Short answer → No. While its the most important criteria for passengers in assessing the landing (
). Its actually the least important factor for a safe landing. Its of course nice if a soft touchdown occurs but it should not be the aim. Its far more important to land with a safe vertical rate within the touchdown zone than extending the flare in an attempt to land softly. Sometimes it is essential to make “positive” touchdown, when the runway is short for example or contaminated.
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