Chicago Aviation

Length: 1.3 hours
Total Time: 32.5 hours

Back to dual training.. Today's lesson included special-use take-off and landings. There are two situations that require alternative TOL (Take off and landing) procedures. First is short field; second is soft field.

Short field landings are required when the runway doesn't allow enough distance for a 'normal' landing. There are many airstrips that are not paved, or in remote locations that will require these landings in order to fly in and out.

Basically, the idea of a short field takeoff is to get the plane airborne as soon as possible. Flaps and ground effect allow the plane to get to Vx (best increase of altitude over distance) while still allowing for short term altitude increase.

A soft field takeoff's main purpose is to keep the weight of the plane off of the wheels and onto the wings as quick as possible. Even while taxing to the runway, the elevator must be used to keep the tail down. For a soft field take off, the plane will start to wheelie down the runway before taking flight.

Same rules apply for landing. For a short field, the weight is moved from the wings to the wheels quickly (by retracting the wings) whereas a soft field landing leaves the weight on the wings to reduce the chances of planting the nose-wheel in the dirt. A soft field landing will also result in a wheelie, if executed properly.

The procedures aren't too awkward once the feel is known. Short landings can be done in approximately 500 - 750 feet opposed to 2x - 4x that amount.

While practicing with the instructor, everything was going well. I think I have these procedures down, but trying to perfect their execution is another thing..