Airman Certification Standards
ACS CA.IV.D
Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL)
Knowledge
A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
Risk Management
Selection of runway based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
a. Crosswind
b. Windshear
d. Wake turbulence
e. Landing surface/condition
Planning for:
a. Rejected landing and go-around
b. Land and hold short operations (LAHSO)
Collision hazards.
Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skill
Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
Make radio calls as appropriate.
Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway. 23
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.
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.