Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Tony 1963]

Hi,

"The lunar module moved ahead like a helicopter flaring out for landing."

What does "flare out " mean here?

Thanks.

Tony

[Anuradha Chepur]

Widening at the base.

[pugachevV]

In aviation, you flare out when you approach a landing at a steep angle, but just before touching down, the nose of the plane is lifted so that the main wheels touch down first and the angle of attack is reduced to one almost parallel to the ground, so that you touch down gently.

[Tony 1963]

Thanks, pugachevV.