Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough Field Approach and Landing Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with soft-field approach and landing with emphasis on proper use and coordination of flight controls.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Introduction
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Schedule:
Topic:Time:Part 1, Introduction:0:05Part 2, Soft/Rough Field Approach and Landing:0:10Part 3, Soft/Rough Field Approach and Landing Risk Management:0:15Part 4, Soft/Rough Field Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):0:15Part 5, Conclude Lesson:0:10Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research 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.
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Motivator:
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Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Weight and Balance worksheet.
- Pilot Information/Operating Handbook.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 93.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Airman Certification Standards:
- Hard copies of the ACS and Oral Exam Guides are available on Amazon.
- Digital copies of the ACS are available on the FAA's website.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Instructor Actions
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Introduce Soft/Rough Field Approach and Landing.
- Part 2, Soft/Rough Field Approach and Landing:
- Part 3, Soft/Rough Field Approach and Landing Risk Management:
- Part 4, Soft/Rough Field Approach and Landing Guided Scenario(s):
- Part 5, Conclude Lesson:
- Relate lesson to power-on stalls.
- 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) Soft Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
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- Related scenarios:
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Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Student Actions
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Ask pertinent questions.
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft Field Approach & Landing Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with soft-field approach and landing with emphasis on proper use and coordination of flight controls
- References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
PA.IV.D.K1:
A stabilized approach, to include energy management concepts. -
PA.IV.D.K2:
Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance. -
PA.IV.D.K3:
Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
PA.IV.D.R1:
Selection of runway based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind. -
PA.IV.D.R2:
Effects of:-
PA.IV.D.R2a:
Crosswind. -
PA.IV.D.R2b:
Windshear. -
PA.IV.D.R2c:
Tailwind. -
PA.IV.D.R2d:
Wake turbulence. -
PA.IV.D.R2e:
Landing surface/condition.
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PA.IV.D.R3:
Planning for:-
PA.IV.D.R3a:
Rejected landing and go-around. -
PA.IV.D.R3b:
Land and hold short operations (LAHSO).
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PA.IV.D.R4:
Collision hazards. -
PA.IV.D.R5:
Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
PA.IV.D.R6:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
PA.IV.D.S1:
Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
PA.IV.D.S2:
Make radio calls as appropriate. -
PA.IV.D.S3:
Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway. -
PA.IV.D.S4:
Scan the landing runway and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions. -
PA.IV.D.S5:
Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind, landing surface, and obstructions. -
PA.IV.D.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.D.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.D.S8:
Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing. -
PA.IV.D.S9:
Make smooth, timely, and correct control inputs during the round out and touchdown, and, for tricycle gear airplanes, keep the nose wheel off the surface until loss of elevator effectiveness. -
PA.IV.D.S10:
Touch down at a proper pitch attitude with minimum sink rate, no side drift, and with the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with the center of the runway. -
PA.IV.D.S11:
Maintain elevator as recommended by manufacturer during rollout and exit the "soft" area at a speed that would preclude sinking into the surface. -
PA.IV.D.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.D.S13:
Maintain proper position of the flight controls and sufficient speed to taxi while on the soft surface.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft Field Approach & Landing Lesson Plan Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
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Closure:
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning 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.