Subcribe and stay connected

The short field landing is executed differently in two ways, sometimes three. Let’s talk about the two ways it is different.

First, we approach at a slightly slower airspeed. Usually, we’d fly at 1.3 Vso on the approach, but here we’ll fly at 1.2 Vso. That means 3-5 knots slower, typically, for smaller aircraft. This matters because we have less energy going into the landing, meaning a faster transition to touchdown and less speed to dissipate with braking.

Second, touchdown and braking. For the ACS (airmen certification standards) you have 0 + 200 feet to hit your landing mark. That means right on the line and forward 200 feet. No less, no more.

The white touchdown stripes on larger runways are 150 feet long. Imagine another third of that, and you’ve got your target. Putting it in the white guarantees you made it. Any more than that, and you’re right on the edge.

While it’s possible to touch down softly here, that’s not the main goal. While we won’t break the airplane, we’re going to allow it to come down firmly if needed so we can get to braking. Don’t slam it on, but don’t try and hold it off forever and eat up too much distance. Besides, you’ll be approaching at a slower speed and this thing isn’t going to want to float much. Distance matters a LOT in this case. Duh, it’s a short field!

Now we do max braking. In the case of flight training, we do ‘simulated’ max braking. That means we don’t do the kind of braking as if it were all on the line. Why? To save the school from buying new brakes and tires every few flights.

Aerodynamic braking is perhaps the best method to brake. It means as soon as you’ve touched down and you have brake pressure, apply back pressure on the yoke, so the elevator is deflected upward. This causes a lot of extra drag. Time it correctly with brake application so as to not lift off the runway. You should be slow enough already so that won’t be much of an issue.

Third, which we didn’t mention before, was the potential need to land OVER a 50-foot obstacle. That means you can either slip into the runway or plan a steeper approach.

If you land on your target, and stop well, you’ve accomplished a solid short field landing!

AUTHOR

Chris Palmer

Chief Flight Instructor and President of Angle of Attack. Founded in 2006.

ON THE SAME TOPIC

FAA PPL Written Test Scheduling Guide

Are you ready to take the next step in your aviation journey by scheduling your FAA PPL written test? An essential milestone for any pilot is passing the FAA PPL (Private Pilot License)  written test. Understanding the ins and outs of scheduling this exam is crucial for a smooth experience. In this guide, we’ll walk …

FAA PPL Written Test Scheduling Guide »

Read more

Student Pilot Precision Pattern Practice & Tactics

  In this episode, Chris and Sienna head out to pound the pattern. Just like an athlete in the gym, getting reps in around the pattern is one of the few ways for student pilots like Sienna to become more comfortable landing and managing the airplane in one of the most critical stages of flight. …

Student Pilot Precision Pattern Practice & Tactics »

Read more

Collision Avoidance, What are your Pilot Responsibilities?

Collision avoidance in aviation is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety of both passengers and crew aboard an aircraft. It involves several strategies and systems that help in preventing mid-air collisions, ground collisions, and other accidents. Pilots play a pivotal role in the execution of collision avoidance measures, utilizing advanced technology, effective communication, and …

Collision Avoidance, What are your Pilot Responsibilities? »

Read more

What Are Hazardous Attitudes in Aviation?

In the aviation domain, safe operation is a cardinal priority, vital for protecting life, property, and the environment. The FAA recognizes that while technical error contributes to unsafe conditions, human attitudes significantly influence decision-making and behavior, thereby affecting overall flight safety. Five hazardous attitudes have been identified that can compromise safety in aviation: anti-authority, impulsivity, …

What Are Hazardous Attitudes in Aviation? »

Read more

Stay Connected

Be the very first to get notified when we publish new flying videos, free lessons, and special offers on our courses.

YOUR FLYING JOURNEY STARTS HERE

ENROLL IN YOUR PRIVATE PILOT COURSES NOW