In a roll-on, what is the maximum nose-high pitch attitude allowed at touchdown?

• A. 20 degrees
• B. 10 degrees
• C. 30 degrees
• D. 5 degrees

Answer: (A)

In a roll-on landing the goal is to touch down on the main landing gear first and then let the nose wheel settle down smoothly. The maximum nose-high pitch attitude at touchdown is about twenty degrees. This limit gives enough nose-up attitude to keep the airplane stable during the initial contact and rollout, while avoiding excessive loading on the nose gear, poor visibility, or control problems that can come with a steeper pitch. Going higher than this makes the rollout riskier and can lead to abrupt pitch changes or structural/component stress; going too shallow can cause floating or an unstable touchdown.