Catdriver, I completely agree with your post, the way information is presented is important. However, Some times there is a cost, if you will, in obtaining information. You have been around the block enough to have worked with people who were very good at what they did and could teach their job very well but were not exactly politically correct in their presentation. The presentation of a computer screen does not always present what we (not being English teachers) really mean to say. I am not speaking for Avbug or any one else here. They can do that for themselves.
I have diverged from the original post.
Mini, in answer to the last post, fair enough. Allow me to stop my rant and add something to your original question.
I agree, most soft fields are short. Please bear with me for a minute. Do not confuse being able to do the maneuvers for a check ride with "real world" flying. I say practice the maneuvers as you were taught to become proficient. The short field procedure is just that, the soft field procedure is also just that. If you are able to demonstrate both for your check ride and all the other stuff, you pass. Now each maneuver you learn can be a building block for the real world. Later you will see short fields with a cross wind, maybe an engine failure or flap failure. You take each procedure and priority of that procedure then tailor it to the emergency or condition at hand. We can't teach every possible situation but can break parts of situations down into teachable bites. Learn those bites as taught and apply what you have learned when you need them for a situation.
While you are preparing for your check ride I recommend that you record the steps you need to do to accomplish that procedure. They are called teaching points. (Ex. mid field down wind, power to xxxrpm, slow to 80 knots, at the numbers begin descent at xx airspeed, etc.) Draw yourself a diagram for each maneuver. This will be a start to your CFI lesson plans and CFI teaching book later. It will also help you remember (for the current check ride) exactly what you need to do to accomplish that procedure.
I am guilty of blowing my stack at the wrong times. One of my many faults. Some time I can control it, sometimes I can't. I count it as one of the "costs" of giving away "free" information. Please tell me if I am over charging the costs....
JAFI
