Chair flying / Short-Field Approach and Landing

Short-Field Approach and Landing

Land on a short runway or over an obstacle: a precise, minimum-speed approach to a chosen aim point, touchdown with little float, then maximum braking to stop in the shortest distance.

Chair fly it ACS IV.F — Short-Field Approach and Landing

Setup

Fly the pattern and configure early — landing flaps 40°
Pick a specific aim point on the runway

Final

Stabilize on final at 58–62 kt“Stable, on the aim point”
Fly precise short-field speed: too fast floats and eats runway; too slow risks a hard, high sink-rate arrival. Pitch for airspeed, power for the aim point.
Close the throttle about 200 ft before the aim point
Round out with minimal float — touch down on the mains at the aim point

Recovery

Lower the nosewheel promptly, retract flaps, apply maximum braking
Flaps up puts weight on the wheels for braking; brake firmly without skidding to stop in the shortest distance.
Go around immediately if you cannot make the aim point

ACS tolerances

Approach speed 58–62 kt, +10/−5 kt
Touchdown at or within +200/−0 ft of the aim point

Common errors

Carrying excess speed and floating past the aim point
Not committing to maximum braking after touchdown
Failing to go around when the aim point is unreachable