How do you calculate the total distance required to land an airplane?

The proper method to calculate the total distance required to land an airplane is to sum the ground roll (the distance the airplane travels on the runway before it stops) and the flare distance (the distance covered during the slow descent and rounding out before touchdown) along with the reaction distance (the distance the airplane covers while the pilot reacts to the touchdown and applies brakes).

Including the reaction distance is essential because it accounts for the time it takes for the pilot to perceive touchdown and begin the braking process, which impacts the total distance needed to come to a complete stop. This comprehensive approach ensures that all factors influencing landing distance are considered, providing a more accurate calculation that pilots can rely on for safe landing operations.

Other alternatives do not account for all necessary components of the landing process, leading to potentially underestimating the distance required for a safe landing.