Mountain Pilot
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2010
- Messages
- 267
- Reaction score
- 6
Take-off Technique - Revisited...
Summer is upon us and with us looking for new and interesting places to visit, lets revisit what we have learned about Hot Weather and Higher Altitude Flying.
Even the 150 hp Cherokee can take off at 10,000 feet density altitude and clear 12,000 ft passes. I do it all the time, I have no choice other than not flying during the summer. Doing it safely is the trick.
Summer time flying:
- Lean engine at full power before take-off - Check for proper static RPM
- Longer runways are needed
- Compute speed needed at 1/2 point on runway or abort - I use 80% of take off speed -
- Stay on the ground and do not rotate until past the computed T/O speed
- Accelerate in ground effect until climb speed.
- Keep fuel at 1/2 to 3/4 max - ship luggage by UPS to meet you at destination - Minimum passengers - I have flown out passengers one at a time to a lower and longer runway airport -
- Depart as early in the morning as possible - I will plan to depart at sunrise - Cool air, no down drafts and minimum wind.
- If it is important that you get to your destination at a set time or date, Drive don't fly...
Remember " If you got time to spare, go by air"
Please fly safe this summer, I want to see you this Fall posting messages about the fun places you have visited... Take Photos....
-
Summer is upon us and with us looking for new and interesting places to visit, lets revisit what we have learned about Hot Weather and Higher Altitude Flying.
Even the 150 hp Cherokee can take off at 10,000 feet density altitude and clear 12,000 ft passes. I do it all the time, I have no choice other than not flying during the summer. Doing it safely is the trick.
Summer time flying:
- Lean engine at full power before take-off - Check for proper static RPM
- Longer runways are needed
- Compute speed needed at 1/2 point on runway or abort - I use 80% of take off speed -
- Stay on the ground and do not rotate until past the computed T/O speed
- Accelerate in ground effect until climb speed.
- Keep fuel at 1/2 to 3/4 max - ship luggage by UPS to meet you at destination - Minimum passengers - I have flown out passengers one at a time to a lower and longer runway airport -
- Depart as early in the morning as possible - I will plan to depart at sunrise - Cool air, no down drafts and minimum wind.
- If it is important that you get to your destination at a set time or date, Drive don't fly...
Remember " If you got time to spare, go by air"
Please fly safe this summer, I want to see you this Fall posting messages about the fun places you have visited... Take Photos....
-
