Ask a student pilot Ask a student pilot what they think is what they think is
the most dangerous the most dangerous part of any flight, part of any flight, and their answer and their answer
most likely will be: most likely will be: The ___________?The ___________?
Shown another way…Shown another way…
Combining T.O./I.C. with Go-around = 35.8%Combining T.O./I.C. with Go-around = 35.8%
Where does teaching takeoffsWhere does teaching takeoffsfit in your syllabus?fit in your syllabus?
Do you include scenariosDo you include scenarioswhen teaching takeoffs?when teaching takeoffs?
Do you teach to the test?Do you teach to the test?
oror
Do you teach beyond the test?Do you teach beyond the test?
““1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements…”1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements…”
What are the “elements” What are the “elements” that that YOUYOU teach/test? teach/test?
Do you teach or test briefing Do you teach or test briefing takeoff procedures and actions takeoff procedures and actions in the event of engine failure in the event of engine failure
during and after rotation?during and after rotation?
HOW?HOW?
What about:What about:
What about:What about:
Do you teach or test aborting Do you teach or test aborting the takeoff if performance the takeoff if performance parameters are not met?parameters are not met?
HOW?HOW?
What about:What about:
What do you teach or What do you teach or test about the timing of test about the timing of retraction of gear and retraction of gear and
flaps?flaps?
What about:What about:
How do you teach or test proper directional control and wind-drift
Correction?
What tools do you use?
What are your thoughts What are your thoughts or feelings about the when or feelings about the when
or how usage of or how usage of checklists?checklists?
What about:What about:
What about:What about:Do you teach applying
appropriate safety margins when calculating takeoff & initial climb performance, crosswind components, and appropriate safety margins
for an engine failure?
What about:What about:
How do you teach or testconfirming the wind direction
before taking the runway?
Do you discuss voluntary Do you discuss voluntary noise abatement noise abatement
procedures with your procedures with your clients?clients?
What about:What about:
Short and/or soft field Short and/or soft field takeoffs?takeoffs?
What are the special What are the special considerations that you considerations that you
emphasize?emphasize?
What about:What about:
In summary:In summary:
Takeoffs & initial climb-out are Takeoffs & initial climb-out are the most dangerous part of a flight!the most dangerous part of a flight!
The rule of primacy is immutable!The rule of primacy is immutable!
In summary:In summary:It is important to teach a It is important to teach a conservative approach in calculating conservative approach in calculating T.O. / I.C. performance!T.O. / I.C. performance!
It is much better to be down here It is much better to be down here wishing we were up there, than up wishing we were up there, than up there, wishing we were down here!there, wishing we were down here!
WWW.SAFEPILOTS.ORG
WWW.FAASAFETY.GOV
Thanks to: Gold Seal Flight
WWW.GOLDSEALFLIGHT.COM
Written by: Doug Stewart