When the AOA is increased, the lift is momentarily increased  and this decreases the rate of descent. Since power normally  is reduced to idle during the round out, the airspeed also  gradually  decreases. This causes lift to decrease again and  necessitates raisi ng the nose and further increasing the AOA.  During the round out, the airspeed is decreased to touchdown  speed while the lift is controlled so the airplane settles gently  onto the landing  surface. The round out is executed at a rate  that the proper landing attitude and the proper touchdown  airspeed are attained simultaneously just as the wheels  contact the landing surface. The rate at which the round out is executed depends on the  airplane’s  height above the ground, the rate of descent, and  the pitch attitude . A round out started excessively high must  be executed more slowly than one from a lower height to  allow the airplane to descend to the ground while the proper  landing attitude  is being established. The rate of rounding  out must also be proportionate to the rate of closure with  the ground. W hen the airplane appears to be descending  very slowly, the  increase in pitch attitude must be made at a  correspondingly slow rate. Visual cues are important in flaring at the proper altitude and  maintaining the wheels a few inches above the runway until  eventual touchdown. Flare cues are primarily dependent on  the angle at which the pilot’s central vision intersects the  ground (or runw ay) ahead and slightly to the side. Proper depth  perception is a factor in a successful flare, but the visual cues  used most are those related to changes in runway or terrain  perspective and to changes in the size of familiar objects near  the landing area, such as fences, bushes, trees, hangars, and  even sod or runway texture. Focus direct central vision at a  shallow downward angle from 10° to 15° toward the runway  as the round out/flare is initiated.  [Figure 8-7]  Maintaining the  same viewing angle causes the point of visual interception with  As the airplane reaches a height above the ground where a  change into the proper landing attitude can be made, back- elevator pressure is gradually applied to slowly increase the  pitch attitude and angle of attack (AOA).  [Figure 8-6]  This  causes the airplane’s nose to gradually rise toward the desired  landing attitude. The AOA is increased at a rate that allows the  airplane to continue settling slowly as forward speed decreases. The round out is a slow, smooth transition from a normal  approach attitude to a landing attitude, gradually rounding  out the flightpath to one that is parallel with, and within a  very few inches above, the runway. When the airplane, in a  normal descent, approaches within what appears to be 10 to  20 feet above the ground, the round out or flare is started.  This is a continuous process until the airplane touches down  on the ground. Round Out (Flare) Figure 8-5.  Focusing too close blurs vision. Figure 8-6.  Changing angle of attack during roundout. 8-6 34 78 knots Increase angle of attack 70 knots Increase angle of attack 65 knots Increase angle of attack 60 knots