Private Pilot for Airplane Category › IV. Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds › Task D. Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL)

PA.IV.D.S11

Skill

Maintain elevator as recommended by manufacturer during rollout and exit the “soft” area at a speed that would preclude sinking into the surface.

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Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

From the FAA library

Airplane Flying Handbook p. 9-23
Chapter 9: Approaches and Landings › Soft-Field Approach and Landing
weight of the airplane as long as practical to minimize stresses imposed on the landing gear by a rough surface or to prevent sinking into a soft surface. The approach for the soft-field landing is similar to the normal ... approach used for operating into long, firm landing areas. The major difference between the two is that a degree of power is used throughout the level-off and touchdown for the soft-field landing. This allows the airspeed to slowly…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 9-28
Chapter 9: Approaches and Landings › Emergency Approaches and Landings (Simulated)
given with the airplane in any configuration. If the simulated power failure occurs while above best glide speed, the pilot allows the airplane to slow (or may even bleed off speed by climbing) until reaching best glide speed. When reaching ... that speed, the nose can be lowered and the airplane trimmed to maintain that speed. If the failure occurs at or below best glide speed, the nose should be lowered immediately to maintain or accelerate to best glide speed…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 9-24
Chapter 9: Approaches and Landings › Soft-Field Approach and Landing › Common Errors
Once committed to a landing, the pilot should gently lower the nose-wheel to the surface. A slight addition of power usually aids in easing the nose-wheel down. The use of brakes on a soft field is not needed ... tend to impose a heavy load on the nose-gear due to premature or hard contact with the landing surface, causing the nose-wheel to dig in. The soft or rough surface itself provides sufficient reduction in the airplane…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 16-20
Chapter 16: Transition to Jet-Powered Airplanes › Jet Engine Landing › Landing Speeds
Landing Speeds As in the takeoff planning, there are certain speeds that should be taken into consideration when landing a jet airplane. The speeds are as follows: ⦁ VSO —stall speed in the landing configuration. ⦁ VREF —1.3 times the stall speed ... landing configuration. ⦁ Approach climb—the speed that guarantees adequate performance in a go-around situation with an inoperative engine. ⦁ Landing climb—the speed that guarantees adequate performance in arresting the descent and making a go-around from the final stages…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 14-4
Chapter 14: Transition to Tailwheel Airplanes › Soft-Field Takeoff
Short-Field Takeoff With the exception of flap settings and initial climb speed as recommended by the manufacturer, there is little difference between the techniques described above for normal takeoffs. After liftoff, the pitch attitude should be adjusted as required ... obstacle clearance. However, note that manufacturers of some airplanes, especially of higher power, recommend a short-field technique with liftoff in a three-point attitude. Pilots should always review and follow the airplane manufacturer's recommended procedures. Soft-Field Takeoff…