A classic with new paint, USA Jet's first 727 in the Ascent livery

Having flown many, most of them empty, I can attest that an empty 727-200 is the trickiest aircraft to land smoothly. I was warned about this by my first OE Instructor who flew them for over 10,000+ hours for Pan Am and other airlines. The gear being behind the pivot point drives them downward if you try to just flare. It's a two step process to increase power just as you flare and the timing is critical.

very smooth landing ...

You flare like normal and lightly release back pressure to allow the center of rotation to ever so slightly allow the gear body to rise relative to he concrete as the whole plan gently settles, at least that was the plan each time I landed the lovely three holer decades ago...LOL

Many landings on Shuttle roundtrips between LGA-DCA and LGA-BOS were like "a little bird" coming to the ground quite smoothly.

You flare like normal and lightly release back pressure to allow the center of rotation to ever so slightly allow the body to rise relative to he concrete as the whole plan gently settles, at least that was the plan each time I landed the lovely three holer.

Memories. Nearly 55 years ago, my wife and I were given a surprise wedding day gift by Bob Six and Continental Airlines -- a roundtrip flight from Denver to the Grand Canyon on CAL's first 727.