CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations

CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Cessna Aircraft Short & Soft Field Takeoff & Landing Techniques CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Objectives / Content • For short- and soft-field takeoff and landing operations in CAP Cessna aircraft, review: – Standards (from ACS) – Procedures (from POH/AFM) – Techniques (from experience) – Risk management and decision-making for short- and soft-field operations CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 The information in this briefing is intended to serve as a departure point for discussion during CAP flight evaluations and transition training. It should not be interpreted or used as a substitute for the detailed information provided in the Airplane Flying Manual or Pilot’s Operating Handbook for each aircraft model. CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 ACS – Short-Field Takeoff Standards CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Short-Field Procedures (POH/AFM) Takeoff Landing For Your Specific Model Aircraft CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Short Field Takeoff Techniques • Use all available runway for takeoff • Set flaps per the POH • Use a Static Takeoff • Hold the brakes while setting takeoff power with yoke slightly aft of neutral to keep weight off nose wheel • After brake release, vary elevator control as necessary to maintain slightly nose high sight picture • Approaching rotation speed, the airplane should be firmly and smoothly lifted off the surface to a pitch attitude that will result in reaching obstacle clearance speed at 50’ AGL • The landing gear and flaps should remain in takeoff position until clear of obstacles (or as recommended by the manufacturer) 6 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Short Field Takeoff Common Errors • Improper use of flaps • Failure to use all available runway • Lift-off or rotation premature • Improper application of power • Poor directional control on takeoff • Brakes improperly used during takeoff • Failure to firmly rotate at the specified rotation speed and achieve Obstacle Clearance Speed at 50’ AGL per the POH • Failure to maintain appropriate climb speed 7 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 ACS – Short-Field Landing Standards CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Short Field Landing Techniques • In smooth air, use the airspeed and flap setting recommended in the POH with enough power to control glide path • In turbulent air, slightly higher airspeeds should be used • Once clear of obstacles, smoothly reduce power and maintain airspeed by lowering the nose • Touchdown should be made on the main wheels first with the power off • Immediately after touchdown, lower the nose and apply heavy braking as required (simulate heavy braking for training) • For maximum brake effectiveness, retract flaps and apply maximum brake pressure without sliding the tires 9 (Recommend not reconfiguring flaps until clear of runway to reduce risk of loss of control) CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Short Field Landing Common Errors • Required landing distance exceeds available runway length • Poor airspeed control • Landing configuration established late • Power control and monitoring inadequate • Unstable approach • Improper use of flaps • Failure to trim properly • Ignoring checklist • Hard impact or bounce at touchdown • Excessive brake application • Go-around situation not recognized 10 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Short Field Landing Errors 11 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Short Field Landing Errors 12 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Short Field Landing Errors 13 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 ACS – Soft-Field Takeoff Standards CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft-Field Procedures (POH/AFM) Takeoff Landing For Your Specific Model Aircraft CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft Field Takeoff Techniques • Taxi on soft surfaces with full aft yoke • Set flaps per the POH • Use a rolling takeoff (do not stop while setting takeoff power) with yoke slightly aft of neutral to keep weight off nose wheel • Smoothly increase power to maximum as airspeed increases • Vary elevator control as airspeed increases to maintain slightly nose high sight picture • Lift off at lowest possible airspeed and lower nose to accelerate in ground effect until a safe flap retraction speed is reached per the POH • If obstacles are present, accelerate in ground effect until reaching the obstacle clearance speed per the POH • Once obstacles are cleared, increase to a safe flap retraction speed per the POH 16 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Techniques - The Right Attitude 17 • Sight picture from cockpit for takeoff. • Note end of runway on nose. Very important: This attitude for takeoff and landing prevents tail strikes and provides a visual reference for directional control. Attitude for takeoff: • Note nose wheel just off ground • 7-8 degrees nose up CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Techniques - The Wrong Attitude 18 At this attitude, you cannot see the runway resulting in a tail strike. An attitude of 12.5 degrees will result in a tail strike CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft Field Takeoff Common Errors • Improper use of flaps • Airplane stopped on runway prior to takeoff • Improper application of power • Poor directional control on takeoff • Brakes improperly used during takeoff • Excessive pitch attitude • Drifting uncontrolled during initial climb • Touchdown inadvertently after lift-off 19 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft Field Takeoff Errors 20 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft Field Takeoff Errors 21 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 ACS – Soft-Field Landing Standards CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft Field Landing Techniques • Use a normal landing technique (i.e. flap setting appropriate for runway and wind conditions) • Hold the airplane 1-2’ off the surface as long as possible while dissipating airspeed. Add power to control descent rate. – Power controls rate of descent – Retarding power abruptly will result in a hard landing • Touch down at or near stall speed, under power with minimum sink, slightly tail low to prevent nosing over • Hold the nose wheel off the surface as long as possible • Taxi on soft surfaces with full aft yoke 23 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft Field Landing Common Errors • Required landing distance exceeds available runway length • Poor airspeed control • Landing configuration established late • Throttle closed too abruptly or quickly • Unstable approach • Improper use of flaps • Failure to trim properly • Excessive descent rate • Hard impact or bounce at touchdown • Nose wheel lowered prematurely • Brakes improperly used • Go-around situation not recognized 24 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft Field Landing Errors 25 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft Field Landing Errors 26 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft Field Landing Errors 27 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Soft Field Landing Errors 28 CAP – Cessna Short- and Soft-Field Operations 1 February 2017 Risk Management Reminders • Threshold Questions: – Do I really need to operate from a short or soft field? – If so, am I current, capable, and proficient in these operations? – Are there crosswind or gusty wind conditions? – Consider doing practice short/soft takeoffs and landings on a long, wide runway to have more options available in case things go sour • Reminders: – Establish & maintain a stabilized approach – Keep sight picture on end of the runway – Never attempt to save a landing – Make the go-around decision early – Instructor/Check Pilot must always guard the controls! 29