Can a Plane Land, Taxi Back, and Take Off Again Without Stopping?

The process of landing a plane, taxiing back, and taking off again without stopping, commonly known as a 'touch and go,' can indeed occur under specific conditions. However, certain factors and airport regulations must be considered.

Understanding Touch and Go Landings

A 'touch and go' landing is a technique where a plane touches down on a runway, lifts back off to an altitude of about 50 feet, and then takes off again without parking. This maneuver is often followed by a traffic pattern, which is a square pattern around the airport and parallel to the runway.

Why Perform a Touch and Go?

Touch and go landings are often preferred by pilots during night flying training or at airports with limited resources. Pilots practice these techniques to improve their landing and takeoff skills. In some cases, such as at busy airports or during controlled flights, they may be required by tower controllers due to the need to efficiently manage traffic.

The Process of a Touch and Go

When a plane performs a touch and go landing, it begins like a normal landing. The pilot maintains control of the aircraft until it has lifted off the runway at an altitude of around 50 feet. The plane then immediately takes off again, and the pilot must ensure that the aircraft has sufficient lift to continue. After the touch and go, the plane follows a traffic pattern, which is a square pattern around the airport, before attempting another landing if necessary. This process is often used at smaller airports with less traffic, allowing pilots to get more practice in shorter timeframes.

Practical Examples and Limitations

For example, in one YouTube video featuring Aerolíneas Argentinas’ last B737 flight, you can observe a touch and go followed by a traffic pattern. While this technique can be beneficial for practice, it is generally only used when necessary, such as when there are limited landing slots or when other options are not available. Passengers, however, typically do not enjoy this process, as they are more concerned with a safe and comfortable flight experience.

Regulatory Considerations

While touch and goes can be a useful tool for training and efficiency, there are several regulatory considerations to keep in mind. These include:

Conflicting traffic: Pilots must ensure that there is no conflicting traffic before performing a touch and go.

Airport control: At controlled airports, the request must be approved by tower controllers.

AIM (Aeronautical Information Manual) guidelines: The Aeronautical Information Manual and other procedural guidelines must be followed to ensure safety and efficiency.

Student Pilot Training

During student pilot training, it is common to practice touch and goes as part of night flying and cross-country flights. At smaller, less busy airports, pilots might get as many as nine or ten landings to a full stop in an hour, including touch and goes. At busier airports, the number of full stop landings might be limited due to landing slots and tower procedures.

Complex Aircraft and Emergencies

For complex aircraft, touch and goes are particularly useful because they allow pilots to quickly retract flaps and take off again, minimizing the time between landings. In the case of aircraft with constant speed propellers, the mixture is often set to full rich and the prop is adjusted to flat pitch on final approach, ensuring full power is available for go-arounds or touch and goes.

Recency Requirements

Some regulatory requirements mandate 'landings to a full stop,' meaning that touch and goes are not always an option. Pilots are required to demonstrate their ability to land and take off in a controlled manner, which may include performing full stop landings during their training and evaluations.

Choosing the Right Airport

To optimize their training experience, pilots often choose to study at smaller airports where they can get more flying time and 'air work.' As they progress and require more advanced training, they move to larger airports with towers where they can practice radio procedures and other essential skills.

In conclusion, touch and go landings can be a valuable tool for pilots looking to improve their landing and takeoff skills, especially in controlled environments or busy airports. However, it is essential to follow all regulatory guidelines and ensure safety at all times.