So here I am only days away from my FAA check-ride and I still have some work to do on my short field approach. For whatever reason I am rounding out too high and not using enough power. I have to remember it is better to make the runway than come-up short … I have a better chance of braking and staying on the runway than not making it at all 
My instructor also had some words of wisdom for me yesterday. He said “this isn’t a softfield landing so coming in and landing a little hard is not a disaster, just make the runway and don’t let the plane fly you”. I think he hit the nail on the head. I have been trying too hard to combine soft-field and short-field at the same time …. no need to.
So I am back today (if the weather holds) for a few more landings along with a forward slip to a no flaps landing …. then I hope to schedule my check ride. I can’t wait.
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March 23, 2009 at 2:11 am
travis
dont worry, the biggest enemy of the check ride is yourself. i was super nervous before i went on mine a while back and missed a few things in the oral. that made me more nervous. we did the ground check ok and got through that but i messed up again before i even turned the key. forgot to put the seatbelt on. again these guys do this for a living, they have checked out the best and worse of the pilots. if your going for your ppl they understand the limitations impossed and what to expect from the newbie pilots so again your biggest enemy is you! i landed WAY harder on my soft field landing than my short field and still got my license. so no worries and if you havent already taken your check ride than good luck!
March 23, 2009 at 11:27 am
daryley
Thanks for your encouragement. I took my check ride and did indeed pass. I was so nervous and of course made a couple of mistakes, minor but ones that I would never typically make. But in general did a great job on both the oral and practical. I am now a private pilot and enjoying the freedom of flying. Thanks again.