Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining and indicating a distance between a landing small airplane and a landing surface, wherein the distance is no more than approximately twenty-five feet. The apparatus emits signals from opposite sides of the airplane toward the landing surface, receives the signals reflected by the landing surface, and, based on the differences in time between emitting and receiving the signals, determines the distances from the opposite sides of the airplane to the landing surface. The apparatus is further operable to communicate the shorter distance to the pilot so that he can decide when to perform a flare maneuver.