Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field & Maximum Performance Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

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

Private Pilot (Airplane) Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with a short-field takeoff, maximum performance climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field & Maximum Performance Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part 1, Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Obstacle Considerations:
    0:10
    Part 3, Factors Impacting Takeoff Performance:
    0:10
    Part 4, Takeoff Performance Calculations:
    0:10
    Part 5, Factors Impacting Climb Performance:
    0:10
    Part 6, Climb Performance Calculations:
    0:10
    Part 7, Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb Procedures:
    0:10
    Part 8, Anomalies and Malfunctions:
    0:10
    Part 9, Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb Risk Management:
    0:10
    Part 10, Guided Scenario(s):
    0:15
    Part 11, 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:

    • The goal of the Short-field approach and landing is to maximize aircraft performance in order to safely and accurately land the airplane, obtaining maximum performance, by touching down at the slowest possible airspeed
Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field & Maximum Performance Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field & Maximum Performance Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
  • Part 2, Obstacle Considerations:
    • Obstacle location relative to runway.
    • Climb gradient vs obstacle height.
    • Departure path analysis.
    • Terrain escape options.
    • Turn-back impossibility at low altitude.
    • Terrain funneling.
  • Part 3, Factors impacting takeoff performance:
    • Review surface wind impacts to short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs, including determining wind direction with or without visual indicators.
    • Review wind shear impacts to short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
    • Review wake turbulence considerations during short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
    • Review outside air temperature and field elevation/density altitude impacts to short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
      • Propeller efficiency reduction.
      • Engine power reduction.
      • Wing performance reduction.
      • Reduced acceleration rate.
      • Reduced climb gradient despite normal indications.
    • Review runway surface condition impacts to short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
      • Grass vs pavement rolling resistance.
      • Mud/snow/slush hydroplaning implications.
      • Braking degradation during rejected takeoff.
      • Wet grass performance hazards.
      • Surface contamination impact on acceleration.
    • Review runway slope impacts to short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
    • Review gross weight center of gravity impacts and to short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
    • Review power settings impacts to short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
    • Review flight profile impacts to short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
    • Review nose strut slope impacts to short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
    • Review tire pressure impacts to short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
    • Review best rate/best angle of climb.
      • Review Vx as best obstacle clearance performance given best angle.
      • Review Vx also reduces visibility/cooling margins if held.
      • Discuss Vy as performance/time-driven.
      • Discuss why Vx/Vy vary with altitude.
  • Part 4, Takeoff performance calculations:
    • Review Performance and Limitations lesson plan (as appropriate), specifically takeoff and climb performance.
    • Review weight & balance performance calculation.
  • Part 5, Factors impacting climb performance:
  • Part 6, Climb Performance Calculations:
  • Part 7, Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb Procedures:
  • Part 8, Anomalies and Malfunctions:
    • Review potential emergency procedures during short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs.
    • Review aborted/rejected takeoffs.
      • Acceleration checkpoints.
      • Abnormal engine indications.
      • Runway remaining assessment.
      • Go/no-go point concepts.
      • Continuing vs aborting tradeoffs.
  • Part 9, Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb Risk Management:
  • Part 10, Guided Scenario(s):
  • Part 11, Conclude Lesson:
    • Relate lesson to power-on stalls.
    • Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
    • Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
  • Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field & Maximum Performance Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Discuss the purpose of an conditions which warrant a short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs 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 short-field takeoff and maximum performance climbs 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:
Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field & Maximum Performance Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field & Maximum Performance Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field & Maximum Performance Takeoff & Climb Airman Certification Standards

  • To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with a short-field takeoff, maximum performance climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM; AIM
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
Skills 15 ACS Elements
  • PA.IV.E.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • PA.IV.E.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • PA.IV.E.S3:
    Verify assigned/correct runway.
  • PA.IV.E.S4:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • PA.IV.E.S5:
    Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
  • PA.IV.E.S6:
    Clear the area, taxi into takeoff position, and align the airplane on the runway centerline utilizing maximum available takeoff area.
  • PA.IV.E.S7:
    Apply brakes while setting engine power to achieve maximum performance.
  • PA.IV.E.S8:
    Confirm takeoff power prior to brake release and verify proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotation.
  • PA.IV.E.S11:
    Establish a pitch attitude for Vy and accelerate to Vy, +10/-5 knots after clearing the obstacle or at 50 feet AGL if simulating an obstacle.
  • PA.IV.E.S12:
    Configure the airplane in accordance with the manufacturer's guidance after a positive rate of climb has been verified.
  • PA.IV.E.S13:
    Maintain Vy +10/-5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
  • PA.IV.E.S14:
    Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.
  • PA.IV.E.S15:
    Comply with noise abatement procedures, as applicable.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Short Field & Maximum Performance Takeoff & Climb Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Short Field and Maximum Performance 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 Short Field and Maximum Performance 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.