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Airmanship / Short field landing “unintentional test” – POV – Flying

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fBt8tQLeOWA%3Flist%3DPLJOPFT88qcBC3PCH-ML1C3IxhKXx8kTOI
Watch in HD! (you can read the panel)

Ride along as we do some short field landings in a Piper Warrior (PA28)

Details:

1st landing under best possible short field landing conditions with strong head wind in winter.
(with lots of runway to spare)
2nd under nearly the worst possible conditions on hot summer day with no wind!
(with NO runway to spare) 😛

We were on a casual “Sunday flight” with minimal planning… just out for a boot to a local airport for a lunch stop and to swap seats with my pilot buddy.
*** HOT HUMID day – ZERO wind + Density alt was over 1200′

We had studied the airport and knew there was a short displaced threshold on 23, but didn’t know exactly why…
We didn’t really care because we were expecting the longer northerly runway 32, as that is the direction took off from at home base.
NOTE: I had only flown into this airport once before BUT had never landed on the shorter runway 05/23.

Wind was light and variable, so we expected there’d be no need to use the short runway.

Upon arrival it became clear local traffic was using the short runway 23, so I felt the need to fit in and use the “active”.
My pilot buddy reminded me that it was the short runway and made sure I was primed to go round if the approach was less than perfect. However, other than that, we didn’t formally think through all the variables that would make landing 23 a significant challenge this day.

I couldn’t see displaced threshold markings on final, and stopped worrying about that, even though I did notice the visual illusion related to the slopping terrain toward the runway, and a tall clump of trees directly in the way on short final.

Ultimately, I ended up flying a short field approach by feel as opposed to by formal procedure.

With zero head wind and a displaced threshold essentially making it a 1400 foot runway, there was not much room for error.
Add the fact that it is 40 feet wide, and there is no room to be off the center line either!
Luckily my approach was good and speed management was great, and I was lined up nicely.
I ended up touching down just before displaced threshold markings (didn’t even notice that until AFTER reviewing the video because the markings are so old and faded.)

Upon taxi back facing the approach path, the hill slopping down to the threshold is very apparent; what I was noticing on approach was not an illusion after all – good thing I didn’t let it affect my planning.

Bottom line, I pulled off a good short field landing despite NOT having mentally prepared to do it – A good outcome, but not a great process.

All this to say, my “Airmanship” was somewhat lacking on this flight.

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I’m a Private Pilot, doing my best to stay current and learn. I fly for fun and might just be the least cocky pilot on the internet! My self analysis videos can seem self deprecating at times, but I am trying to learn from the small mistakes to avoid making a big one; I’m happy to share and find it rewarding to help other pilots or aspiring aviators in any way that I can. How does the saying go? “Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards”. And in aviation, not all tests are survivable.

My virtual “ride-along” flying videos are aimed and sharing my experiences and giving back to the aviation community which has been so helpful to me. I shoot multi-camera angles, get detailed real time instrument panel shots, and have radio intercom audio. I respect people’s time, so I put a fair bit of work into editing to keep the videos concise and engaging; I add animations and further graphics and voice overs where needed to add context and explanations.

My hope is to continue to grow and evolve the “Flight Chops” project with input and support from the aviation community!


Steve Thorne, aka "Flight Chops"

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Flight Chops Disclaimer

I am a “weekend warrior” private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience – I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve…. Having the GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share.

Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.

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