They are best done at uncontrolled fields so you don't get interfered with, on mildy windy days so as to make it a challenge.
Spot the runway mark as a first priority when you originally cut power in the pattern. Start your landing right there. Go to best glide at the same time. Keep your eyes glued to that mark, glancing occasionally at airspeed and traffic. If you wait to some later point than the moment of engine cut you rapidly squander your overall advantage.
Fly a normal but slightly tight pattern while being prepared to tuck it in radically, should you discover there is an adverse wind to fight.
You do not have to drop gear or flaps until you feel like it is required and routine checklist timing does not apply to power-off 180s. If you get to the last few hundred yards of final your latest point of putting gear down is to have enough time for it to extend and you to glance out and see if did.
Lots of practice is the only real method. It's a test of correlated skills in a number of areas, if you think you might be weak on something go back and practice that individually. The point is to have a battery of techniques at your disposal to deal with managing the aircraft.
It is a simulated emergency manuever and should be taken seriously so if you ever do it for real you stand a chance of surviving. Experienced GA pilots tell me selecting and mentally rehearsing an off-airport landing is one of the foremost things on their mind at all times while flying whether doing this particular manuever or not. From what I gather it's the single most significant thing to show a DE you are good at, also.
Get good at them and you will win spot landing competitions too.
Last edited by Cubdriver; 03-15-2007 at 09:16 AM.