Objective:

To develop the skill and proficiency necessary to safely and accurately execute a short field approach to landing and stop on a shortest distance of runway posible or when a landing must be made over an obstacle, which shortens the available runway. The student should be able to establish a stabilized descent, which allows for minimum floating during round out. After touchdown the flaps will be retracted, brakes fully applied, and the yoke brought fully back for maximum aerodynamic breaking.

Elements:

1. Determine landing performance and limitations for the aircraft at airport of intended landing.
2. Determine wind conditions and calculate the crosswind component.
3. Landing surface, obstructions, and other hazards should be considered.
4. Set proper landing configuration and adjust pitch attitude for speed and power for rate of decent.
5. Maintain a stabilized approach at recommended airspeed (Vso, +5/-0), trim as necessary.
6. Proper coordination of flight controls to maintain a precise ground track relative to runway centerline.
7. Be aware of and discuss wind shear and wake turbulence.
8. Use the most suitable crosswind technique.
9. Timing, judgment, and control technique during roundout and touchdown.
10. Touch down smoothly at approximately the stall speed, at or within 200 feet beyond a specified point, with no drift, and with the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with the runway centerline.
11. Maintain crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing.
12. Use maximum braking to stop in the shortest distance posible consistent with safety.
13. Complete the appropriate checklist.

Common Errors:

1. Improper use of landing performance data and limitations.
2. Attempting to land with crosswind exceeding ability.
3. Failure to establish approach and landing configuration at appropriate time or in proper sequence.
4. Failure to establish and maintain a stabilized approach.
5. Not compensating for the increased drag due to side slip (crosswind correction).
6. Improper technique in use of power, wing flaps, and trim.
7. Touchdown more than 200 feet beyond selected point.
8. Inappropriate removal of hand from throttle.
9. Improper technique during roundout and touchdown.
10. Poor directional control after touchdown.
11. Improper use of brakes.

References:

• FAA Private Pilot PTS
• Airplane Flying Handbook, pp 8-17 – 8-19

Notes:

First determine abort point, be ready for go around and when to stick the landing.
Density Altitude Makes All Fields Short.
Differences between short field no obstacle, obstacle clearance, and short with an obstacle.
Wake turbulence, windshear, collision avoidance.

Printer Fiendly