Interesting insight/history... Today it means pretty much what it says...
touching down on the runway numbers. Pretty straight forward... While it
is probably debatable, in my opinion, this is not always the safest thing to
do, I believe most will aim for the center of the first third of the runway.
Reason "landing on the numbers" is not always safe, is if you "miss."
Missing "long" in this case isn't bad, but missing "short" can be, and many
things can happen to cause you to miss short, like wind dying down,
turbulence, etc. There are times when you will probably want to land on
the numbers, such as a medical emergency on board and need to get to medical
assistance as quickly as possible.


"gpsman" wrote in message
oups.com...
Mxsmanic wrote:
What does the expression "landing on the numbers" mean?

It's an old Vietnam-era military aviation tradition.

A firebase support crew twists up a few "numbers" (aka blunts, rounds,
hooters, spliffs, joints) and fixes them to the runway/LZ with duct
tape or a rock, ammo can, etc. They were awarded to the first chopper
crew returning from a mission who lands close enough to collect them.

FYI:

Vietnam: A country in SE Asia.

Vietnam Era: Between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975

Firebase: An secure or semi-secure encampment designed to provide fire
support to infantry via helicopters and howitzers.

Support: The inverse of resistance.

Runway: A defined rectangular area on a land airport that is prepared
for the landing and takeoff of aircraft.

LZ: Landing zone.

Duct tape: An adhesive tape intended to seal joints in sheet metal duct
work.

Rock: A piece of stone.

Ammo can: A metal container for holding ammunition.

Chopper: A helicopter.

Helicopter: An aircraft that obtains its primary lift from the rotation
of overhead blades.
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- gpsman