"C J Campbell" wrote in message ...

The increased power is not needed to soften the touchdown. It is needed to
keep the airplane rolling once it has touched down. You only use it on very
soft surfaces, such as mud or snow. You can land very softly in a Cessna 172
with no power and full flaps.


I agree. If the field is truly soft, adding power at touchdown
(with the yoke all the way back in your lap) will increase airflow
over the elevator and allow you to keep the weight off of the
nosewheel. This keeps the nosewheel from digging into the soft
surface.

I've flown out of some fairly soft backcountry strips in 172s (and
my Cherokee) and the yoke goes all the way back at touchdown along
with some power and pretty much stays that way until I've parked.
It's not unusual to need 1500 rpm or more to keep the plane moving on
a soft surface.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)