Soft Field Take-off and Climb

OBJECTIVE:   To develop the pilot’s skill and knowledge with soft field takeoff and climb.
ELEMENTS

  • Procedures before taxiing onto the runway or takeoff area to ensure runway incursion avoidance 
  • Soft-field takeoff and lift-off procedures 
  • Initial climb attitude and airspeed, depending on if an obstacle is present 
  • Proper use of checklist 


COMPLETION STANDARDS
  • Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to a soft-field takeoff and climb 
  • Positions the flight controls for existing wind conditions and to maximize lift as quickly as possible 
  • Clears the area; taxies onto the takeoff surface at a speed consistent with safety without stopping while advancing the throttle smoothly to takeoff power 
  • Establishes and maintains a pitch attitude that will transfer the weight of the airplane from the wheels to the wings as rapidly as possible 
  • Lifts off at the lowest possible airspeed and remains in ground effect while accelerating to Vx or Vy, as appropriate 
  • Establishes a pitch attitude for or Vy, as appropriate, and Vx 
  • Maintains selected airspeed +10/-5 knots, during the climb 
  • Retracts the landing gear, if appropriate, and flaps after clear of any obstacles or as recommended. 
  • Maintains takeoff power and Vx or Vy +10/-5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude 
  • Maintains directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout the takeoff and climb 
  • Completes the appropriate checklist 
COMMON ERRORS

  • Improper runway incursion avoidance procedures 
  • Improper use of controls during a soft-field takeoff 
  • Improper lift-off procedures 
  • Improper climb attitude, power setting, and airspeed (Vy) or (Vx) 
  • Improper use of checklist 

THINGS TO REMEMBER

  • Hand on throttle unless trimming until safe altitude 
  • Leave gear on single down until no useable runway remaining 
  • Check Aircraft POH/AFM for flaps or gear retraction first 
  • Walk field first determining ruts, bumps, or other obstacles 
  • Determine abort point if not airborne 
  • The time to determine takeoff and low altitude emergency landing path and/or points is before the takeoff, preferably briefed again in the takeoff briefing in the runup area 
  • Once airplane is moving, keep it moving 
  • Differences between grass, wet grass, mud, snow, dirt, dry lakebeds, gravel, sand, and other surfaces. 

STUDY
  • “Airplane Flying Handbook” Ch. 5 
  • POH/AFM 
Notes for Students:
  • When planning take-off procedures, you (the pilot) should have a point in mind along the runway in which should the airplane not become airborne that the take-off be immediately aborted. 
  • As per the Airplane Flying Handbook, if the airplane exhibits a natural tendency to lift off before reaching Vr/Vx (where required), it is generally advisable to lift off and accelerate in ground effect and then climb at Vx as appropriate. This method is preferable rather than forcing the airplane to remain on the ground as this may cause a "wheelbarrowing" effect and will hinder acceleration and overall aircraft performance. 
  • There is no such thing as a "forced take off"- so don't let a bad judgment call 

Take-off Procedure (Soft Field)
This procedure is to be used for taking off from an unpaved field with and/or without a 50ft obstacle 

  • Set flaps as required
  • Line up on the runway while holding elevator back pressure (verify winds and hold appropriate crosswind controls)- DO NOT STOP..Keep the plane rolling
  • Smoothly apply full power and verify all engine instrumentation (make sure to keep your hand on the throttle until you are at least 1000AGL)
  • Call out "airspeed alive" when the airspeed needle shows a positive indication
  • Maintain "center line" with rudder (think feet on the center line, wing into the wind) and use elevator back pressure to transfer weight from the wheels to the wings as soon as practical 
  • After breaking ground, smoothly reduce pitch to stay in ground effect until the aircraft accelerates to Vx  or Vy as appropriate
  • Climb out at Vx or Vy as appropriate
  • If climbing out at Vx, after clearing the obstacle (or at 50ft) reduce pitch attitude to maintain Vy (USE RUDDER to correct for left turning tendencies), slowly retract flaps 
  • Maintain the extended center line of the runway by selecting a fixed point on the ground (antenna, warehouse, mountain peak etc.) directly ahead of the airplane 
  • Climb straight out or depart the airport area with a left 45 degree turn or as otherwise required when reaching above pattern altitude                                                                -For flights remaining in the pattern you may begin your turn to cross wind when you are 300ft from pattern altitude
  • After reaching at least 1000AGL remove your hand from the throttle and complete your "Climb" checklist

Take off Emergency 
  • If you encounter any abnormality prior to rotation and if runway remains, reduce power to idle and stop the airplane!
  • If the engine fails after rotation, immediately lower the pitch attitude to prevent a stall (Vglide), pull the mixture to idle and turn mags off. Land straight ahead. If you are at least 1000ft agl you may attempt to either return to the airport to elect to land straight ahead. 

Definition of Gust Factor from FAA-P-8740-49 (On Landings, Part II): The difference between the steady state wind and the maximum gust.


Sources for above information: FAA-P-8740-49 (On Landings, Part II), FAA-H-8083-3A (Airplane Flying Handbook), Piper Archer II/Cessna 172Q PIM