Short Field Takeoff & Landing

Takeoff• Objective - Knowledge of

elements

• Positive and accurate control of aircraft with shortest ground roll and steepest angle of climb

• Proper airspeeds VR, VX, and VY

Takeoff

• Best angle of climb results in greatest gain of altitude for a given distance over the ground

• Speed deviations of +5/-0 can reduce climb performance significantly

Takeoff• Climb above obstacle or 50 ft

AGL before accelerating to VY by reducing pitch

Takeoff• Knowledge of performance

charts–Temperature Pressure

–runway length wind

–type of runway surface

–weight and condition of airplane

Takeoff• Associated Condition

–Power

–Mixture

–Flap Setting

Takeoff• Margin of Safety

–Remove fuel, people, or baggage

–Wait for different wind/or temperature

–Find a more experienced pilot

–Move airplane to a safer takeoff location

Takeoff• Perform Maneuver

• Position flight controls and flaps for the existing conditions–Crosswind - full deflection of

ailerons–Flaps set - verify visually

Takeoff

• Clear the area and position aircraft for maximum available takeoff area–traffic pattern and runway clear

–Back taxi to very beginning of runway

Takeoff–ground reference points

• Advance throttle to takeoff power, while holding the brakes–Recheck mixture and propeller high

RPM

–Add takeoff power avoiding engine surging, backfiring and

Takeoff–overboost situations and release

brakes smoothly–Monitor engine instruments for

malfunctions or indications of insufficient power

–Listen for engine roughness or power loss

Takeoff–Abort if indications are not normal–Check airspeed indicator and call

out airspeeds

• Rotate at the recommended speed–

Takeoff–Speed may vary with weight.

Check POH

–Rotation speed should be approximately 5 KTS below the lift off speed

Takeoff

–At VR smoothly apply back elevator pressure to raise the nose to the pitch attitude that will produce the best angle-of-climb airspeed VX

Takeoff–Do not attempt to raise the nose

until VR because this will create unnecessary drag

• Climb at the manufacturer’s recommended airspeed and configuration

Takeoff–low airspeed pitch too high

–higher airspeed pitch is too low

–on airspeed at optimum speed

–Learn pitch attitude - nose in relation to the horizon and attitude indicator

Takeoff–Maintain VX =5/-0 KTS

• After clearing the obstacle accelerate to VY +5/-5

• Retract the landing gear and flaps after a positive rate of climb or as recommended

Takeoff–Before retracting the gear, apply the

brakes to stop the rotation of the wheels

–Retract as recommended by the manufacturer

–Some recommend after a positive rate of climb,

Takeoff–some recommend after clearing the

obstacle–Generally not good to be looking in

the cockpit until obstacle clearance is assured

–In some airplanes, drag of gear is insignificant

Takeoff–Normally landing gear is retracted prior

to flap retraction–Flaps normally retracted when you are

clear of the obstacle and when VY is established

–Raise flaps in increments to avoid sudden loss of lift and settling of the airplane

Takeoff –Make pitch adjustment during

gear and flap retraction to maintain VY

• Maintain takeoff power to safe maneuvering altitude, then set climb power

Takeoff–After establishing VY, retracting

gear and flaps maintain takeoff power to 500 feet

–Reduce MP and RPM to climb power

–Maintain VY until 1000 feet transition to cruise climb

Takeoff

• Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout the takeoff and climb

Takeoff–Common error is to become

preoccupied with the short field takeoff and neglect crosswind correction

• Complete the appropriate checklists, both before takeoff and climb

Common Takeoff Errors• Failure to use the entire runway

• Improper positioning of the flight controls and wing flaps

• Improper engine operation during short field takeoff and climb out

Common Takeoff Errors

• Inappropriate removal of hand from throttle

• Poor directional control

• Improper use of brakes

Common Takeoff Errors• Improper pitch attitude during

liftoff

• Failure to establish and maintain proper climb configuration and airspeed

• Drift during climb out

Short Field Landing

• Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to a short field approach and landing–Short landing area or over an

obstacle that limits the available landing area

Short Field Landing–Precise, positive control of your

airplane’s rate of descent and airspeed to produce an approach that will clear obstacle, result in little or no float, and stop in the shortest possible distance

–Think ahead. Don’t land where you cannot takeoff

Short Field Landing

• Consider the wind conditions, landing surface and obstructions–Height of obstructions dictate

how steep the approach will have to be

Short Field Landing–Surface may affect the breaking distance–Headwind may shorten the distance–Know POH landing speed–Know landing distance–Pump brakes to insure you have brake

pressure

Short Field Landing

• Select the most suitable touchdown point–Select an aim point that will

allow you to clear obstacles and touch down with the greatest amount of runway available

Short Field Landing–Descent angle will be steeper than a

normal approach. Aim point will be closer to the obstacle

–Aim point will be short of the touchdown point

–Select a go around point, normally before descending below barriers

Landing ComparisonTemperature 15OC Pressure S.L.

Ground roll Over 50 foot Obstacle

C172 540 1280

Sundowner 703 1484

Bonanza 800 1300

Short Field Landing

• Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration and adjust power and pitch as required

Short Field Landing–After landing gear and flaps are

extended adjust power and pitch to give you the proper descent angle and airspeed

–Coordinated combination of pitch and power adjustments are required

Short Field Landing–Approach must be stabilized

–Avoid excessively slow airspeed

–Avoid low slow approaches

–Final approach from 3/4 to 1 mile from 500 feet

Short Field Landing

• Maintain a stabilized approach at the recommended airspeed or 1.3 VSO with a gust factor of +5/-5

Short Field Landing–Maintain glide path and airspeed

–Airspeed based on landing weight

–Reduce power while rounding out

Short Field Landing–After landing gear and flaps are

extended adjust power and pitch to give you the proper descent angle and airspeed

Short Field Landing–Coordinated combination of pitch

and power adjustments are required Approach must be stabilized

–Excess airspeed will cause floating and cause you to miss your touchdown spot

Short Field Landing• Make smooth, timely and

correct control applications during the round out and touchdown Remain aware of the possibility of wind shear and/or wake turbulence

Short Field Landing• Touch down at or within 100 feet

of the specified point, little or no float or drift with

• the longitudinal axis aligned with and over the center of the landing surface

Short Field Landing–Round out to avoid flying into the

ground or ballooning and stalling

–During round out reduce the throttle to idle

–Touch down within 100 feet of the specified point

Short Field Landing

• Maintain crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing Apply brakes to stop in the shortest distance

Short Field Landing–Once main gear are solidly on

the ground begin braking while maintaining full back elevator pressure

–Keep weight off nose gear

Short Field Landing–Some aircraft benefit from

retracting flaps but could cause you to misidentify a control and lead to a gear up landing

Short Field Landing

• Complete the appropriate checklists–BCGUMPS

–Check brakes

–After Landing checklist

Common Errors• Improper use of landing

performance data and limitations

• Failure to establish approach landing configuration at appropriate time or in proper sequence

Common Errors

• Failure to maintain a stabilized approach

• Improper technique in use of power, wing flaps and trim

Common Errors

• Improper removal of hand from throttle

• Improper technique during round out and touchdown

Common Errors

• Poor directional control after touchdown

• Improper use of brakes