Soft Field Take-off and Climb
OBJECTIVE: To develop the pilot’s skill and knowledge with soft
field takeoff and climb.
ELEMENTS
COMPLETION STANDARDS
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COMMON ERRORS
THINGS TO REMEMBER
STUDY
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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
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
- 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