Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

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 and Climb Lesson Plan Introduction

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:

0:15

Part 10, Conclude Lesson:

0:10

Remotivation/Closure:

0:05

Total Ground Time:

1:35
Attention Getter:
- Research a mishap case study:
  - Takeoff and Climb Case Studies.
- 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 and Climb Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Materials

Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Weight and Balance worksheet.
- Pilot Information/Operating Handbook.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log.
Reference Materials:
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.
- Federal Aviation Regulations Part 93.
- Aeronautical Information Manual.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Airman Certification Standards:
  - Hard copies of the ACS and Oral Exam Guides are available on Amazon.
  - Digital copies of the ACS are available on the FAA's website.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Instructor Actions

Before the lesson, review reference materials.
Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention-getter and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards.
- Introduce normal takeoff and climb.
Part 2, Factors Impacting Takeoff Performance:
- Introduce surface wind impacts to normal takeoff and climb performance, including determining wind direction with or without visual indicators.
- Introduce wind shear impacts to normal takeoff and climb performance.
- Introduce wake turbulence considerations during normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce outside air temperature and field elevation/density altitude impacts to normal takeoff and climb performance.
- Introduce runway surface condition impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce runway slope impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce gross weight center of gravity impacts and to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce power settings impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce flight profile impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce note strut slope impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
- Introduce tire pressure impacts to normal takeoff and climb.
Part 3, Takeoff Performance Calculations:
- Review Performance and Limitations lesson plan (as appropriate), specifically takeoff and climb performance.
- Review weight & balance performance calculation.
Part 4, Factors Impacting Climb Performance:
- Introduce best rate/best angle of climb.
Part 5, Climb Performance Calculations:
- Introduce determining Top-of-Climb (TOC), connecting TOC's relevance in cross-country flight planning.
- Introduce determining climb gradient, connecting climb gradient to departure procedure flight planning.
- Introduce determining rate-of-climb requirements, connecting climb rate to obstacle avoidance.
Part 4, Normal Takeoff & Climb Procedures:
- Review taxiing, as required.
- Introduce aircraft configuration considerations.
- Introduce normal takeoff procedures.
- Introduce normal takeoff common errors.
- Introduce rejected takeoff considerations.
Part 7, Anomalies and Malfunctions:
- Introduce potential emergency procedures during normal takeoff & climb.
- Introduce aborted/rejected takeoffs.
Part 8, Safety:
- Introduce collision hazards.
- Introduce low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin and controlled flight into terrain risks.
- Introduce distractions, task prioritization, situational awareness, and disorientation.
- Introduce runway incursion risks.
Part 9, Guided Scenario:
Part 10, 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.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and 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 V_x and V_y 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) Power-On Stalls Guided Scenario.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Student Actions

Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
Ask pertinent questions.
Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate.

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

Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with preparation for safe flight
References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-23 (Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook), FAA-H-8033-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge), FAA-h_8083-28; POH/AFM

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Knowledge:

The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:

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.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Risk Management:

The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:

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.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Skills:

The applicant exhibits the skills to:

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.S7a:
  Establish and maintain the most efficient planing/lift-off attitude, and correct for porpoising or skipping (ASES, AMES).
CA.IV.A.S8:
Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s) (ASES, AMES).
CA.IV.A.S9:
Rotate and lift off at the recommended airspeed and accelerate to V_Y.
CA.IV.A.S10:
[Archived].
CA.IV.A.S11:
Establish a pitch attitude to maintain the manufacturer’s recommended speed or V_Y, ±5 knots.
CA.IV.A.S12:
Configure the airplane in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance.
CA.IV.A.S13:
Maintain V_Y ± 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 and Climb Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Conclusion

Re-Motivation:
Closure:
- The FAA provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about earning 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.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Introduction

Attention Getter:

Motivator:

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Materials

Required Materials:

Optional Materials:

Reference Materials:

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Instructor Actions

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Student Actions

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

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Knowledge:

CA.IV.A.K1:

CA.IV.A.K2:

CA.IV.A.K3:

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Risk Management:

CA.IV.A.R1:

CA.IV.A.R2:

CA.IV.A.R2a:

CA.IV.A.R2b:

CA.IV.A.R2c:

CA.IV.A.R2d:

CA.IV.A.R2e:

CA.IV.A.R3:

CA.IV.A.R3a:

CA.IV.A.R3b:

CA.IV.A.R4:

CA.IV.A.R5:

CA.IV.A.R6:

CA.IV.A.R7:

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Skills:

CA.IV.A.S1:

CA.IV.A.S2:

CA.IV.A.S3:

CA.IV.A.S4:

CA.IV.A.S5:

CA.IV.A.S6:

CA.IV.A.S6a:

CA.IV.A.S7:

CA.IV.A.S7a:

CA.IV.A.S8:

CA.IV.A.S9:

CA.IV.A.S10:

CA.IV.A.S11:

CA.IV.A.S12:

CA.IV.A.S13:

CA.IV.A.S14:

CA.IV.A.S15:

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Normal Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Conclusion

Re-Motivation:

Closure: