Soft Field Landing      

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