Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area V, Task A

The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal takeoff, climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part 1, Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Factors Impacting Takeoff Performance:
    0:10
    Part 3, Takeoff Performance Calculations:
    0:10
    Part 4, Factors Impacting Climb Performance:
    0:10
    Part 5, Climb Performance Calculations:
    0:10
    Part 6, Normal Takeoff & Climb Procedures:
    0:10
    Part 7, Anomalies and Malfunctions:
    0:10
    Part 8, Safety:
    0:10
    Part 9, Guided Scenario(s):
    0:15
    Part 10, Conclude Lesson:
    0:10
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
    • Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap.
    • Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap.
    • Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario.

  • Motivator:

    • Normal aircraft takeoffs are the most basic of all takeoff procedures/maneuvers.
    • The purpose of this maneuver is to safely execute a takeoff under normal conditions (i.e., hard surface, minimal wind, plenty of available takeoff distance).
    • Normal takeoffs are closely related to the performance of flight at minimum controllable airspeeds.
    • While this procedure is for normal landing, assuming the wind is blowing right down the runway, that will almost never be the case.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Materials

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Discuss the purpose of an conditions which warrant a normal takeoff and climb procedure.
  • Conduct a weight and balance calculation for the day.
  • Conduct a takeoff distance calculation for the day, noting where takeoff should occur in reference to the airport runways (save for later in lesson)
    • Provide simulated variables that cover different airfield elevations (takeoff distance), temperatures, surface conditions, and winds for subsequent calculations and discuss on how they effect takeoff and climb performance.
  • Conduct a normal takeoff and compare actual rotation location to calculated location.
  • Discuss how crosswind takeoffs.
    • How do control inputs change as the aircraft accelerates?
    • How does the pilot manage the liftoff/transition to climb?
  • Discuss rejecting the takeoff in the rain/snow.
    • How would rejecting a takeoff on a wet runway change a pilot's action?
    • How would performance change?
  • Discuss an engine failure on takeoff roll, just after takeoff, and while in the climb.
    • How does a pilot recognize loss of performance? What is normal RPM expected?
    • How do pilot options change as the aircraft gains altitude?
  • Discuss the importance of checking for aircraft on final before taxiing onto the runway.
    • What are some reasons pilots may be on final without other pilots otherwise knowing?
  • Discuss hazards by providing an example of taking off after a larger aircraft (windshear).
  • Discuss minimum safe altitudes.
    • Describe minimum safe altitudes for a given area?
    • Discuss how minimum safe altitudes apply to takeoff/airport operations?
  • Discuss reasons where Vx and Vy would be most appropriate for climbout.
  • Discuss risk in climb (power-on stall) as well as terrain avoidance being low altitude, nose-high, high workload.
  • Discuss why noise abatement procedures exist and where to find them.
    • Have student locate noise abatement procedures for the local or a nearby airport.
  • Related scenarios:
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
  • CA.IV.A.K1:
    Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • CA.IV.A.K2:
    Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • CA.IV.A.K3:
    Appropriate airplane configuration.
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • CA.IV.A.R1:
    Selection of runway or takeoff path based on aircraft performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • CA.IV.A.R2:
    Effects of:
    • CA.IV.A.R2a: Crosswind.
    • CA.IV.A.R2b: Windshear.
    • CA.IV.A.R2c: Tailwind.
    • CA.IV.A.R2d: Wake turbulence.
    • CA.IV.A.R2e: Takeoff surface/condition.
  • CA.IV.A.R3:
    Abnormal operations, including planning for:
    • CA.IV.A.R3a: Rejected takeoff.
    • CA.IV.A.R3b: Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight.
  • CA.IV.A.R4:
    Collision hazards.
  • CA.IV.A.R5:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • CA.IV.A.R6:
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • CA.IV.A.R7:
    Runway incursion.
Skills 15 ACS Elements
  • CA.IV.A.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CA.IV.A.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • CA.IV.A.S3:
    Verify assigned/correct runway or takeoff path.
  • CA.IV.A.S4:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • CA.IV.A.S5:
    Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
  • CA.IV.A.S6:
    Clear the area, taxi into takeoff position, and align the airplane on the runway centerline (ASEL, AMEL) or takeoff path (ASES, AMES).
    • CA.IV.A.S6a: Retract the water rudders, as appropriate (ASES, AMES).
  • CA.IV.A.S7:
    Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and confirm proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotation.
  • CA.IV.A.S8:
    Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s) (ASES, AMES).
  • CA.IV.A.S10:
    [Archived].
  • CA.IV.A.S11:
    Establish a pitch attitude to maintain the manufacturer's recommended speed or VY, ±5 knots.
  • CA.IV.A.S12:
    Configure the airplane in accordance with manufacturer's guidance.
  • CA.IV.A.S13:
    Maintain VY ± knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
  • CA.IV.A.S14:
    Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.
  • CA.IV.A.S15:
    Comply with noise abatement procedures, as applicable.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Normal Takeoff and Climb combines performance planning, directional control, and precise aircraft configuration during a phase of flight with little time or altitude to correct errors.
    • Wind, runway condition, density altitude, weight, obstacles, and aircraft limitations must be evaluated before committing to the takeoff.
    • Briefing abort points, continuously evaluating acceleration and aircraft response, and acting decisively when performance is not as expected transform calculations into meaningful risk management.
    • Continued practice with Normal Takeoff and Climb prepares commercial pilots for more demanding runway, weather, and aircraft-performance scenarios later in training.

  • Closure:

    • The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
    • To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.
    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.