What should a pilot do if they experience ballooning during landing?

When experiencing ballooning during landing, it is essential for the pilot to maintain pitch and control the descent rate. Ballooning typically occurs when an aircraft gains altitude unexpectedly due to a surge in lift, often as a result of a change in airspeed or angle of attack during the landing flare.

By maintaining pitch and controlling the descent rate, the pilot can ensure that the aircraft does not rise excessively, which can lead to a stall if it becomes too high or if the speed decreases too much. Managing these parameters allows the pilot to stabilize the approach and brings the aircraft back to the intended glide path, facilitating a safe touchdown.

Other options like applying full power or pulling up sharply may lead to a loss of control or other dangerous situations in the landing process. Similarly, simply increasing speed may not accurately address the immediate issue at hand, which is managing the aircraft's lift and descent instead of generating more lift. Thus, maintaining pitch and descent control is the safest and most effective response to ballooning during landing.