Soft field landing procedure
Objectives
- To develop the pilot’s skill and knowledge with soft field approach and landings.
Why?
- Opens up more destinations that require this technique.
- Develops ability to judge landings accurately.
Link
Review questions
- What are the advantage of Flap extension during landings ?
- How do you control your airspeed on the approach?
- What does it mean if during descent a reference point is moving up on the windshield?
- What wheel should touch the ground first?
Soft field landing: Basic Theory
- The objective of soft field landing is to ease the weight of the airplane from the wing to the landing gear as gently and slowly as possible while keeping the nose wheel off the soft surface during most of the landing roll.
- This technique will prevent the nose wheel from sinking into the soft surface and reduce the possibility of an abrupt stop during the landing roll.
- Used on soft or rough field.
- Touch down at slowest possible speed.
Soft field landing without obstacle: procedure
The circuit for a short field landing is the same as the normal landing up to the final approach.
- Control the descent with power.
- Lower the nose to maintain 1.3Vso or normal approach speed (check POH for manufacter recommended approach speed).
- Full falps (check POH)
- Maintain constant descent rate.
- Hold the airplane one to two feet above the surface as long as possible to dissipate forward speed.
- Touchdown on main wheel first and hold nose wheel off with back elevator and power as long as possible.
- Use power in order to taxi without getting stuck in the soft field.
- Avoid braking to prevent execessive loads on nose gear.
Soft field landing with obstacle: procedure
- Reduce power.
- Full flaps (check POH)
- Maintain a constant descent path over the obstacle.
- After clearing the obstacle adjust the pitch for airpseed.
- Add power in flare.
- Touchdown on main wheel first and hold nose wheel off.
- Use power in order to taxi without getting stuck in the soft field.
- Avoid braking to prevent execessive loads on nose gear.
Review questions
- Do we keep power on or off for a soft field landing?
- During a soft field landing, why should you hold the airplane one to two feet above ground as long as possible?
- Why do we hold back pressure after a soft field landing?
