SHORT-FIELD LANDING
A short-field landing is necessary when you have a relatively short landing area or when an approach must be made over obstacles that limit the available landing area. When practicing short-field landings, assume you are making the approach and landing over a 50-foot obstruction in the approach area.
To conduct a short-field approach and landing, follow normal procedures until you are established on the final approach segment. At this point, use aft cyclic to reduce airspeed below the speed for minimum sink. By decreasing speed, sink rate increases and a steeper approach path is achieved, minimizing the distance between clearing the obstacle and making contact with the surface. [Figure 20-14] The approach speed must remain fast enough, however, to allow the flare to arrest the forward and vertical speed of the gyroplane. If the approach speed is too low, the remaining vertical momentum will result in a hard landing. On a short-field landing with a slight headwind, a touchdown with no ground roll is possible. Without wind, the ground roll is normally less than 50 feet.