When executing a short field landing, why do you retract the flaps during the ground roll?

Retracting the flaps during the ground roll after executing a short field landing is primarily done to maximize braking effectiveness. When the flaps are extended, they increase both lift and drag, which can significantly affect the aircraft's performance upon landing. As the aircraft touches down, the added drag from the extended flaps can impede the ability to decelerate effectively.

Once the landing is completed and the aircraft is on the runway, retracting the flaps reduces drag. This reduction in drag allows the pilot to achieve better braking performance, as there is less aerodynamic resistance to overcome when applying the brakes. Consequently, this helps in stopping the aircraft more efficiently, especially in short field landing scenarios where every foot of runway is critical.

Maintaining lift (which is what happens with the flaps extended) is not a priority once the aircraft is on the ground, as the aim shifts to stopping the aircraft safely and quickly. Additionally, while stability is important in many aspects of flight, it is not the primary reason for retracting flaps during the ground roll after landing.