Short Field Landing

OBJECTIVE: To develop the pilot’s skill and knowledge of the short field landings.

ELEMENTS

How to determine landing performance and limitations
Configuration and trim
Proper use of pitch and power to maintain desired approach angle
Obstructions and other hazards which should be considered
Effect of wind
Selection of touchdown and go-around points
A stabilized approach at the recommended airspeed to the selected touchdown point
Coordination of flight controls
A precise ground track
Timing, judgment, and control procedure during roundout and touchdown
Directional control after touchdown
Use of brakes
Use of checklist

COMPLETION STANDARDS

Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to a short-field approach and landing
Considers the wind conditions, landing surface, obstructions, and selects the most suitable touchdown point
Establishes the recommended approach and landing configuration and airspeed; adjusts pitch attitude and power as required
Maintains a stabilized approach and recommended approach airspeed, or in its absence not more than 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots, with wind gust factor applied
Makes smooth, timely, and correct control application during the roundout and touchdown
Touches down smoothly at minimum control airspeed.
Touches down at or within 200 feet beyond a specified point, with no side drift, minimum float and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway center/landing path
Maintains crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing sequence
Applies brakes, as necessary, to stop in the shortest distance consistent with safety
Completes the appropriate checklist

COMMON ERRORS

Improper use of landing performance data and limitations
Failure to establish approach and landing configuration at appropriate time or in proper sequence
Failure to establish and maintain a stabilized approach
Improper procedure in use of power, wing flaps, and trim
Inappropriate removal of hand from throttle
Improper procedure during roundout and touchdown
Poor directional control after touchdown
Improper use of brakes

THINGS TO REMEMBER

Hand on throttle unless trimming until safe altitude
Walk field first, determine abort point and go-around or "roll off end" decision point
Chose point of no go-around: where rolling off the end is better than attempting late go-around.
Check Aircraft POH/AFM for flaps or gear retraction first
Density Altitude Makes All Fields Short
TRIM
Differences between short field no obstacle, obstacle clearance, and short with an obstacle.
Aim for the dirt, how far before runway threshold depends on learned float distance. Practice on runways with displaced thresholds and cooperative controllers.
Before choosing short field destination, calculate if able to depart from the short field with expected weather and temperature conditions for departure time
Clear of Runway: An aircraft is not clear of the runway until all parts of the aircraft, including tailfeathers, are on the other side of the hold short bars, even if that means protruding onto a taxiway. Once clear, stop and complete the after landing checklist, but not until then. While the controllers might use the aircraft crossing the white runway edge lines to launch the aircraft behind you, that is based on your continuing and crossing the hold short bars.

STUDY