Learn how to land the Cessna 172 in MSFS 2024: approach speeds, flap settings, flare, touchdown, go-around and fixes for bouncing.
To land the Cessna 172 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, establish a stabilised final at about 60–65 KIAS with landing flap as required, hold a three-degree path with small power changes, close the throttle over the threshold, then flare gently and touch down on the main wheels before lowering the nosewheel.
What speed should you land the Cessna 172 at?
For a normal Cessna 172 landing at typical training weight, aim for 60–65 KIAS on final in calm conditions. These are indicated airspeeds, not the GPS ground speed; wind changes ground speed without changing the indicated approach target.
| Approach phase | Typical speed | Typical configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Downwind | 85–90 KIAS | Flaps up |
| Abeam the threshold | 75–80 KIAS | First stage of flap |
| Base | About 70 KIAS | Usually 20° flap |
| Final | 60–65 KIAS | Usually 20–30° flap |
Weight, wind and the particular C172 variant alter the precise numbers, so the cockpit placards and aircraft checklist take priority. Extend each flap stage only below its permitted speed. Carrying an arbitrary extra 10 knots is a common mistake: it usually produces a long float rather than a safer landing.
How do you fly the approach, flare and touchdown?
A good Cessna 172 landing comes from a trimmed, stabilised approach rather than a large control input over the runway.
- Prepare the aircraft. Select the runway into wind where possible, disconnect the autopilot, set the fuel selector to both, switch on the landing light and complete the before-landing checklist. Set mixture rich unless field elevation or the aircraft procedure requires leaning; apply carburettor heat only if the simulated variant has it and its checklist calls for it.
- Reduce power abeam the threshold. Around 1,500–1,700 RPM is a useful starting point, but do not treat it as a fixed setting. Extend the first flap stage below its limit, let the nose settle to the required attitude and trim for roughly 75–80 KIAS.
- Turn base without skidding. Add the next flap stage and target about 70 KIAS. If the runway is disappearing behind the wing or the turn would require excessive bank, extend the circuit instead of forcing the turn with rudder.
- Stabilise final. Align with the centreline and settle at 60–65 KIAS. Two white and two red PAPI lights indicate approximately a three-degree path. Use pitch mainly to correct airspeed and power mainly to correct the descent path, while recognising that every change affects both.
- Look through the runway. Keep the intended touchdown area fixed in the windscreen during final. Near the threshold, shift your view towards the far end of the runway; staring immediately in front of the nose makes it difficult to judge height.
- Round out and flare. Smoothly reduce power to idle and raise the nose just enough to arrest the descent. Continue increasing back-pressure as speed decays rather than making one abrupt pull.
- Touch down on the main wheels. Hold the nosewheel clear briefly, keep straight with rudder and let the nose lower gently. Brake only after the aircraft is settled, using progressive pressure rather than a sudden full application.
If you also need help with circuit positioning and aircraft setup, our complete Cessna 172 flight sequence covers the stages before the final approach.
Should you use full flaps for every landing?
Full landing flap is suitable for most calm-wind C172 landings, but it is not mandatory for every approach. Twenty degrees can provide a little more control authority and less drag in gusty conditions, while full flap gives a steeper descent and shorter landing when used correctly.
A flapless landing is possible, but it requires a higher approach speed and more runway; it is better treated as an abnormal-procedure exercise. For a crosswind, use the flap setting allowed by the aircraft checklist, lower the upwind wing and hold the centreline with opposite rudder. Our Cessna 172 crosswind landing technique explains the crab, sideslip and control positions in detail.
Why does the Cessna 172 float, bounce or veer off the runway?
Most poor C172 landings in MSFS 2024 begin with excess speed, an unstable descent or an attempt to force the aircraft onto the runway.
| Problem | Likely cause | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Long float | Approach too fast or power left on | Hold the landing attitude; go around if too much runway is used |
| Hard touchdown | Flare started too late or power removed too early | Stabilise at 60–65 KIAS and begin a gradual round-out |
| Single small bounce | Excess speed or a flat touchdown | Hold a landing attitude and allow the aircraft to settle; do not push the nose down |
| Repeated bounce or porpoise | Large pitch corrections after touchdown | Go around immediately |
| Runway veer | Insufficient rudder, crosswind or excessive nosewheel steering | Use small rudder inputs and keep crosswind aileron applied |
| Unresponsive or twitchy controls | Controller dead zones, sensitivity or conflicting assistance | Check the control calibration and disable assists that are overriding manual inputs |
When should you go around?
Go around if the aircraft is not stabilised by about 500 feet above the runway, cannot hold 60–65 KIAS, is badly misaligned, encounters an occupied runway or begins a serious bounce.
Apply full power smoothly, control yaw with rudder and establish a climbing attitude. Retract to about 20° flap first, then remove the remaining flap in stages after confirming a positive climb and safe airspeed. Never retract all flap at once close to the ground; follow the checklist for the particular C172 variant.
How can you practise C172 landings efficiently?
Use the same runway, weather, fuel load and starting position for several approaches so that only your technique changes. Calm wind is best initially; add crosswind and gusts after you can repeatedly hold speed and centreline. Our guide to setting up repeatable landing practice explains how to build a useful training session without flying a complete trip each time.