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.

[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.

[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