We are shown repetitively how maneuverable Vipers are, able to flip nose to tail in a third of a second, but when they land in the flight pods, they come in at high speeds and try to get ahold of the magnetic deck in what amounts to a controlled crash.
Discounting "combat landings" where time is of the essence, and "emergency" landings where combat damage would prevent safe landing, it would be a lot safer and less damaging to the spaceframe for the viper to approach, flip and use its engine to match momentum with Galactica before setting down. There's no need for the fighter to "maintain speed" to keep flying like an airplane.
I get that the whole battlestar carrier thing is based on naval carriers, and having approaches like that is exciting, it just makes no sense.