Prepare for: Soft-Field Takeoff and Landing

• Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
• Make radio calls as appropriate.
• Verify assigned/correct runway.
• Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
• Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
• Clear the area, maintain necessary flight control inputs, taxi into takeoff position and align the airplane on the runway centerline without stopping, while advancing the throttle smoothly to takeoff power.
• Confirm takeoff power and proper engine and flight instrument indications.
• Establish and maintain a pitch attitude that transfers the weight of the airplane from the wheels to the wings as rapidly as possible.
• Lift off at the lowest possible airspeed and remain in ground effect while accelerating to VX or VY, as appropriate.
• Establish a pitch attitude for VX or VY, as appropriate, and maintain selected airspeed +10/-5 knots during the climb.
• Configure the airplane after a positive rate of climb has been verified or in accordance with airplane manufacturer’s instructions.
• Maintain VX or VY, as appropriate, +10/-5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
• Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.
• Comply with noise abatement procedures, as applicable.

Open the full ACS (PDF) ↗

• Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
• Make radio calls as appropriate.
• Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway.
• Scan the landing runway and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
• Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
• Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and trim, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach.
• Maintain manufacturer’s published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots with gust factor applied.
• Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
• Make smooth, timely, and correct control inputs during the round out and touchdown, and, for tricycle gear airplanes, keep the nose wheel off the surface until loss of elevator effectiveness.
• Touch down at a proper pitch attitude with minimum sink rate, no side drift, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with the center of the runway.
• Maintain elevator as recommended by manufacturer during rollout and exit the “soft” area at a speed that would preclude sinking into the surface.
• Execute a timely go-around if the approach cannot be made within the tolerances specified above or for any other condition that may result in an unsafe approach or landing.
• Maintain proper position of the flight controls and sufficient speed to taxi while on the soft surface.

Open the full ACS (PDF) ↗

• Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
• Make radio calls as appropriate.
• Verify assigned/correct runway.
• Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
• Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
• Clear the area, maintain necessary flight control inputs, taxi into takeoff position and align the airplane on the runway centerline without stopping, while advancing the throttle smoothly to takeoff power.
• Confirm takeoff power and proper engine and flight instrument indications.
• Establish and maintain a pitch attitude that transfers the weight of the airplane from the wheels to the wings as rapidly as possible.
• Lift off at the lowest possible airspeed and remain in ground effect while accelerating to VX or VY, as appropriate.
• Establish a pitch attitude for VX or VY, as appropriate, and maintain selected airspeed ±5 knots during the climb.
• Configure the airplane after a positive rate of climb has been verified or in accordance with airplane manufacturer’s instructions.
• Maintain VX or VY, as appropriate, ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
• Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.
• Comply with noise abatement procedures, as applicable.

Open the full ACS (PDF) ↗

• Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
• Make radio calls as appropriate.
• Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway.
• Scan the landing runway and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
• Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
• Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and trim, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach.
• Maintain manufacturer’s published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 times the stalling speed or the minimum steady flight speed in the landing configuration (VSO), ±5 knots with gust factor applied.
• Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
• Make smooth, timely, and correct control inputs during the round out and touchdown, and, for tricycle gear airplanes, keep the nose wheel off the surface until loss of elevator effectiveness.
• Touch down at a proper pitch attitude with minimum sink rate, no side drift, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with the center of the runway.
• Maintain elevator as recommended by manufacturer during rollout and exit the “soft” area at a speed that would preclude sinking into the surface.
• Execute a timely go-around if the approach cannot be made within the tolerances specified above or for any other condition that may result in an unsafe approach or landing.
• Maintain proper position of the flight controls and sufficient speed to taxi while on the soft surface.

Open the full ACS (PDF) ↗