Private Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IV, Task A

The Private 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.

Private 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, Risk Management and 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.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Phase 1 – Preflight Decision Making:
    • A pilot is planning a training flight in the local area. They remembered always reviewing takeoff performance during flight training so they get to it.
      • Question: What Federal Aviation Regulation discuss takeoff and climb? What do they say?
      • What factors are affecting your takeoff performance today?
      • How does density altitude impact: Takeoff roll? Climb rate?
      • Is this still a "normal" takeoff? / At this point, is this low, medium, or high risk according to personal minimums?
    • A pilot heard about noise abatement procedures
      • Where are noise abatement procedures found?
      • What are the noise abatement procedures for the local training airport?
  • Phase 2 – Performance Validation:
    • Perform a takeoff calculation as it relates to the scenario if not already completed.
    • If a pilot was flying somewhere for lunch and returning home that same day:
      • Considerations when flying from an altitude at lower elevation to one that is higher in elevation?
      • Considerations when flying from a cold area to warm area? Vice versa?
      • Considerations whenf lying from a prepared surface to unprepared surface? Vice versa?
    • Given the distance, where should runway rotation occur (visually)?
    • Using a rule of thumb which states achieving 70% by 50% of the runway, where and at what speed is the abort criteria evaluated?
      • Are there any other factors?
  • Runway & Risk Adjustment:
    • While taxiing using appropriate taxi corrections, the pilot notices the winds are different than expected.
      • How does even a small tailwind affect takeoff performance?
      • Should a new runway be chosen?
  • Takeoff Roll (Real-Time Coaching):
    • Discuss steps from clearance to takeoff.
    • You are halfway down the runway and not airborne yet.
      • How does a pilot recognize loss of performance? What is normal RPM expected?
      • Continue or reject?
      • What cues tell you performance is insufficient?
      • Where is your abort point?
    • The pilot, unsatisfied with the aircraft's performance decides to abort.
      • What is the appropriate procedure?
      • What considerations are there for aborting a takeoff at 10 knots? 25 knots? 50 knots? Snow, Rain, Ice?
      • What considerations are there for the environmentals?
  • A heavy aircraft just departed and the controller states "caution, wake turbulence."
    • Do you delay takeoff?
    • Where is the hazard?
  • Crosswind Considerations:
    • How do control inputs change as the aircraft accelerates?
    • How does the pilot manage the liftoff/transition to climb?
  • Initial Climb Emergency:
    • Shortly after liftoff, climb performance is poor.
      • Are you achieving expected airspeed?
      • Vx or Vy - which do you use and why?
      • What is your plan if the engine fails right now?
  • Assuming a good aircraft in a climb, there are trees on the departure:
    • Do you use Vx or Vy?
    • When do you transition?
  • On climbout, an aircraft is seen above you crossing from left to right.
    • Who has right-of-way?
    • Continue climb or maneuver?
    • Collision avoidance priorities?
  • Reflections:
    • Would you have departed today?
    • What would you change?
    • What was your biggest risk?
  • Related scenarios:
Private Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff & Climb Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
Skills 15 ACS Elements
  • PA.IV.A.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PA.IV.A.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • PA.IV.A.S3:
    Verify assigned/correct runway or takeoff path.
  • PA.IV.A.S4:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • PA.IV.A.S5:
    Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
  • PA.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).
    • PA.IV.A.S6a: Retract the water rudders, as appropriate (ASES, AMES).
  • PA.IV.A.S7:
    Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and confirm proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotation.
  • PA.IV.A.S8:
    Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s) (ASES, AMES).
  • PA.IV.A.S10:
    [Archived].
  • PA.IV.A.S11:
    Establish a pitch attitude to maintain the manufacturer's recommended speed or VY, +10/-5 knots.
  • PA.IV.A.S12:
    Configure the airplane in accordance with manufacturer's guidance.
  • PA.IV.A.S13:
    Maintain Vy +10/-5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
  • PA.IV.A.S14:
    Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.
  • PA.IV.A.S15:
    noise abatement procedures, as applicable.
Private 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 private 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.