Lesson Overview

The student has the knowledge and ability to perform a soft field approach and landing as necessary based on the ACS/PTS with and without a crosswind.

References : Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C, page(s) 8-21), POH/AFM

Key Elements

  1. Extend the approach in Ground Effect

  2. Transfer weight from wings to wheels

  3. Maintain Back Pressure
Elements

  1. Objective

  2. Determining Landing Performance and Limitations

  3. Approach

  4. Landing

  5. After Landing Roll/Taxi
Schedule

  1. Discuss Objectives

  2. Review material

  3. Development

  4. Conclusion
Equipment

  1. White board and markers

  2. References
IP Actions

  1. Discuss lesson objectives

  2. Present Lecture

  3. Ask and Answer Questions

  4. Assign homework
SP Actions

  1. Participate in discussion

  2. Take notes

  3. Ask and respond to questions
Completion Standards

The student can demonstrate knowledge of, and has shown proficiency in Soft Field approaches and landings, without the assistance of a flight instructor. The student can judge when to begin the flare, when to add power to the flare and can correct for any misjudgments. Finally, the student understands when to go-around and demonstrates the proper use of checklists, traffic scan and pertinent safety procedures.

Instructor Notes

Attention

How awesome would it be, once you get your private pilot license, to take a flying adventure and land in the wilderness or on a remote island, in the middle of nowhere using a dirt or sand strip?
Overview

Review Objectives and Elements/Key ideas
What

Landing on fields that are rough or have soft surfaces, such as snow, sand, mud, or tall grass.
Why

It is important to learn to land on soft field runways in order to ensure a safe landing. A normal landing on a runway like this could result in damage to the gear or the entire plane. By learning to safely set a plane down on different surfaces the pilot has many more airport available landing fields. In the case of an emergency landing this maneuver will be very important in making a safe landing.

Lesson Details

When making a soft-field landing, the objective is to touch down as smoothly as possible, and at the slowest possible landing speed consistent with the purposes of the maneuver (i.e. not the absolute slowest possible speed for the aircraft). The pilot must control the plane in a manner that the wings support the weight of the plane as long as practical to minimize drag and the stresses imposed on the landing gear by the rough or soft surface.

Soft Field Landing

Determining Landing Performance and Limitations

The details regarding landing performance can be found in Section 5 of the standard modern POH/AFM. This includes details on landing distance as well as crosswind limitations.

It should be remembered that a headwind is going to decrease the landing distance, and that a tailwind will increase the distance. Consider the condition of the surface (i.e. hard packed turf, wet grass, high grass, etc.). Knowing the condition can inform the pilot as to exactly what effects will be encountered during the landing.

Approach

The approach is similar to a normal approach, except that the aircraft is held 1 to 2 feet off the surface as long as possible to allow the wheels to gently touch down at minimum airspeed. Consider, also, that many soft fields are also short fields and plan accordingly. Specifically, if it is a short field approach at the short field airspeed, otherwise use the normal approach speed.

On downwind perform the before landing checklist and configure the aircraft appropriately. Flaps will aid in reducing touchdown speed and are recommended whenever available. However, a low-wing airplane may incur damage to the flaps from mud, rocks, slush, or other foreign objects.

A stabilized approach should be maintained, and airspeed control is critical. An airspeed higher than desired can extend the float, which can make a smooth and controlled touchdown more difficult. Once established, trim the aircraft for the descent.

For a soft-field (when there are no short-field considerations) there is no need for a particularly steep descent. Therefore a normal descent angle is desired.

The landing area should be free of obstructions, and be as smooth and flat as possible. It should provide enough distance to safely roll to a stop. Plan for a longer glide in the landing, and move the aim point to a somewhat earlier place in front of the landing area than normal.

As always, maintain coordination during the approach and landing, especially when turning base to final. Never exceed 30° of bank (with a sideslip in the case of a crosswind being the one exception to this rule).

Again, as always, consider the impact of the wind and fly precisely the desired ground track. Use crosswind techniques and sideslip into the wind to maintain the runway extended centerline. Don’t forget to use your checklists!

Landing

The major difference between the soft field and normal landings is that the approach is extended to 1 to 2 feet above the ground, and then the aircraft is held in ground effect as long as possible. This is done by using the same technique as is used in a normal landing, but add partial power during the roundout and touchdown to extend the approach and allow for a gentle touchdown.

The aircraft should be flown onto the ground with the weight fully supported by the wings. This permits a more gradual dissipation of forward speed and allows the wheels to touch down gently at a minimum speed. This has the added effect of reducing the nose-over forces that may come to bear on the aircraft during the touchdown.

Touchdown

The touchdown should be made at the slowest possible airspeed (consistent with the purposes of the maneuver), with the aircraft in a nose-high pitch attitude. Increase the back pressure to make the touchdown as gently as possible, avoiding a firm touchdown.

Power can be increased slightly just prior to touchdown in order to cushion the landing and assist in slowly transferring the weight from the wings to the wheels. The amount of power added will vary depending upon the surface (i.e. tall thick grass has more drag, and will need more power versus dirt which has less drag and will need less power). When the main wheels touch maintain back pressure to keep the nose wheel off the surface. As the aircraft slows increase back pressure to continue to hold the nose wheel off as long as possible.

Directional control is maintained by diligent use of rudders throughout the touchdown. At any time during the transition phase, before the weight is being supported by the wheels, the pilot should be able to apply full power and perform a safe takeoff (obstacle and field length permitting).

Once slowed, safe, and under control the pilot can allow the nose wheel to gently lower to the ground. Power can also be used to moderate the speed at which the nose wheel descends.

After Landing Roll/Taxi

Once rolling on the surface continue to maintain full aft back pressure as well as wind correction. Brakes should be avoided on soft surfaces as use can add excessive load on the nose gear causing it to possibly dig in. Braking on a soft field is normally accomplished by surface friction.

Always maintain enough speed to prevent becoming bogged down. An increase in power to overcome surface drag may be needed to keep the aircraft moving. But, of course, taxiing too fast can cause problems as well.

Retracting flaps can also help put more weight on the wheels, but raising flaps is secondary to maintaining full control of the aircraft. Delay performing the after-landing checklist until the aircraft is parked.

Common Errors:

  • Improper use of landing performance data and limitations

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

  • Failure to establish and maintain a stabilized approach

  • Failure to consider the effect of wind and landing surface

  • Improper procedure in use of power, wing flaps, or trim

  • Inappropriate removal of hand from throttle

  • Improper procedure during roundout and touchdown

  • Failure to hold back elevator pressure after touchdown

  • Closing the throttle too soon after touchdown

  • Poor directional control after touchdown

  • Improper use of brakes

Conclusion

A soft field landing is very similar to a normal landing except that our main goal is to transfer the weight from the wings to wheels as gently as possible. When doing this it is also important to hold the nose wheel off the ground, slowly and gently bringing it to the surface.

ACS Requirements

To determine that the applicant:

  1. Exhibits instructional knowledge of the elements of a soft-field approach and landing by describing:

    1. How to determine landing performance and limitations.

    2. Configuration and trim.

    3. Obstructions and other hazards which should be considered.

    4. Effect of wind and landing surface.

    5. Selection of a touchdown area.

    6. A stabilized approach at the recommended airspeed to the selected touchdown point.

    7. Coordination of flight controls.

    8. A precise ground track.

    9. Timing, judgment, and control procedure during roundout and touchdown.

    10. Touchdown in a nose-high pitch attitude at minimum safe airspeed.

    11. Proper use of power.

    12. Directional control after touchdown.

    13. Use of checklist.

    14. After landing runway incursion avoidance procedures.

  2. Exhibits instructional knowledge of common errors related to a soft-field approach and landing by describing:

    1. Improper use of landing performance data and limitations.

  3. Failure to establish approach and landing configuration at appropriate time or in proper sequence.

    1. Failure to establish and maintain a stabilized approach.

    2. Failure to consider the effect of wind and landing surface.

    3. Improper procedure in use of power, wing flaps, and trim.

    4. Inappropriate removal of hand from throttle.

    5. Improper procedure during roundout and touchdown.

    6. Failure to hold back elevator pressure after touchdown.

    7. Closing the throttle too soon after touchdown.

    8. Poor directional control after touchdown.

    9. Improper use of brakes.

  4. Demonstrates and simultaneously explains a soft-field approach and landing from an instructional standpoint.

  5. Analyzes and corrects simulated common errors related to a soft-field approach and landing.

Private Pilot ACS Skills Standards

  1. Complete the appropriate checklist.

  2. Make radio calls as appropriate.

  3. Ensure the aircraft is aligned with the correct/assigned runway

  4. Scan the landing runway and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions

  5. Consider the wind conditions, landing surface, obstructions, and select a suitable touchdown point.

  6. Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration and airspeed, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach.

  7. Maintain manufacturer’s published airspeed, or in its absence, not more than 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots, with wind gust factor applied.

  8. Maintain crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing sequence.

  9. Make smooth, timely, and correct control inputs during round out and touchdown and, for tricycle gear airplanes, keep the nose wheel off the surface until loss of elevator effectiveness.

  10. Touch down with minimum sink rate, no side drift, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with the centerline of the runway.

  11. Maintain elevator as recommended by manufacturer during rollout and exit the “soft” area at a speed that would preclude sinking into the surface.

  12. Execute a timely go-around if the approach cannot be made within the tolerances specified above or for any other condition that may result in an unsafe approach or landing.

  13. Maintain proper position of the flight controls and sufficient speed to taxi on the soft surface.

Commercial Pilot ACS Standards

Same as the Private Pilot, except:

  1. Maintain manufacturer’s published airspeed, or in its absence, not more than 1.3 VSO, +/-5 knots, with wind gust factor applied.