Paul Voight <<flyhigh>>
writes:

I agree with Jim Rooney’s commentary on emphasizing that coming
into a landing with high speed is a big key to landing success. But one must
carry this speed all the way to just off the deck, into actual ground effect.
(Jim does say this.) A very common problem is what we (Ryan and I) call high
“round-outs”.

Pilots pull in (properly) for speed on approach, but then “round out” (fly
parallel to the ground) still 10 or 15 or even 20 feet high. This is not ground
effect. At the end of these scenarios, when the glider ‘s retained energy is all
bled off, a steep angle descent towards the actual ground occurs, which a flare
will not eradicate, except in a strong wind.

You see people who land in wind all the time get away with this style
repeatedly, but it is bad technique regardless.

Additionally, there are two other major factors that play a major role in
landing success (flaring to a near stop), assuming a good approach is performed.
Timing and technique. If you get good at both, landing is effortless.

If your timing is great, then non stellar technique (example: hands low on
downtubes), is no issue at all. If your timing is, “not perfect yet,” then
optimum technique (hands in higher position and flaring up-not-out-with feet
back) is needed to compensate for timing mistakes.

Lastly, remember the following as known contributors to landing problems: low
turns, low hand transitions, low airspeed, high round-outs, long leg-loops, and
throwing one’s feet out forward/ahead (instead of back, or at least straight
under you). Bundle more than one of the above mentioned landing issues into one
event, and chances of success are radically reduced.