What does touch and go mean landing?

So, you wanna know what a “touch and go” landing is? It’s kinda like… well, imagine you’re driving, right? You’re perfectly happy cruising along, then you see a really cool parking spot. You pull in, just barely touching the curb – phew, that was close! – and then, instead of putting the car in park, you immediately back out and keep on driving. That’s pretty much it, but with a plane.

Seriously, a touch and go is a big deal in pilot training. I remember my instructor, this super calm guy named Bob – bless his heart – he made me do a ton of them. Hundreds, probably. At first, it felt terrifying. Landing is nerve-wracking enough, but then to immediately add the pressure of taking off again? My palms were so sweaty I could’ve watered the runway!

But they’re super useful. They let you practice, like, a million landings and takeoffs in one session, you know? It helps you get comfortable with the whole process—from flaring (that final gentle descent before touchdown, it’s tricky!) to smoothly accelerating back into the air. I mean, think about it: how else are you supposed to get the feel for the airplane without burning through a tank of fuel?

It’s all about building muscle memory and getting a feel for the aircraft, which is way more important than just, you know, making a perfect landing every single time. Because, let’s be honest, even experienced pilots don’t always nail it perfectly. Even Bob had a few close calls once or twice, though he never admitted it. He’d just chuckle and say something like, “Well, that was… interesting.”

Anyway, that’s a touch and go. Hope that helps! Let me know if you’ve got any other flying questions – I’m always happy to chat. Maybe I’ll even tell you about the time I almost kissed the ground in a crosswind… that was fun (not really).