✈️ Aviation Brief — Issue #89
Weekly insights for student pilots and the instructors who train them.
THIS WEEK'S TOPIC
CA.IV.H — Soft-Field Approach and Landing (Commercial Pilot ACS)
**1. ACS STANDARDS SUMMARY**
For CA.IV.H (Commercial Pilot), the examiner expects you to plan and execute a soft-field approach and landing in a manner that minimizes stress on the landing gear while maintaining positive aircraft control. This includes selecting a suitable landing surface, configuring the aircraft appropriately (typically full flaps in the C172), maintaining the manufacturer’s recommended approach speed + power adjustments to control descent rate, touching down on the main wheels with the nosewheel held off, and continuing to apply back pressure after touchdown to keep weight off the nosewheel. You must also demonstrate directional control using proper crosswind correction if needed and smoothly transition to taxi without stopping on the soft surface.
**2. THREE COMMON STUDENT MISTAKES**
- Relaxing back pressure immediately after touchdown, allowing the nosewheel to drop and potentially dig into the surface.
- Carrying excessive speed on final, resulting in a float followed by a hard or nose-first touchdown instead of a controlled soft one.
- Chopping the power too early in the roundout, causing the airplane to settle abruptly rather than using power to cushion the landing.
**3. CFI PRO TIP**
Teach students to treat the landing as “flying the airplane onto the surface” rather than “setting it down.” Keep a small amount of power in (usually 1200–1400 RPM in the 172) through the roundout and flare, then reduce it gradually while simultaneously increasing back pressure. This technique gives them a tactile feel for how small power and pitch changes control descent rate and keeps the nosewheel off longer.
**4. SAFETY SPOTLIGHT**
NTSB records show multiple nose-over accidents on soft or wet turf runways when pilots allow the nosewheel to contact the surface while the airplane still has forward speed. In several cases the nosewheel dug in, causing rapid deceleration and propeller strike. The commercial ACS emphasis on holding the nosewheel off directly addresses this hazard.
**5. DID YOU KNOW**
In the Cessna 172 POH, the recommended flap setting for maximum performance soft-field landings is 10° for takeoff but full flaps for landing, because the extra drag helps maintain the low speed needed while still allowing enough elevator authority to hold the nosewheel off after touchdown.
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