The take-off sequence

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The take-off sequence in a light aircraft is the most critical of all normal flight procedures. All the engine's available performance must be employed during the acceleration and initial climb — leaving no power in reserve — and there is no potential energy of excess height or excess momentum available. Thus, during take-off, the pilot's options are extremely limited. Prior to take-off, it is essential to check aircraft, airfield and atmospheric conditions to determine if take-off can be undertaken safely and how it should be conducted.

 

11.1 The take-off sequence

 

The full take-off sequence starts at pre-flight planning and concludes when:

 

• the aircraft is established in the climb configuration
   
   
  
• at an appropriate threshold height
   
   
  
• at the best rate of climb airspeed or a suitable enroute climb airspeed
   
   
  
• with the recommended power setting.
   
   
  

 

 

The pre-flight planning, weather and airfield check, aircraft inspection, fuel quantity and quality check, engine warm-up and check, taxiing checks, pre-take-off checks and radio procedures are all part of the full pre-flight procedure and of good airmanship; and must be conducted for every take-off — even if you just contemplate doing a quick weather check flight.

 

Take-off procedures and techniques vary according to aircraft type: tailwheel configuration — tractor or pusher engine; nosewheel configuration — tractor or pusher; flap equipped; canard configuration; delta-winged; powered parachute; or weight-shift aircraft. Some procedures should be specified in the pilot's operating handbook for that aircraft. In this module, we will look at the common factors to be considered in the execution of the take-off for the normally configured, three-axis, nosewheel and tailwheel aircraft.

 

There are differing take-off procedures or techniques, or combinations thereof, applicable to particular airfield conditions:

 

• normal take-off
   
   
  
• short field take-off
   
   
  
• soft field take-off.
   
   
  

 

 

The take-off sequence is varied according to prevailing conditions, but it usually has three parts:

 

• the initial ground roll, where the essentially landborne machine is accelerated to a lift-off speed selected according to the airfield conditions. Aerodynamic drag and rolling friction retard acceleration
   
   
  
• lift-off followed by a short transition period where the aircraft is accelerated by keeping induced drag to a reasonable level, possibly in ground effect (i.e. while held just above the surface), until either a minimum take-off safety speed (Vtoss) or the selected CAS for best rate of climb (Vy), or the best angle of climb (Vx), is reached
   
   
  
• the climb-out, tracking the runway heading, to a safe threshold height where the pilot's options are less restricted, possibly 300–1000 feet above ground level [agl], and where airspeed can be increased to an appropriate enroute climb speed. Regulations forbid turns away from the extended runway line until the aircraft is 500 feet agl. However, at many smaller airfields, local custom may prescribe a climb-out path that provides greater safety in an engine failure event.
   
   
  

 

 

source: http://www.recreationalflying.com/tutorials/groundschool/umodule11.html#tosequence