The 'landing flare' is an essential part of the landing procedure of any aircraft (commercial, light etc.). It is one of the last maneuvers performed manually by the pilot to ensure the aircraft is in the correct position before touchdown. ​

 

The actual maneuver is the pilot pulling back on the controls to raise the nose of the aircraft by several degrees. ​

 

Flaring is performed for two important reasons: 

   - The first, is to slow down the decent rate of the aircraft - by raising the nose, it stops the aircraft       from falling to the ground so fast and makes for a smoother and more gentle glide down to the         touchdown zone.

   - The second reason is to ensure (on most aircraft) the main gear touchdown first - this is because       the main gear are much stronger as they spread across the body of the aircraft, whereas landing       on the centre gear first, would snap it. However, in some aircraft where the main gear are in-             front of the centre gear, the aircraft must come in level to ensure the main gear touchdown first.