Performance Takeoffs and Landings

Objectives

  • Learn the procedures for short and soft field takeoffs, climbs, approaches, and landings

  • Review ground reference maneuvers, slow flight, and stall recognition

  • Ensure the student is confident and competent to fly the second supervised solo in the pattern

  • Learn how to forward slip to manage the descent path, and bleed off altitude

Session Details

In this session we introduce the performance takeoffs and landings, also known as short/soft field takeoffs and landings. These maneuvers require a higher precision of flying and the ACS places specific demands on the performance of the pilot.

It is critical to understand when and why these takeoffs and landings are needed so a short ground session before the flight is needed. This ground instruction is to familiarize the student with the techniques, and to make crystal clear the requirements. It will also cover related concerns such as slow flight and stall recognition.

In the course of flying high-performance landings, there are times when the ability to greatly steepen the approach path without increasing airspeed is beneficial. So in this session we will also introduce the forward slip.

Resources/References

Lesson Plans

These are individual lesson plans, keyed to the ACS, which discuss the topics included in this flight lesson. Each of the references below will have further references to additional FAA documents which address the individual topics in depth.

  • 7.B : Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb

  • 7.C : Soft-Field Takeoff and Climb

  • 7.G : Slip to a Landing

  • 7.H : Go Around or Rejected Landing

  • 7.I : Short Field Approach and Landing

  • 7.J : Soft Field Approach and Landing