How to Takeoff and Land on a Soft Runway
While taxiing, apply full back pressure on the yoke (pull it towards you) to relieve the pressure on the nose wheel., If you can, don't stop at the hold short line (only if you have permission to do so and traffic conditions allow for it)., Once you...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: While taxiing
Keep the braking to a minimum as much as possible so you can keep your inertia.
Depending on conditions you may want to lower your flaps to 10° at this point. -
Step 2: apply full back pressure on the yoke (pull it towards you) to relieve the pressure on the nose wheel.
Always obey the controller if at a towered airport.
Look for traffic approaching to land.
Lower the flaps to 10° if you haven't already.
When all is clear, radio the tower or announce your intentions on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF).
CTAF is used at non-towered airports or when the tower is closed. ,, As soon as you are lined up, smoothly apply full power and continue to hold the yoke back. , Continue to hold back pressure to keep the nose wheel off the ground.
The cowling should be aligned with the horizon. , Quickly, but smoothly, apply forward pressure to lower the nose.
The plane is off the ground but does not have enough lift to fly.
This is called Ground Effect.
It feels as if the plane is flying on a cushion of air between the wings and the ground (although this is not really the case at all--that feeling is caused by the ground interfering with the wingtip vortices/down wash, reducing overall drag and therefore increasing airplane performance).
If you go too high, you will lose this cushion, the drag will increase thus decreasing airplane performance and lift, and you may crash.
Try to keep you altitude above the runway approximately equal to your wingspan. , You will feel like you are flying in a nose low pitch attitude--and you are! , This information can be found in your Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). ,, Don't forget to lower 10° of flaps. ,, Once you have the runway made, pull the throttle to idle. , Adding a little power at this point allows you slow your decent rate, and keeps you from slamming into the ground and flipping the plane.
It also allows you to touch down at a slower airspeed making for a softer landing. ,, Allow it to settle on its own. , You may need enough speed to avoid settling and getting stuck
- use caution! -
Step 3: If you can
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Step 4: don't stop at the hold short line (only if you have permission to do so and traffic conditions allow for it).
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Step 5: Once you have obtained clearance (only at towered airports)
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Step 6: taxi onto the runway and align on the center-line.
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Step 7: Do not stop.
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Step 8: The nose will begin to rise.
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Step 9: The plane will takeoff on its own.
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Step 10: As the speed increases
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Step 11: you will need to apply even more forward pressure on the yoke.
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Step 12: Once you reach a safe airspeed (usually the best rate of climb also known as Vy)
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Step 13: raise the nose and climb
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Step 14: maintaining Vy.
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Step 15: Enter the pattern as you would at any airport after contacting the tower or announcing your position on the CTAF.
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Step 16: Fly the standard traffic pattern
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Step 17: beginning your descent on the downwind leg abeam the touchdown point of the runway.
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Step 18: When the runway is 45° over your shoulder
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Step 19: turn base and lower another 10° of flaps.
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Step 20: Turn final to align the plane with the runway and lower flaps completely (30° or 40° depending on the aircraft).
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Step 21: Once you are a couple feet above the runway
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Step 22: gently flare and add a little bit of power.
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Step 23: As soon as the main gear touches the runway
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Step 24: pull the power back to idle.
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Step 25: Apply full back pressure on the yoke to keep the nose wheel off the ground.
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Step 26: Holding full back pressure
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Step 27: taxi off the runway to make room for other traffic.
Detailed Guide
Keep the braking to a minimum as much as possible so you can keep your inertia.
Depending on conditions you may want to lower your flaps to 10° at this point.
Always obey the controller if at a towered airport.
Look for traffic approaching to land.
Lower the flaps to 10° if you haven't already.
When all is clear, radio the tower or announce your intentions on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF).
CTAF is used at non-towered airports or when the tower is closed. ,, As soon as you are lined up, smoothly apply full power and continue to hold the yoke back. , Continue to hold back pressure to keep the nose wheel off the ground.
The cowling should be aligned with the horizon. , Quickly, but smoothly, apply forward pressure to lower the nose.
The plane is off the ground but does not have enough lift to fly.
This is called Ground Effect.
It feels as if the plane is flying on a cushion of air between the wings and the ground (although this is not really the case at all--that feeling is caused by the ground interfering with the wingtip vortices/down wash, reducing overall drag and therefore increasing airplane performance).
If you go too high, you will lose this cushion, the drag will increase thus decreasing airplane performance and lift, and you may crash.
Try to keep you altitude above the runway approximately equal to your wingspan. , You will feel like you are flying in a nose low pitch attitude--and you are! , This information can be found in your Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). ,, Don't forget to lower 10° of flaps. ,, Once you have the runway made, pull the throttle to idle. , Adding a little power at this point allows you slow your decent rate, and keeps you from slamming into the ground and flipping the plane.
It also allows you to touch down at a slower airspeed making for a softer landing. ,, Allow it to settle on its own. , You may need enough speed to avoid settling and getting stuck
- use caution!
About the Author
Diana Green
Specializes in breaking down complex hobbies topics into simple steps.
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