Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IV, Task F

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Short-Field Approach and Landing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with short-field approach and landing with emphasis on proper use and coordination of flight controls.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
    0:05
    Part 2, Short-Field Approach and Landing:
    0:10
    Part 3, Short-Field Approach and Landing Risk Management:
    0:15
    Part 4, Short-Field Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):
    0:15
    Part 5, Conclude Lesson:
    0:10
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
    • Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap.
    • Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap.
    • Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario.

  • Motivator:

    • The goal of the short-field approach and landing is to maximize aircraft performance in order to safely and accurately land when runway distance is limited
      • The approach is made with minimum engine power commensurate with flying towards the aiming point on the runway
      • This will result in a steeper approach than otherwise flown with other landing procedures
      • Speed must be reduced progressively as the aircraft's height reduces, and after reaching the airspeed for final approach it must be maintained accurately. After touch-down, the pilot applies maximum wheel braking and maximum up-elevator. Wing-flaps are sometimes retracted to allow better braking performance
      • Tips:
        • Touchdown as close to the approach end as safely possible
        • Utilize maximum braking available
        • Keep tires on the ground to keep friction
        • Land into a headwind
        • Land as the lowest weight possible

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Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of obstacle clearance, stabilized approach, and touchdown-zone planning for limited landing distance.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply aircraft-specific touchdown and deceleration procedures without sacrificing directional control.
    • Have the student reject a landing when the planned stopping margin is no longer available.
    • Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
    • Review the airman certification standards (ACS).
    • Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of Short-Field Approach and Landing.
  • Part 2, Short-Field Approach and Landing:
    • Observe smooth, timely controls before, during, and after touchdown; maintain proper pitch, minimum float, no side drift, and centerline alignment within the ACS touchdown-zone tolerance, and correct deviations. (PA.IV.F.S9, PA.IV.F.S10)
    • Observe manufacturer-recommended landing configuration and braking while preserving directional control; identify and correct deviations to ACS standards. (PA.IV.F.S11)
    • Observe runway-incursion avoidance during rollout and exit, including position, signs, markings, and required clearances; identify and correct deviations to ACS standards. (PA.IV.F.S13)
    • Explain and apply stabilized-approach energy management using configuration, airspeed, descent rate, alignment, power, trim, and the ability to reach a suitable touchdown point without excessive correction. Relate excess flare speed to float and reduced stopping margin. (PA.IV.F.K1)
    • Apply temperature, density altitude, and wind effects to approach and landing performance; relate steady headwind or tailwind to touchdown groundspeed and landing distance. (PA.IV.F.K2)
    • Explain and demonstrate aircraft-appropriate wind correction through approach, roundout, touchdown, and rollout, maintaining alignment without side drift. (PA.IV.F.K3, PA.IV.F.S8)
    • Observe checklist completion, appropriate radio calls, correct runway alignment, and scanning of the runway and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions; identify and correct deviations to ACS standards. (PA.IV.F.S1, PA.IV.F.S2, PA.IV.F.S3, PA.IV.F.S4)
    • Observe selection and use of a suitable touchdown aim point considering wind, surface condition, and obstructions; identify and correct deviations to ACS standards. (PA.IV.F.S5)
    • Observe recommended configuration, airspeed, trim, pitch, and power for a stabilized approach, applying published approach speed or the ACS fallback and gust allowance; correct airspeed and path deviations to ACS standards. (PA.IV.F.S6, PA.IV.F.S7)
    • Observe a timely aircraft-specific go-around when approach tolerances or safety cannot be maintained; identify and correct control, configuration, and flightpath deviations to ACS standards. (PA.IV.F.S12)
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply short-field approach and landing.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply short-field approach and landing procedures.
    • Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply short-field approach and landing common errors.
  • Part 3, Short-Field Approach and Landing Risk Management:
    • Assess landing-surface effects on touchdown, braking, directional control, and stopping margin; resolve wet-runway uncertainty with applicable data or a changed plan rather than unsupported dry-runway assumptions. (PA.IV.F.R2, PA.IV.F.R2e)
    • Assess runway, surface, approach path, and touchdown-area suitability using pilot capability, weight-specific aircraft performance, limitations, available distance, and wind; justify margins, another runway, diversion, or go-around. (PA.IV.F.R1)
    • Resolve wind components using a common heading reference; distinguish demonstrated crosswind from an operating limit and pilot capability, and choose a conservative landing plan. (PA.IV.F.R2a)
    • Assess windshear hazards and choose delay, diversion, or aircraft-specific escape action; do not substitute an airliner windshear pitch target for the light airplane's guidance. (PA.IV.F.R2b)
    • Assess tailwind effects on touchdown groundspeed, stopping margin, and control; justify a different runway, added verified margin, or abandoning the landing. (PA.IV.F.R2c)
    • Assess wake retention and drift in light crosswinds; evaluate actual risk despite an ATC advisory, and use above-path or beyond-touchdown avoidance only with adequate remaining runway, otherwise choosing spacing, go-around, or another option. (PA.IV.F.R2d)
    • Assess rejected-landing hazards, including power, configuration, directional control, obstacles, and traffic; brief timely triggers and an aircraft-specific go-around path. Choose a go-around when the short-field approach cannot be recovered safely. (PA.IV.F.R3, PA.IV.F.R3a)
    • Assess LAHSO distance and control margins and decline when unable, unwilling, or not permitted; if accepted, plan to stop before the hold-short point even without an earlier exit, and reject an unsafe long landing while maintaining separation and communicating. (PA.IV.F.R3b)
    • Assess runway, approach, and adjacent-area collision hazards; maintain scanning, verify a clear landing path, and select spacing, go-around, or another landing option when needed. (PA.IV.F.R4)
    • Assess low-altitude stall, spin, and CFIT risks; preserve coordinated control and energy margin and choose an early go-around instead of forcing an unsafe approach. (PA.IV.F.R5)
    • Assess distraction, poor prioritization, disorientation, and lost-awareness hazards; reduce nonessential tasks, maintain an effective scan, and discontinue an approach when workload prevents safe control. (PA.IV.F.R6)
  • Part 4, Short-Field Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):
    • Conduct the guided scenario, requiring the learner to integrate landing-distance planning, stabilized-approach control, touchdown accuracy, braking, and go-around decisions.
  • Part 5, Conclude Lesson:
    • Relate the lesson to normal and soft-field approaches, landings, and go-around decision-making.
    • Tie lesson back to previous lessons to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
    • Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
    • Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
  • Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field Approach & Landing Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
Skills 13 ACS Elements
  • PA.IV.F.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PA.IV.F.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • PA.IV.F.S3:
    Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway.
  • PA.IV.F.S4:
    Scan the landing runway and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
  • PA.IV.F.S5:
    Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
  • PA.IV.F.S6:
    Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and trim, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach.
  • PA.IV.F.S7:
    Maintain manufacturer's published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots with gust factor applied.
  • PA.IV.F.S8:
    Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
  • PA.IV.F.S9:
    Make smooth, timely, and correct control application before, during, and after touchdown.
  • PA.IV.F.S10:
    Touch down at a proper pitch attitude within 200 feet beyond or on the specified point, threshold markings, or runway numbers, with no side drift, minimum float, and with the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway centerline.
  • PA.IV.F.S12:
    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.
  • PA.IV.F.S13:
    Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Short Field Approach and Landing requires disciplined planning, stabilized energy management, and precise control from the approach through touchdown and rollout.
    • Evaluating wind, runway conditions, obstacles, aircraft performance, and personal limitations helps pilots recognize when an approach remains safe and when a timely go-around is required.
    • Consistent airspeed control, runway alignment, traffic scanning, communication, and checklist discipline integrate aircraft handling with sound operational judgment.
    • Continued practice with Short Field Approach and Landing prepares private pilots for changing conditions and increasingly demanding landing scenarios in later training.

  • Closure:

    • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
    • To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.
    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.