What is recommended action if an airplane is ballooning during the landing approach?

When an airplane balloons during the landing approach, this phenomenon typically occurs when the aircraft's nose rises too high relative to the intended landing path. This can lead to a potential loss of control or altitude if not corrected appropriately.

Gently pushing the yoke forward is the recommended action because it helps to lower the nose of the aircraft and allows it to regain the proper glide path towards the runway. By doing this, the pilot can maintain a safe airspeed and control the descent rate, which can prevent the airplane from stalling or floating excessively above the runway.

Maintaining the current power setting without making adjustments can allow the aircraft to continue to rise, exacerbating the ballooning situation. Increasing flap extension may not be effective as it could further increase lift and make the issue worse. Climbing back to altitude is not practical during a landing approach and can introduce additional complications and risks. Thus, pushing the yoke forward effectively addresses the ballooning by stabilizing the descent.