Objective:

To develop the skill and proficiency necessary to safely and accurately execute a soft field approach to landing and taxi after touchdown. The student should exercise good planning and judgment in order to have the airplane in a position and rate of descent so as to touchdown as slow and as softly as possible.

Elements:

  1. Determine landing performance and limitations for the aircraft at airfield of intended landing.
  2. Determine wind conditions and calculate crosswind component.
  3. Discuss elements related to a soft-field approach to landing.and the hazards associated.
  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 (1.3 Vso, +10/-5), trim as necessary.
  6. Proper coordination of flight controls to maintain a precise ground track relative to runway centerline.
  7. Be aware and discuss wind shear and wake turbulence.
  8. Use the most suitable crosswind technique.
  9. Use proper timing, judgment, and control technique during roundout and touchdown.
  10. Touchdown softly 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 minimum braking action on rollout.
  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. Inappropriate removal of hand from throttle.
  8. Failure to hold back elevator pressure after touchdown.
  9. Closing the throttle too soon and not landing softly.
  10. Poor directional control after touchdown.
  11. Improper use of brakes.

References:

  • FAA Private Pilot PTS
  • Airplane Flying Handbook, pp 8-19 – 8-20

Notes:

Always be ready for go-around!
Wake turbulence, windshear, collision avoidance.
Differences between grass, wet grass, snow, dirt, dry lakebeds, gravel, sand, and other surfaces.