But have reduced flap to regain our aiming point if that flap was selected prematurely
Some posters are adamant once selected no reduction . why ?
a): Because nothing in the flight manual/POH says this is acceptable, b): the take away lesson is that if you could have to retract them, you should have already known not to extend them, c): I have never found that there is any power off performance benefit from retracting flaps. What you will lose settling as the flaps retract, you will not recover later with the lesser drag. You're just spending glide altitude for nothing. If you have the altitude to waste ('cause you've chosen a close field), you won't need to retract the flaps to improve the glide.
PS Do we have to always to unthinking follow POH eg the PA34 poh describes a short field t/o that has you slower than Vmca in event of eng. failure Just a thought
No need to untihink the POH, just fly the plane the way the manufacturer has stated, and the certifying authority has approved. After the accident, it's hard to tell the investigator and insurer that you thought you knew more than the aircraft manufacturer and approving authority, so decided to do it your way!
Vmca is the speed below which controlled single engined flight is not assured. You can fly the plane slower than this speed if you choose, and a short field takeoff will probably require this in some types. You just have to notice that if, during this phase of flying, you loose an engine, it may be a good decision to gently close the other throttle and force land ahead, as though it is a single engine plane, 'cause it's not going to fly like a twin on one!
There are many more layers of experienced thought, and approving authority review in flight manuals/POHs than just the thinking of the pilot that day. if you want to operate outside their recommended practices, you would be wise to have your alternate procedure approved. I have done this many of times - preparing, and having approved, a flight manual supplement, to describe the changed operation and limitations. This is a reminded to pilots to also read any FMS which is appended to the flight manual for the plane they are flying.