Tools You Can Use?

So, youve decided the risk is worth it and youre going to execute a zero-zero or low-visibility takeoff. Youve thoroughly prepped the airplane, the cockpit and yourself for the operation, youve practiced it, you have a solid-gold takeoff alternate only a few miles away, with an ILS above minimums, and youre ready. One problem: The weather is so bad, you cant see more than one or two of the runway stripes at a time. Is that enough to help ensure directional control on the takeoff roll? Probably not.

Key Takeaways:

• During zero-visibility takeoffs, visual cues are insufficient for maintaining directional control on the runway.
• Vertical card compasses are unreliable for directional control due to inherent errors, such as acceleration error.
• Directional gyros (DGs) and horizontal situation indicators (HSIs) are the recommended instruments for maintaining runway alignment.
• For accurate use, DGs and HSIs must be fully spun up, precisely aligned with the runway heading, and closely monitored throughout the takeoff roll.

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