristics and landing tech- 
  nique may require a minimum of flare to 
  touchdown. These extremes are illustrated by 
  the lift curves of figure 6.4. 