Not all runways consist of long, well-paved surfaces. In remote regions, runways may feature gravel or even dirt. Landing on unpaved runways such as these can be challenging. Equally challenging, however, is a short-field landing.
Overview of Short-Field Landings
A short-field landing is a type of landing that involves a short runway. It’s a common practice in remote areas and during in-flight emergencies.
Remote areas almost always have shorter runways than major airports. Pilots flying to a remote area may have to land on one of these short runways, resulting in a short-field landing. Even in populated areas, though, pilots may have to perform a short-field landing if an emergency arises. In-flight emergencies can force pilots to land at the nearest runway, including short runways.
The Challenges of Short-Field Landings
Short-field landings pose several challenges for pilots. For starters, there’s less room for error. The length of a typical runway at a commercial airport is 8,000 to 13,000 feet. That’s plenty of room for pilots to make corrections. Shorter runways have less room for error. Some of them are only 2,000 to 3,000 feet long. Therefore, pilots must use extreme caution when performing short-field landings, as there’s little or no room for error.
Not all airplanes are designed for short-field landings. Generally speaking, the heavier the airplane, the more runway space it will need to land. They take longer to decelerate than lighter airplanes. Therefore, large and heavy airplanes like commercial jets may not be able to land on short runways.
Inclement weather can make short-field landings particularly challenging. Heavy rain or strong winds, for instance, can make it difficult for pilots to land on a short runway. Pilots won’t have the luxury of extra runway space to make the necessary adjustments to counter the weather’s effects.
How Pilots Deal With Short-Field Landings
Pilots can deal with short-field landings in several ways. When compared to a traditional landing on a full-length runway, pilots will typically use a steeper angle. The steep angle will allow them to quickly touch down so that they can fully decelerate within the length of the runway.
In addition to using a steep angle, pilots will also use a slow airspeed. They will approach short runways more slowly than full-length runways. This slow airspeed will allow pilots to align the aircraft with the runway.
Pilots will typically deploy the airplane’s flaps when performing a short-field landing. Flaps will increase drag and reduce airspeed. These effects will make it easier for pilots to land on short runways.
