N
ORMAL
O
PERATING
P
ROCEDURES
R
EVISION
:
-
D
ATE
:
12/29/04
P
AGE
:
35
Copyright
2004 Glasair Aviation, LLC Arlington, Washington All rights reserved
demanding circumstances. Truly short-field landings of 400 ft. or less
are possible with the proper technique.
As with any landing, the key to a successful short-field landing in the
Sportsman is a stabilized approach—that is, an approach in which the
proper power setting and attitude for the desired airspeed and descent
rate are established early in the approach and held steady all the way to
touchdown with only minimal adjustments. The slower the approach
speed, the shorter the landing, but also the more power required to
maintain manageable descent rates.
Pilots inexperienced in high-performance, bush-type flying should
approach truly short-field work in the Sportsman gradually, slowing
approach speeds incrementally from the recommended 65 kts. (75
m.p.h.). Approach speeds as low as 45 kts. (52 m.p.h.) can be flown,
but such speeds leave little margin for unexpected gusts or wind shear.
Short-field landings should always be made with full flaps, but the flaps
should be retracted immediately upon touchdown to reduce the lift
generated by the wing and thereby to minimize the airplane’s tendency
to nose over during braking.
4-13.5 S
LIPS
The forward slip is a very useful technique in the Sportsman for losing
altitude without gaining excessive airspeed. The Sportsman’s Fowler
flaps create more lift than drag and cannot be counted on to save a
high approach. With its large, effective rudder and ailerons, however,
the Sportsman slips marvelously. Easily controlled slipping descents
exceeding 1,000 ft./min. can be achieved at typical 65 kt. (75 m.p.h.)