Touchdown

  1. The point at which an aircraft first makes contact with the landing surface.
  2. Concerning a precision radar approach (PAR), it is the point where the glide path intercepts the landing surface.

Source: FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary (definition from the 2023 edition; current: Change 1 of 7 August 2025).

See also

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Glossary last updated 2024-07-25.

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