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AviationNormal takeoff and climb

You line up, take off with normal power, rotate at the recommended speed and climb at VY to a safe altitude, in a land airplane or a seaplane. It is Task A of Area IV, Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds, in the FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards, the checkride every private pilot flies.

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The steps

  1. Complete the appropriate checklists.
  2. Make radio calls as appropriate.
  3. Verify the assigned or correct runway or takeoff path.
  4. Determine the wind direction, with or without visible wind indicators.
  5. Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
  6. Clear the area, taxi into takeoff position and line up on the runway centerline or, in a seaplane, on the takeoff path.
  7. In a seaplane, retract the water rudders as appropriate.
  8. Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and confirm the engine and flight instrument indications before rotation.
  9. In a seaplane, hold the most efficient planing and lift-off attitude and correct for porpoising or skipping.
  10. In a seaplane, avoid excessive water spray on the propeller.
  11. Rotate and lift off at the recommended airspeed and accelerate to VY.
  12. Set a pitch attitude to hold the manufacturer's recommended speed or VY, +10/-5 knots.
  13. Configure the airplane as the manufacturer says.
  14. Hold VY +10/-5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
  15. Keep directional control and the right wind-drift correction through the takeoff and climb.
  16. Comply with noise abatement procedures, as applicable.

Safety rules that stop the station

  • If there is no crosswind that day, the examiner tests your crosswind knowledge orally.
  • Any action, or lack of action, that makes the examiner step in to keep the flight safe is unsatisfactory.
  • Not clearing the area with a proper visual scan before and during the maneuver is unsatisfactory.
  • Consistently exceeding the tolerances of the task, or not correcting promptly when you exceed them, is unsatisfactory.

To pass

  • VY +10/-5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude, the centerline and wind drift held, and the airplane configured as the manufacturer says.
  • Know how the atmosphere and the wind change takeoff and climb performance, VX and VY, the right configuration, and the risks of the takeoff path, crosswind, windshear, tailwind, wake turbulence, the takeoff surface, a rejected takeoff, an engine failure in the climb, collision, low-altitude stalls and spins, and distractions. Also runway incursion.
  • Missing the standard on this task fails the task and its area of operation.

Official source

Federal · FAA Private Pilot ACS

Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C)

The FAA publishes the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards free: every task of the checkride with its knowledge, risks and tolerances.

Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by the Federal Aviation Administration or any aircraft manufacturer. Aircraft and document names are named only to describe the content.

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