This is why you practice short field landings! The pilot loads up seven of his friends in a Pilatus, then takes off from his home airport's grass runway (yes, in a 10,000 lb. airplane) and flies to Courchevel, a scenic ski resort in the French Alps. There's a very convenient airport right on the side of the mountain, but it's less than 1,800 feet long and has a stunning 18.6% gradient.

Welcome to the latest edition of the Flight Maneuver Spotlight series. Here we'll highlight the various maneuvers you'll practice during your flight training and be expected to demonstrate during your private pilot checkride. Each maneuver includes step-by-step instructions, performance standards and common errors. Study them while on the ground or print them for quick reference in the airplane.