Some Extra Runway

From the beginning of our flight training, we spend many hours learning about and practicing landings. We often pay little attention to the beginning of a flight, though. Sure, we might pull out the handbook and compute what it tells us about takeoff performance-ground roll, distance required to clear obstacles-but we simple dont put into takeoffs the kind of study and attention given to landings. Ive always found that rather odd.

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots often underestimate the complexity and potential challenges of takeoffs, giving them less attention than landings, despite inherent uncertainties like engine performance and control function.
Two personal anecdotes illustrate critical takeoff issues: an engine failure shortly after liftoff due to a faulty fuel selector, and an open cabin door resulting from a missed pre-flight check.
These experiences emphasize the importance of thorough pre-flight checks, understanding abort procedures, and utilizing the full length of the runway (including displaced thresholds) to provide essential safety margins for unexpected events.

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From the beginning of our flight training, we spend many hours learning about and practicing landings. We often pay little attention to the beginning of a flight, though. Sure, we might pull out the handbook and compute what it tells us about takeoff performance—ground roll, distance required to clear obstacles—but we simple don’t put into takeoffs the kind of study and attention given to landings. I’ve always found that rather odd.

For one thing, a takeoff appears to involve more uncertainties than a landing. Will the engine develop full power? Are the flight controls working correctly? Are conditions suitable to getting airborne? Will we clear that tree at the end of the runway? In fact, it seems to me that the type and number of challenges with which a pilot can be presented are greatest while taking off. The memory of two takeoffs that didn’t work out as they should highlights for me what can go wrong when initiating flight. One of them was successful; one wasn’t. I learned some things from both, and both confirmed my suspicions that we don’t give takeoffs their due.