It must be remembered that the manufacturer’s recommended  procedures, including airplane configuration and airspeeds,  and other information relevant to approaches and landings in a  specific make and model airplane are contained in the Federal  Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved Airplane Flight  Manual and/or Pilot’s Operating Handbook (AFM/POH)  for that airplane. If any of the information in this chapter  differs from the airplane manufacturer’s recommendations  as contained in the AFM/POH, the airplane manufacturer’s  recommendations take precedence. A normal approach and landing involves the use of procedures  for what is considered a normal situation; that is, when engine  power is available, the wind is light, or the final approach is  made directly into the wind, the final approach path has no  obstacles and the landing surface is firm and of ample length  to gradually bring the airplane to a stop. The selected landing  point is normally beyond the runway’s approach threshold  but within the first  1 ⁄ 3 portion of the runway. The factors involved and the procedures described for the  normal approach and landing also have applications to the  other-than-normal approaches and landings and are discussed  later in this chapter. This being the case, the principles of  normal operations are explained first and must be understood  before proceeding to the more complex operations. To help  the pilot better understand the factors that influence judgment  and procedures, the last part of the approach pattern and the  actual landing is divided into five phases:  The placement of the base leg is one of the more important  judgments made by the pilot in any landing approach.  [Figure 8-1]  The pilot must accurately judge the altitude  and distance from which a gradual, stabilized descent results  in landing at the desired spot. The distance depends on the  altitude of the base leg, the effect of wind, and the amount  of wing flaps used. When there is a strong wind on final  approach or the flaps are used to produce a steep angle  of descent, the base leg must be positioned closer to the  approach end of the runway than would be required with a  light wind or no flaps. Normally, the landing gear is extended  and the before-landing check completed prior to reaching  the base leg. After turning onto the base leg, start the descent with reduced  power and airspeed of approximately 1.4 V$_{SO}$, which is the  Figure 8-1.  Base leg and final approach. 8-2 Base Leg Normal Approach and Landing 1. the base leg  2. the final approach  3. the round out (flare)  4. the touchdown  5. the after-landing roll 36 18