Takeoffs and Climbs

Question 1

Describe a normal takeoff and climb.

Answer 1

Airplane headed directly into wind
Winds are light
No obstructions along takeoff path
Runway long enough to permit gradual acceleration

Question 2

What are the steps of the takeoff roll?

Answer 2

Align airplane with runway centerline
Smoothly apply maximum throttle
Maintain directional control with rudder
Glance at engine instruments for signs of malfunction

Question 3

What are the steps for liftoff?

Answer 3

As soon as flight controls are effective, apply back pressure to lift nosewheel
Adjust and maintain liftoff attitude for Vx or Vy
Keep wings level and establish initial heading

Question 4

What are the steps of the initial climb after becoming airborne?

Answer 4

Establish pitch attitude for Vx or Vy
Retrim for appropriate speed
Maintain takeoff power until at least 500’ AGL
Maintain runway heading

Question 5

What are the standards expected of a student for normal takeoff and climb?

Answer 5

Runway incursion avoidance
Knowledge of normal, crosswind, and rejected takeoffs
Determines wind direction/speed, calculates crosswind component, adjusts controls as necessary
Aligns airplane with runway and smoothly applies power
Rotates at recommended speed and accelerates to Vy
Maintains Vy (+10/-5kts private, +/-5kts commercial)
Maintains runway heading, retracts flaps after positive climb rate
Uses appropriate checklists

Question 6

What is a crosswind takeoff and climb?

Answer 6

Performed when wind is from a direction other than directly in front of airplane

Question 7

What are the steps of the crosswind takeoff roll?

Answer 7

Taxi into position and check wind strength/direction
Start takeoff roll with full aileron into the wind
As speed increases, reduce amount of aileron input

Question 8

What are the steps of the crosswind liftoff?

Answer 8

If crosswind is significant, hold wheels on the ground slightly longer
After liftoff, correct for drift

Question 9

What are the steps of the initial crosswind climb?

Answer 9

Apply proper drift correction to slip airplane into the wind

Once well above ground, “crab” into wind and roll wings level

Question 10

What are the standards expected of students during crosswind takeoff and climb?

Answer 10

Runway incursion avoidance
Knowledge of normal, crosswind, and rejected takeoffs
Determines wind direction/speed, calculates crosswind component, adjusts controls as necessary
Aligns airplane with runway and smoothly applies power
Rotates at recommended speed and accelerates to Vy
Maintains Vy (+10/-5kts private, +/-5kts commercial)
Maintains runway heading, retracts flaps after positive climb rate
Uses appropriate checklists

Question 11

What is the purpose of a short field takeoff and climb?

Answer 11

Used when an airplane must be operated with either a short runway, or the available takeoff area is restricted by obstructions

Question 12

What are the short field takeoff and climb procedures?

Answer 12

Set flaps as recommended
Taxi onto runway using all available runway length
Momentarily apply brakes while applying full power
Check engine instruments and release brakes
Adjust pitch for minimum drag/maximum acceleration
Accelerate to recommended liftoff speed
Adjust pitch angle to Vx until 50’ AGL of obstacles cleared
Retract flaps/gear when well clear of obstacle and at Vy

Question 13

What are the standards expected of a student for short field takeoff and climb?

Answer 13

Runway incursion avoidance
Positions flight controls and flaps correctly
Clears area, taxis onto runway using all available length
Applies brakes while advancing throttle
Rotates at recommended speed and accelerates to Vx
Maintains Vx (+10/-5kts private, +5/-0kts commercial) until 50’ AGL
Maintains Vy +/-5kts, runway heading, retracts flaps after positive climb rate
Uses appropriate checklists

Question 14

What is the purpose of a soft field takeoff and climb?

Answer 14

Used when operating an airplane off of an unimproved surface, such as grass, soft sand, mud, snow, rough terrain

Question 15

What are the soft field takeoff and climb procedures?

Answer 15

Lower flaps prior to takeoff roll
Taxi as fast as possible (safely), avoid stops and sharp turns, in continuous motion to alignment with runway
Use elevator back pressure to keep weight off nosewheel, and to maintain nose-high attitude
As soon as airplane becomes airborne, lower pitch attitude slightly to gain airspeed while in ground effect
Accelerate to Vx (obstacle) or Vy (no obstacle) while in ground effect
Retract flaps/gear once clear of the obstacle

Question 16

What are the standards expected of a student for soft field takeoff and climb?

Answer 16

Ensures runway incursion avoidance before taxiing onto runway
Positions flight controls for conditions/maximizing lift quickly
Clears area and taxis at safe speed without stopping
Smoothly advances power and maintains nose-up pitch
Rotates/lifts off at lowest possible airspeed
Remains in ground effect while accelerating to Vx or Vy
Climbs at Vx or Vy +/-5kts
Retracts gear/flaps after obstacle clearance
Maintains Vx or Vy until safe maneuvering altitude
Maintains directional control/wind-drift correction
Completes appropriate checklists

Question 17

What are some common errors regarding runway incursion avoidance that students make during takeoffs and climbs?

Answer 17

Failure to clear the area before taxiing into position on the runway
Not checking for traffic before crossing runway hold-short lines
Not reading back crossing/hold-short instructions
Not familiar with airport signage

Question 18

What are some common errors regarding use of controls that students make during takeoffs and climbs?

Answer 18

Failure to check engine instruments after applying takeoff power
Flaps not set as recommended
Improper use of brakes/releasing before full power (short field)
Failure to utilize all available runway (short field)
Improper use of power (abrupt application, not using full power)
Insufficient back elevator at start of takeoff roll/failure to reduce elevator pressure as speed increases (soft field)
Poor directional control (not using rudder to compensate for torque effect)
Mechanical use of ailerons, not feel (crosswind)

Question 19

What are some common errors regarding liftoff procedures that students make during takeoffs and climbs?

Answer 19

Relying on airspeed indicator, rather than feel
Failure to maintain liftoff attitude, rotating too late
Forcing airplane off the runway (too much pitch, not enough speed, airplane settles back onto runway)
Premature liftoff resulting in side-skipping (crosswind takeoffs)
Excessive aileron in latter stages of takeoff roll (crosswind takeoffs)
Allowing plane to “mush,” or settle back onto runway (soft field)

Question 20

What are some common errors regarding pitch, power, and airspeed, that students make during takeoffs and climbs?

Answer 20

Not compensating for torque/P-factor, resulting in sideslip
Overcontrol of elevators
Limiting scan to directly forward, allowing a wing to drop
Failure to maintain Vx (short field) or Vy
Not using “attitude flying” principles (chasing airspeed indicator)
Not retracting flaps/gear as appropriate
Drift during climb

Question 21

What are some common errors regarding checklists that students make during normal and crosswind takeoffs and climbs?

Answer 21

Not using checklist consistently

Not completing checklist at appropriate time