Question: When departing on a short runway—and since flaps produce drag—would it be wrong to wait until you have “enough” speed and then deploy flaps?
Answer:
Should You Add Flaps Mid-Takeoff on a Short Runway?
A CFI says it’s best to fall back on the pilot's operating handbook.
Key Takeaways:
- Adhering to the aircraft's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Aircraft Flying Manual (AFM) for short-field takeoff procedures, including pre-setting flaps before the takeoff roll, is crucial for safety and optimal performance.
- Adding flaps *during* the takeoff roll is incorrect, distracting, potentially dangerous, and counterproductive as flaps provide essential lift for short-field takeoffs at initial settings.
- Pilots should use performance charts with a 50% safety margin, utilize the entire runway, apply full power before brake release, rotate at Vr, climb at Vx to clear obstacles, and then transition to Vy while incrementally retracting flaps.
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