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Teaching and Learning Flying - Private Pilot, Single-Engine Airplane

Normal and Crosswind Takeoff and Climb


DEFINITION

    Proper takeoff involves aircraft control during smooth transition from acceleration on the ground through lift-off to departure climb

SAFETY FACTORS

  • Review aircraft performance
    • Takeoff distance
    • demonstrated crosswind component
      • PA-38-112: 15 knots
      • TR182: 18 knots
  • Takeoff hazards
    • Obstructions
      • Visually CLEAR area, final approach path
      • Announce attentions
    • Unexpected loss of power
      • Run-up
      • 2,000 RPM check
      • Review VR, initial climb speed, VY
      • Know engine-failure-on-takeoff checklist
    • Wait 2-3 minutes for wake turbulence

TOLERANCES

  • Private Pilot PTS, IV A
    • Explain elements, including airspeeds, configurations, and emergency procedures
    • Select recommended flap setting
    • Align on centerline
    • Smoothly advance throttle to max allowable
    • Check engine instruments
    • Maintain directional control on centerline
    • Adjust aileron deflection during acceleration
    • Rotate at recommended airspeed, accelerate to VY, and establish wind-drift correction
    • Establish pitch for VY and maintain VY +/- 5 knots
    • Retract flaps as recommended or at safe altitude
    • Retract gear after positive rate of climb established and safe landing can no longer be made on remaining runway
    • Maintain takeoff power to safe maneuvering altitude
    • Maintain straight track over extended runway centerline
    • Complete after-takeoff checklist
  • Commercial Pilot PTS, IV A, adds:
    • Adjust mixture control as recommended for conditions
    • Note obstructions or hazards in takeoff path and review takeoff performance
    • Verify wind condition
    • At safe maneuvering altitude, set specified power

OBJECTIVES

  • To develop the student's knowledge and skill in planning and performing safe takeoffs and departure climbs in normal and crosswind conditions to meet the appropriate practical test standards
  • To provide thorough knowledge of takeoff and climb principles that will help prevent an attempt to takeoff under conditions requiring performance beyond the capability of airplane or pilot

PROCEDURES

  • Discuss elements of normal and crosswind takeoffs and climbs
  • Demonstrate takeoff and departure climb
  • PA-38-112 (Tomahawk)
    • Before takeoff check
      • Master ON
      • Flight instruments CHECK
      • Fuel selector proper (fullest) tank
      • Mixture RICH (minimal leaning to smooth if high altitude)
      • Electric fuel pump ON
      • Carb heat OFF
      • Engine gauges CHECK
      • Static source normal
      • Seats secure
      • Seat backs erect
      • Belts/harness fastened (incl empty seat)
      • Flaps set
      • Trim tab set
      • Controls free
      • Doors latched
      • Overhead latch engaged
    • Takeoff
      • Flaps set
      • Tab set
      • 53 KIAS
      • Rotate to climb attitude
      • VX 61 KIAS, VY 70 KIAS
    • Power loss on takeoff roll
      • Throttle CLOSE
      • Brakes APPLY
      • Stop straight ahead or
      • Insufficient runway: (LGMI: Lean, Gas, Master, Ignition)
        • Mixture IDLE CUT-OFF
        • Fuel selector OFF
        • Master OFF
        • Magnetos OFF
        • Maneuver to avoid obstacles
    • Power loss just after takeoff
      • Airspeed above stall
      • Land straight ahead
      • Insufficient runway:
        • Throttle close
        • LGMI: OFF
        • Flaps as required
      • Sufficient altitude to attempt restart:
        • Airspeed above stall
        • Fuel: switch to tank with fuel
        • Electric fuel pump ON
        • Mix RICH
        • Carb heat ON
        • Power not regained, power-off landing
  • TR182 (Skylane)
    • Normal takeoff
      • Flaps 0-20°
      • Carb heat OFF
      • Power 31 in. MP (max) and 2400 RPM (avoid overboost)
      • Mix RICH
      • VR = 55 KIAS
      • Climb speed 70 KIAS (flaps 20°), 80 KIAS (flaps UP)
      • Brakes APPLY momentarily when airborne
      • Gear RETRACT in climb out ("out of runway")
      • Flaps RETRACT (safe altitude above 200 feet AGL)
      • Safe altitude above 500 feet AGL: power 25 in. MP, airspeed 90-100 KIAS
    • Engine failure during takeoff roll
      • Throttle IDLE
      • Brakes APPLY
      • Flaps UP
      • Mix IDLE CUT-OFF
      • Ignition OFF
      • Master OFF
    • Engine failure right after takeoff (70, LGI, FM)
      • Airspeed 70 KIAS (flaps UP), 65 KIAS (flaps DOWN)
      • Mix IDLE CUT-OFF
      • Fuel valve OFF
      • Ignition OFF
      • Flaps as needed (FULL recommended)
      • Master OFF
  • Review of wind conditions
    • Speed and direction
      • ATIS
      • UNICOM
      • Z
      • traffic
      • sock
      • smoke
    • Into wind: shorter roll, slower ground speed, less wear
  • Use of wing flaps
    • PA-38-112 Normal: up (Short or soft field: 21°, first notch)
    • TR182 : 0-20°
    • Visually check flap extension
  • Alignment with takeoff path
    • Align with centerline
    • Note heading and ground references
  • Initial positioning of flight controls
    • Trim set
        PA-38-112: elevator tab slightly aft of neutral (depends on loading)
    • Aileron full into any crosswind
  • Power application
    • PA-38-112
      • Fuel selector proper tank, Mix rich, Pump ON, Carb heat OFF
      • Full power
    • TR182
      • Carb heat OFF, Mix RICH, Prop in high RPM
      • Smooth, steady advance throttle to 30-31 in. MP
    • Keep hand on throttle
  • Directional control during acceleration on the surface
    • With rudder, heels on floor, off brakes
    • Monitor airspeed and control resistance to slight deflections
  • Crosswind control technique during acceleration on the surface
    • Reduce aileron pressure into wind gradually to keep wings level (hold upwind wing down)
    • Directional control with rudder (expect downwind pressure)
    • Left yawing tendency helps directional control in right crosswind
  • Lift-off attitude and airspeed
    • PA-38-112
      • Ease control wheel back to climb attitude at VR = 53 KIAS
      • After takeoff, lower nose slightly to accelerate to VY = 70 KIAS
    • TR182
      • VR = 55 KIAS
      • Gusty winds, increase VR by ½ the gust factor
    • Crosswind lift-off: transition to sideslip
    • Strong crosswind
      • Minimum flaps for field length
      • Ailerons partially into wind
      • VR slightly higher than normal
      • Pull off abruptly
      • Coordinated turn into wind when clear of ground
    • Initial climb speed
      • PA-38-112 70 (61 KIAS flaps 21° with obstacle),
      • TR182: 80 KIAS flaps up, 70 KIAS flaps 20°
  • Climb attitude, power setting, and airspeed
    • PA-38-112
        VY 70 KIAS; VX 61 KIAS; full power
    • TR182
      • 80 KIAS to above at least 500 feet AGL, then 90 KIAS and reduce power to enroute climb, 25 in. MP
      • 20° flaps: 70 KIAS to approx 200 feet AGL, then flaps up slow and accelerate to 80 KIAS
  • Crosswind correction and track during climb
    • Sideslip until well above ground
    • Coordinated turn into wind
    • Ground track aligned with runway
  • Coach student practice
  • Critique student performance

COMMON ERRORS

  • Improper initial positioning of flight controls and wing flaps
    • Full aileron into wind to start
    • Visually confirm flap extension
  • Improper power application
      Smooth, steady advance
  • Inappropriate removal of hand from throttle
  • Poor directional control
      Expect right rudder to start
  • Improper use of ailerons
      Inadequate upwind aileron leads to side skipping downwind
  • Improper pitch attitude during lift-off
    • Proper trim set helps
    • Too high pitch delays takeoff or leads to stall just after takeoff
  • Failure to establish and maintain proper climb configuration and airspeed
  • Drift during climb


Greg Gordon MD, CFII
Updated: