Take-off

The take-off is usually considered in a number of sections (Fig. 13.1). First there is the initial ground run, the sole purpose of which is to accelerate the aircraft as quickly as possible to the speed at which the wings can develop sufficient lift to permit take-off. This run must take place with the drag of the

(c) Climb out (b) Rotation (a) Ground run

Fig. 13.1 Take-off

Take-off may be divided into three phases:

(a) Ground run at low angle of attack giving low drag (b) Rotation where nose is raised to increase angle of attack (c) Climb out

aircraft at as low a value as possible to maximise the acceleration and therefore a low angle of attack is maintained. In the case of a tail wheel undercarriage, fitted commonly some years ago, the tail wheel must be raised as soon as the air speed permits adequate elevator control. This reduces the angle of attack to the required value. When sufficient speed has been reached the aircraft is ‘rotated’ until sufficient angle of attack is obtained for lift-off which is followed by climb out which should occur at the maximum angle of climb to allow optimum obstacle clearance.