Objectives:
Upon completion of this lesson, the student will:
•	Be able to safely perform short and soft field takeoffs and maximum performance climbs.
•	Be able to safely perform short and soft field approaches and landings.
Note: The student should have some experience with normal takeoffs and landings prior to attempting short and soft field operations.
Elements:
•	Takeoffs and Landings from (simulated) short soft runways.
•	Maximum performance climbs (VX) over obstacles on takeoff.
•	Maximum performance approaches. 
Schedule:
•	Pre-lesson briefing					00:10
•	Preflight						00:10
•	Practice short and soft field takeoffs and landings	00:50
•	Post-flight procedures					00:10
•	Post-lesson debriefing					00:10
Total:	01:30
Equipment:
•	POH and/or appropriate checklists for aircraft to be flown.
•	Chalkboard and or model for demonstration of techniques.
Instructor Actions:
1.	Pre-lesson briefing
•	Present objective for the lesson.
•	Describe what will take place during the lesson.
•	Describe reasons for learning short and soft field techniques.
•	Discuss procedures for short field takeoffs (see Student Actions - 3)
•	Discuss procedures for short field landings (see Student Actions - 4)
•	Discuss procedures for soft field takeoffs (see Student Actions  - 5)
•	Discuss procedures for soft field landings (see Student Actions – 6)
•	Review slipping and crabbing approaches if there is a crosswind.
2.	Preflight
3.	Short Field Takeoff Procedures
•	Demonstrate the procedure.
•	Coach student on proper use of flight controls while taxiing and during takeoff roll.
•	Have student use all available runway for takeoff.
•	Coach student on appropriate flap setting for short field takeoff as specified in the POH for the aircraft being used.
•	Ensure student checks engine gauges after smoothly applying power (oil pressure, temperature and RPM) while holding airplane with brakes.
•	Ensure student re-checks engine gauges and airspeed while beginning roll.
•	Coach student on holding the centerline during takeoff roll and to rotate at the appropriate airspeed.
•	Coach student on climbing at VX until reaching an altitude of 100 feet and then transitioning to a VY climb and holding runway heading or complying with applicable noise abatement procedures.
•	Coach student through the post departure checklist for the aircraft (gear up, flaps up, fuel pump, prop setting, etc.).
4.	Short Field Landing Procedure
•	Demonstrate the procedure.
•	Coach student on the use of flaps during the approach.
•	Coach student on use of maximum performance approach airspeed.
•	Coach student on use of slip or crab on final, and transition from crab to slip just before touchdown.
•	Coach student on proper flare technique and visual references during the flare. Note flare will be quicker than normal due to low airspeed.
•	Coach student on use of flaps and braking immediately after touchdown to reduce roll out as prescribed in the POH for the aircraft being used.
•	Coach student on proper use of flight controls after landing.
5.	Soft Field Takeoff Procedure
•	Demonstrate the procedure.
•	Coach student on proper use of flight controls while taxiing and during takeoff roll.
•	Have student keep the airplane moving while holding weight off of the nose wheel.
•	Coach student on appropriate flap setting for soft field takeoff as specified in the POH for the aircraft being used.
•	Ensure student checks engine gauges after smoothly applying power (oil pressure, temperature and RPM) while and airspeed while beginning the takeoff roll.
•	Coach student on technique of holding the nose high until the aircraft lifts off into ground effect, then have student fly in ground effect until reaching the appropriate climb speed (VX or VY).
•	Coach student through the post departure checklist for the aircraft (gear up, flaps up, fuel pump, prop setting, etc.).
6.	Soft Field Landing Procedure
•	Demonstrate the procedure.
•	Coach student on the use of flaps during the approach.
•	Coach student on use of the appropriate approach airspeed as recommended by the POH.
•	Coach student on use of slip or crab on final, and transition from crab to slip just before touchdown.
•	Coach student on proper flare technique and visual references during the flare
•	Coach student on use of flight controls to keep weight off the nose wheel through the roll-out and taxiing.
7.	Post-flight Procedures
8.	Post-lesson debriefing
•	Summarize what was learned and critique students performance of maneuvers with constructive suggestions to improve technique.
•	Ask questions to evaluate the student’s understanding of what was learned.
•	Answer student questions
•	Explain what will be covered in the next lesson and assign reading material.
Student Actions:
1.	Pre-lesson briefing
•	Ask questions concerning previous lessons and/or this one.
2.	Preflight 
•	Perform pre-flight and pre-takeoff procedures using appropriate checklists
3.	Short Field Takeoff Procedures
•	Uses flight controls appropriately for existing wind conditions while taxiing and during takeoff roll.
•	Uses all available runway for takeoff; Aligns nosewheel with runway prior to stopping.
•	Uses the appropriate flap setting for short field takeoff as specified in the POH for the aircraft being used.
•	Checks engine gauges after smoothly applying power (oil pressure, temperature and RPM) while holding airplane with brakes.
•	Re-checks engine gauges and airspeed while beginning roll.
•	Holds the centerline during takeoff roll and to rotates at the appropriate airspeed.
•	Climbs at VX until reaching an altitude of 100 feet and then transitions to a VY climb while holding runway heading or complying with applicable noise abatement procedures.
•	Performs the post departure checklist for the aircraft (gear up, flaps up, fuel pump, prop setting, etc.).
4.	Short Field Landing Procedure
•	Extends downwind slightly to preclude the possibility of being too high on final.
•	Uses the appropriate flaps settings during the approach.
•	Stabilizes the final approach at maximum performance approach airspeed.
•	Uses of slip or crab on final, and transition from crab to slip just before touchdown if crosswind conditions exist.
•	Performs round-out and flare (flare will be more abrupt due to low airspeed).
•	Raises flaps and applies brakes immediately after touchdown to reduce roll-out as prescribed in the POH for the aircraft being used.(First couple of times forget about the flaps).
•	Demonstrates proper use of flight controls after landing.
5.	Soft Field Takeoff Procedure
•	Demonstrates proper use of flight controls while taxiing and during takeoff roll.
•	Keeps the airplane moving while holding weight off of the nose wheel.
•	Uses the appropriate flap setting for soft field takeoff as specified in the POH for the aircraft being used.
•	Checks engine gauges after smoothly applying power (oil pressure, temperature and RPM) and airspeed while beginning roll.
•	Holds the nose on the horizon (or other suitable reference)  until the aircraft lifts off into ground effect, then flies in ground effect until reaching the appropriate climb speed (VX or VY); Note, most airplanes require a firm push on the yoke to remain in ground effect.
•	Uses appropriate rudder inputs to maintain alignment with the centerline during the takeoff run.
•	Performs the post departure checklist for the aircraft (gear up, flaps up, fuel pump, prop setting, etc.).
6.	Soft Field Landing Procedure
•	Demonstrates appropriate use of flaps during the approach.
•	Stabilizes the airplane at the appropriate approach airspeed as recommended by the POH.
•	Uses a slip or crab on final, and transition from crab to slip just before touchdown if crosswind conditions exist.
•	Performs round-out and flare.
•	Applies a little power at touchdown (pull throttle to idle then add just enough to hear the change in engine RPM).
•	Holds weight off the nose wheel after touchdown and keeps plane moving.
•	Demonstrates proper use of flight controls after landing.
7.	Post-flight procedures
•	Perform post-flight procedures using appropriate checklists.
8.	Post-flight debriefing.
•	Ask questions about the lesson.
Completion Standards:
This lesson will be completed when the student is able to:
•	Perform safe short and soft field takeoffs and landings.
•	Is able to touchdown within 200 feet of a specified point (Private pilot standard), or within 100 feet of a specified point (Commercial standard).
•	Establish and maintain climb and approach speeds +10 / - 5 Knots (Private pilot standard) or +/- 5 Knots (Commercial standard).
Common Errors:
•	Short Field takeoffs
•	Not using all available runway.
•	Fails to align nosewheel with the runway.
•	Abrupt power application.
•	Trying to pull the airplane off too soon
•	Picking up excessive airspeed after takeoff; not initiating climb at VX.
•	Short Field Landings
•	Failure to maintain maximum performance approach speed on final.
•	Unstable approach.
•	Landing too fast.
•	Doesn’t pull back hard enough in the flare.
•	Poor braking technique.
•	Soft Field Takeoff
•	Allowing airplane to stop
•	Forgetting to set flaps
•	Not holding yoke full back at the start of the takeoff roll
•	Keeping the yoke full back as the airplane accelerates, thus delaying liftoff and possibly dragging the tail.
•	Fails to push the yoke forward hard enough to stay in ground-effect after liftoff.
•	Poor directional control due to looking over the raised nose and left turning tendency
•	Stalling on liftoff allowing the plane to drop back onto the runway
•	Forgetting to retract flaps once a safe altitude and positive rate of climb is established.
•	Soft Field Landing
•	Unstable approach.
•	Flaring too high and dropping in
•	Failure to hold the nosewheel off during touchdown and rollout.
•	Poor power control during touchdown and rollout.
•	Poor directional control due to looking over the raised nose
References:
•	POH For airplane used.
•	FTH; Pages 91 - 93, 110 - 113
•	PP-ASEL PTS Areas of Operation II, III, IV – Tasks C, D, E, F
•	Comm-ASEL PTS Areas of Operation II, III, IV – Tasks C, D, E, F
Possible Review Questions:
When performing a short-field takeoff, we use _____  ______________ runway.
What is VX? What is VX for the airplane (being used)?
When performing a short-field takeoff, we initially climb at VX. After clearing any obstacles, we then transition to a climb at ____.
What is VY for the airplane (being used)?
When performing a soft-field takeoff, it is important to keep ______ ____________ _________ during the entire taxi and takeoff roll.
When performing a soft-field takeoff or landing it is important to keep the ___________ off the nose-wheel.