SHORT FIELD LANDING
Description
Maximum performance landing where the landing area is short
or restricted by obstructions.
Objective
To teach techniques necessary for a short field landing to
avoid obstructions or minimize ground roll.
Elements
·
Clear the area
·
Choose forced landing area (should be runway)
·
Configure aircraft for normal approach and begin descent as
normal
·
Select outside references (e.g. runway numbers)
·
Clear area, then turn to final (≤30° bank)
·
On final: remaining flaps (C172RG: 30º)
when runway is assured, CCGUMPS check
·
Select aim point (e.g. before runway numbers)
·
Adjust pitch and power to maintain short field approach speed
and relatively steep descent angle of 1.3 VSO or as specified (C172RG: 63 KIAS)
·
Trim to relieve control pressures
·
Make sure feet are not on brakes
·
Insure stabilized approach from 500’ AGL
·
10-20’ off ground: reduce throttle to idle
·
Gradually apply back pressure to pitch for landing attitude:
(don’t fly into ground effect, cut through it!) when passing aim point,
adjusting pitch for climb attitude just above horizon
·
Touchdown on main gear at minimum controllable airspeed with
little or no float, just above a power-off stall, touchdown at selected
point beyond and within 100’
·
Maintain pitch attitude for aerodynamic braking
·
Smoothly relax back pressure to quickly lower nose wheel
·
Flaps up (simulate, necessary to put more weight on gear)
·
Heavy braking as required (simulate)
Include a discussion on performance charts and other landing
scenarios. Keep one hand on throttle. Discuss steeper than normal approach.
Emphasize brakes only after touchdown, but simulated for practice landings. A
wider than normal pattern can be used to give time to configure the airplane.
Common Errors
·
Failure to allow enough room on final to set up the approach,
necessitating an overly steep approach and high sink rate
·
Unstabilized approach
·
Undue delay in initiating glidepath corrections
·
Too low an airspeed on final resulting in inability to flare
properly and landing hard
·
Too high an airspeed resulting in floating on roundout
·
Prematurely reducing power to idle on roundout resulting in hard
landing
·
Touchdown with excessive airspeed
·
Excessive and/or unnecessary braking after touchdown
·
Failure to maintain directional control
References
FAA-H-8083-3A Airplane Flying Handbook p. 8-17