Soft Field Landing      

OBJECTIVE: To develop the pilot’s skill and knowledge with soft field approach and landings.

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ELEMENTS

• How to determine landing performance and limitations 
  
• Configuration and trim 
  
• Obstructions and other hazards which should be considered 
  
• Effect of wind and landing surface 
  
• Selection of a touchdown area 
  
• A stabilized approach at the recommended airspeed to the selected touchdown area 
  
• Coordination of flight controls 
  
• A precise ground track 
  
• Timing, judgment, and control procedure during roundout and touchdown 
  
• Touchdown in a nose-high pitch attitude at minimum safe airspeed 
  
• Proper use of power 
  
• Directional control after touchdown 
  
• Use of checklist 
  

COMPLETION STANDARDS

• Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to a soft-field approach and landing 
  
• Considers the wind conditions, landing surface and obstructions, and selects the most suitable touchdown area 
  
• Establishes the recommended approach and landing configuration, and airspeed; adjusts pitch attitude and power as required 
  
• Maintains a stabilized approach and recommended 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 softly with no drift, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with the run-way/landing path 
  
• Maintains crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing. 
  
• Maintains proper position of the flight controls and sufficient speed to taxi on the soft surface 
  
• Completes the appropriate checklist 

COMMON ERRORS

• Improper use of landing performance data and limitations 
  
• Failure to establish approach and landing configuration at proper time or in proper sequence 
  
• Failure to establish and maintain a stabilized approach 
  
• Failure to consider the effect of wind and landing surface 
  
• Improper procedure in use of power, wing flaps, or trim 
  
• Inappropriate removal of hand from throttle 
  
• Improper procedure during roundout and touchdown 
  
• Failure to hold back elevator pressure after touchdown 
  
• Closing the throttle too soon after 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 
  
• Check Aircraft POH/AFM for flaps or gear retraction first 
  
• TRIM! 
  
• Differences between grass, wet grass, snow, dirt, dry lakebeds, gravel, sand, and other surfaces. 
  

STUDY

• POH/AFM 
  
• “Airplane Flying Handbook” Ch. 7 & 8 
  
• FAA Pamphlets FAA-P-8740-48, -49, -50 “On Landings Part I, II, & III”