Why the term"Precautionary Search & Landing
 

Does the term "Precautionary" apply to the actual search for a suitable landing area? If so, why precautionary? Most training publications also use the term "precautionary " landing. That being so, why is the landing called precautionary?

What is the difference in definition between a precautionary landing and a short field landing? Isn't a normal landing and a short field landing both based on coming over the fence at the certification figure in the POH of around 1.3Vs IAS? If so, does this mean all big jet's actually conduct short field landings by definition?

And if you approach to land in a Tiger Moth with it's slats locked, is this an all flaps up landing? Or a no leading edge devices landing?

A precautionary landing is done in cases where it would be inadvisable to continue to your destination e.g. bad weather, night, low fuel, and is therefore a precaution in case you crash and die.
Short field landing = a landing utilising the maximum landing performance of the aircraft i.e max flaps, braking, reverse if applicable.
No idea about the Tiger Moth stuff but I would guess a no leading edge devices landing (didn't know thay had flaps).

I've always thought of it as a precautionary action to avoid the threat or possibility of some far worse consequence. As for a short field landing, yes you MIGHT use that technique after the search and selection of a suitable landing area. But if you suspect that the ground might not be very firm (ie after rain), it might be wiser to adopt the POH configuration for a soft field landing.

I certainly wouldn't like to think that pilots are using the term "short-field landing" as a synonym for the result of a precautionary search procedure.

No, me neither, Oz. I taught a short field landing was used to meet short LDA limitations. A soft field technique for the obvious.

A precautionaray search & landing was just that: A precautionary process that involved a search for a place to land - which may or may not be an airstrip - a systematic inspection of the proposed landing area taking into account time/fuel/daylight/weather factors and then a decision to land or to continue searching. If landing then a judgement about what landing technique is likely to be appropriate: Short, soft, minimum time etc.