When it comes time to land your glider, you must pull down with both hands to cause what is called a “flare.” The forward and downward travel of your glider will be reduced and with practice you will be able to stand up comfortably with minimal running. Depending on the wind speed you will find that sometimes you can bring your glider to a complete stop and making a tip-toe spot landing.
The most important aspects of a good flare are timing and speed. Some schools employ a two-stage flare technique while others simply encourage students to smoothly pull the brakes until your elbows are locked and your hands are below your butt. The important thing here is that you are the pilot in command of the aircraft. Your instructor will guide you through a proper flare sequence, but it is up to you to execute a well-timed flare and land safely.
If you flare too quickly or sharply, you will overpower the glider and cause it to gain altitude. If you are lifted as you begin your flare do not continue the flare. Hold your hands where they are, and when you are back down to 3 feet from the ground, finish your flare. If you continue to rise more than a few feet SLOWLY ease your hands back up. If you raise your hands quickly the glider will surge and abruptly swing you into the ground. When you start to descend again treat it like another landing. If you are coming in for a landing and start to descend quicker than usual, you will need to flare earlier. It will probably still be a faster landing than usual, but you want to slow yourself as much as possible by completing a full flare. If you are landing fast, try to match speeds with the ground by running. If the landing is too fast, perform a PLF.
You will tend to land on what you are looking at - commonly known as “object fixation.” This is beneficial if you are focused on your spot landing target, but it can be potentially dangerous if you are fixated on a fence, tree, vehicle, or other obstacle. Force yourself to look at the spot you want to land on.
Whenever possible, challenge yourself to make spot landings. Spot landings take practice to master, but once you are confident you will be able to land in smaller landing zones and successfully fly more sites.
Any time you are landing, remember it is better to land safely and have a long walk than it is to try a risky landing close to your target. Spot landings are not mandatory - safety is.