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Aviator90 Episode 7
[music]
Chris Palmer: [0:31] Welcome to another episode of Aviator 90, from Angle of Attack.
[0:36] Finally, it's time for the takeoff episode. I'll do my best to explain takeoff
technique for you and hopefully you can take that knowledge into your own Sim. So I've
completed the run up and you'll notice we're in the same place we were last time, pretty
much.
[0:51] Before we taxi onto the runway we're going to do the lights, camera, action,
checklist.
[0:56] Lights, we're simply going to turn on the strobes and landing lights. Although
strobes aren't on this aircraft, strobes are used for the duration of the flight from taxiing
on the runway until we get to our destination and pull off the runway, so runway to
runway.
[1:14] The landing lights, we'll turn off when we leave the pattern and when it makes
sense. Now the camera is when we turn on our transponder. A transponder allows ATC to
get our information, so they can track us. Most modern transponders are mode C
transponders which report altitude as well.
[1:33] The default VFR setting for a transponder, for rules under VFR when not under
control, is 1200. So make sure that's set as well. It should already be in the window.
[1:45] Action is when we simply do a 360 degree turn here on the ground. And clear the
air space around us, to make sure we know where everyone is. It's a big action because
it's quite a big turn, so that's why we call it action.
[1:59] So here we go. Let's whip this around, scan for traffic and ensure no one is in
conflict.
[2:04] The easiest way to turn on a dime, as you saw in the last episode, is to hold down
the brake on the turn side, about three quarters of the way, as well as pushing the rudder
on that side.
[2:15] So what we're basically doing here is we're scanning the airspace around the
airport and making sure that there aren't any other aircraft that are going to come in
conflict with us. And we want to make sure that the runway we're actually departing on,
isn't in conflict with the type of pattern that they're doing, which you'll learn later on.
[2:32] So, I'm not seeing any traffic, so once you round out the turn start heading towards
the runway hold short lines. As we pull up into place here, we'll make sure we do not
pass this line.

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[2:43] This line represents the runway area and without stating we are pulling on to the
runway or getting permission to do so, we can not cross these lines. These are known as
hold short lines.
[2:55] At this stage, it's important to make sure you aren't cutting someone off who is on
final. If you do cut someone off, this is called a "runway incursion" and you'll get
[laughs] in a ton of trouble.
[3:06] All right, so all checks are done, we've done lights, camera, action. Now let's state
our intentions and pull onto the runway. [clears throat]
[3:14] Tillman traffic, Cessna 6828 Kilo taking 13 for departure, Will be southeast
bound.
[3:21] All right, so ease the power forward and come to a nice stable taxi speed.
[3:25] As you pull onto the runway, look toward the direction that others would be
landing and clear the final. Verbally say it, "final clear." We want to make sure that no
one else is landing, as we're pulling onto the runway.
[3:37] Now taxi as to use up every little bit of runway at the end. This means you're
getting your wheel as close to the edge of the pavement as possible without going off the
pavement, obviously.
[3:48] When it's time to turn and line up with the runway center line, give the rudder
pedal heel a big push in the direction of the turn. Now you can also turn even sharper by
partially holding down the brake on that same rudder pedal.
[4:01] So get all lined up and then we'll get this show on the road or, I guess, in this case
it would be sky. All right, whatever, you get it.
[4:09] Hold the brakes firmly and fully and ease the throttle forward. Bring the engine up
to full power and monitor the engine instruments and listen to the sound of the engine for
a few moments.
[4:22] No problem, so release the brake, keep light forward pressure on the yoke and
keep on track with that center line, with rudder and foot.
[4:29] Now the plane will want to pull left quite a bit, so you'll have to counter act that.
Keep on that center line and start to release pressure on the yoke.
[4:37] Now 55 knots is coming up, so smoothly ease back on the yoke and unstick those
wheels. Sometimes it may take just a tiny and quick jerk to get the wheels off the
pavement.
[4:47] All right, you're airborne. Now adjust your pitch up and down to maintain our
climb of VX, which is 55 knots. So maintain that same rotational airspeed. Nose down
will go faster, nose up you'll go slower, so adjust accordingly.

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[5:09] Now lift your head if you're able and make sure that you are tracking along the
runway center line. So you'll have to adjust for the wind. You can even try looking
behind you, if possible.
[5:19] So if something was to happen, we may have enough runway to touch down again.
So it's important we stay right over the runway. You'll have to adjust by turning into the
wind, as I said before and letting the aircraft track down along that center line.
[5:35] All right, good job. Hopefully, like the video, you have a stable climb at 55 knots.
Or you can go to VY of 67 knots and make sure you're tracking that runway center line,
still.
[5:46] So maintain your air speed, keep climbing and I'll see you in the next episode,
where we'll talk about power management.
[5:52] Until next time, throttle on.
Transcription by CastingWords