Short-Field Approach and Landing

DEFINITION

Short-field approach and landing is a maximum performance operation in which precise, positive control of rate of descent and airspeed produce an approach that will clear any obstacles, result in little or no floating during roundout, and permit the airplane to be stopped in the shortest possible distance

SAFETY FACTORS

How to determine landing performance and limitations
POH, Section 5, Landing Distance, Short Field, Table (TR182) or
Landing Ground Roll and Landing Distance Over 50-Foot Barrier Figures (Tomahawk)
Add a safety factor (50-100%)
Barriers and other hazards which should be considered
Watch for other traffic
Scan area obstacles or barriers
Trees
Power lines
Selection of touchdown and go-around points
Select a touchdown aim point that allows obstacle clearance and landing as close as safely possible past runway threshold
Choose certain points where continue approach or go-around decision will be made (eg.: 100 feet AGL, over obstacle, just before roundout)
After touchdown: may be safest to leave flaps extended though flaps may be retracted for maximum brake effectiveness if necessary

TOLERANCES

Private Pilot PTS, XI D
Explain elements, including airspeed, configuration, and related safety factors
Consider obstructions, landing surface, and wind conditions
Select a suitable touchdown point
Establish short-field approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and descent angle
Maintain control of descent rate and recommended airspeed, +/- 5 knots, along the extended runway centerline
Touch down at or within 200 feet beyond a specified point, with minimum float, no appreciable drift, and the airplane longitudinal axis aligned with the runway centerline
Maintain directional control during the after-landing roll
Apply braking and controls, as necessary, to stop in the shortest distance consistent with safety
Commercial Pilot PTS, IX C, adds
Explain elements of maximum performance approach and landing
Maintain stabilized descent angle, precise control of descent rate, and recommended airspeed with gust correction applied, +/- 5 knots
Maintain precise ground track on final
Recognize and promptly correct deviations during approach and landing
Make smooth, timely, and precise control application during transition from approach to landing roundout (flare)
Touch down smoothly beyond and within 100 feet of a specified point, with no drift, and with the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with the runway centerline
Apply smooth braking, as necessary, to stop in the shortest distance consistent with safety Complete the after-landing checklist in a timely manner

OBJECTIVES

To develop the student's knowledge and skill in planning and performing safe short-field approaches and landings to meet the appropriate practical test standards
To develop the student's skill in achieving precise, positive control of rate of descent and airspeed to produce an approach that will clear any obstacles, result in little or no floating during roundout, and permit the airplane to be stopped in the shortest possible distance

PROCEDURES

Discuss elements of the short-field approach and landing
How to determine landing performance and limitations
Demonstrate a short-field approach and landing
Configuration and trim
Before-landing check

Same asnormal landing

TR182 short-field landing checklist
75+5 KIAS flaps up
Flaps - FULL < 95 KIAS
66 KIAS
Trim - adjust
Power - reduce to IDLEas obstacle cleared
Touchdown - main wheels first
Brakes - heavy
Flaps - retract for maximum brake effectiveness (if necessary)
Summary: full flaps, 66 KIAS approach, power off landing

Trim to relieve control pressures to maintain 66 KIAS (67 KIAS, Tomahawk) with full flaps

Proper use of pitch and power to maintain desired approach angle
Final should generally be started from an altitude at least 500 feet above and close enough to touchdown so that approach is relatively steep
With gear and full flaps extended, simultaneously adjust power and pitch to establish and maintain proper descent angle and airspeed
Coordinated combination of pitch and power adjustments is usually required
If too high and descent angle too shallow, reduce power and lower pitch to increase rate of descent
If obstacle clearance uncertain (too low or descent angle too steep), increase power and raise pitch to decrease rate of descent
Avoid excessively slow airspeed
Barriers and other hazards which should be considered
Effect of wind
POH, Section 5, Landing Figures, Table:
Tomahawk: Wind component part of figures
TR182:
Decrease landing distance 10% for each 9 kts headwind
For tailwinds up to 10 kts, increase landing distance by 10% for each 2 kts
In gusty air, add no more than one-half the gust factor to final approach speed
Selection of touchdown and go-around points
A stabilized approach at the recommended airspeed to the selected touchdown point
Stabilized approach is key to accurate short-field spot landing
Make slight power and pitch changes to maintain airspeed and descent angle
Coordination of flight controls
A precise ground track
On final, ground track should be along extended runway centerline
In crosswind, use wing-low method of drift correction
Timing, judgment, and control technique during roundout and touchdown
Final approach is steep and slow (closer to stall speed), so initiation of roundout must be judged accurately to avoid flying into the ground or stalling
Correct approach speed should result in proper touchdown with a minimum of floating
Touchdown should occur at minimum controllable airspeed at a pitch attitude that would produce a power-off stall
Directional control after touchdown
After touchdown, hold nose up as long as elevators remain effective (aerodynamic braking)
Use rudder, then steerable nosewheel, for directional control
Use of brakes
Aerodynamic braking first
Tomahawk POH:
Hold nosewheel off as long as possible.
Then gently lower nose and apply brakes.
For short-field landings, braking is most effective when flaps are raised and back pressure is applied to the control wheel, putting most of the weight on the main wheels.
When three wheels on runway, brakes should be applied evenly and firmly to minimize the landing roll
May be safest to leave flaps extended though flaps may be retracted for maximum brake effectiveness if necessary
Use of checklist

Repeat GUMP on final

Coach student practice
Critique student performance

COMMON ERRORS

Improper use of landing performance data and limitations
POH, Section 5, Landing Distance Table and Figures
Add a safety factor
Do not attempt a landing beyond airplane or pilot capabilities
Failure to establish approach and landing configuration at appropriate time or in proper sequence

Use checklist

Failure to establish and maintain a stabilized approach

Make small changes to maintain airspeed and descent angle

Improper technique in use of power, wing flaps, and trim
Power + pitch for airspeed and descent angle
Full flaps
Trim to relieve control pressures to stabilize approach
Inappropriate removal of hand from throttle
Improper technique during roundout and touchdown

SeeNormal and Crosswind Approach and Landing Lesson Plan

Poor directional control after touchdown
Improper use of brakes