I like to use the TAC when landing to help practice following the proper landing pattern. Unfortunately, if I follow it "too well" the game decides I'm done using the plane once I set down and automatically shuts my engine off. This is avoidable by skipping one of the landing pattern waypoints, but is there a way to prevent this from happening even if I follow the pattern?

Are you flying on realistic? I follow the pattern (usually) and shut down the engine by leaning it out.

Are you using an aeroplane with a rotary engine?
If you blip the engine for to long a period it will cut and stop...

If you finish the mission by landing at the end of one, and then turn off the engine. it will effectively end the mission. Only in that circumstance will you not be able to restart.
We do not automatically turn off your engine for you. So something else is going on, perhaps your mixture is too lean as you descend you need to increase the mixture.

OR maybe you have the AI "autopilot" on ?

I blip the engine off all the time on landing by accident...it's embarrassing having to walk back to the mess...

Embarrassingly after some testing, it looks like it was a false alarm and indeed was an issue with engine blipping for too long. Rotary engines are hard! Thanks for the help, everyone, and sorry for the silly question!

Not a silly question at all... that's why I posted about blipping the engine as a possible cause... I still get caught out with the rotary engines.

Good to hear osterizer8. It was sometimes dangerous to hold the blip for too long in reality too, as it could lead to an explosion or fire.