PPL Checkride Guide
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.

Guided rehearsal is PremiumACS IV.F: Short-Field Approach and Landing

Setup

  1. Fly the pattern and configure early: landing flaps 40°
  2. Pick a specific aim point on the runway

Final

  1. 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.
  2. Close the throttle about 200 ft before the aim point
  3. Round out with minimal float, touching down on the mains at the aim point

Recovery

  1. 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.
  2. 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