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

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

Commercial 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.

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

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part , Introduce the lesson:
    0:05
    Part 1, Factors impacting takeoff performance:
    0:10
    Part 2, Takeoff performance calculations:
    0:10
    Part 3, Factors impacting climb performance:
    0:10
    Part 4, Climb Performance Calculations:
    0:10
    Part 5, Short-Field Takeoff & Maximum Performance Climb Procedures:
    0:10
    Part 6, Anomalies and Malfunctions:
    0:10
    Part 7, Safety:
    0:10
    Part 8, Guided Scenario(s):
    0:15
    Part 9, 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

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

Materials

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

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
  • Part 2, Factors impacting takeoff performance:
  • Part 3, Takeoff performance calculations:
    • Review Performance and Limitations lesson plan (as appropriate), specifically takeoff and climb performance.
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain weight & balance performance calculation.
    • Select the runway and calculate whether available distance and obstacle clearance are suitable for the airplane's performance, limitations, wind, and the pilot's capability. (CA.IV.E.R1)
  • Part 4, Factors impacting climb performance:
  • Part 5, Climb Performance Calculations:
  • Part 6, Short-Field Takeoff & Maximum Performance Climb Procedures:
    • Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain the manufacturer-recommended airplane configuration for a short-field takeoff and maximum performance climb. (CA.IV.E.K3)
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain short-field takeoff and maximum performance climb procedures and common errors.
    • Require the learner to complete the appropriate checklist, make radio calls, and verify the assigned or correct runway. (CA.IV.E.S1, CA.IV.E.S2, CA.IV.E.S3)
    • Require the learner to determine wind direction and position the flight controls for the existing wind. (CA.IV.E.S4, CA.IV.E.S5)
    • Require the learner to clear the area, use the maximum available takeoff area, and align the airplane with the runway centerline. (CA.IV.E.S6)
    • Require brakes to be held while setting maximum-performance takeoff power, then confirm takeoff power and proper engine and flight-instrument indications before brake release and rotation. (CA.IV.E.S7, CA.IV.E.S8)
    • Require rotation and liftoff at the recommended airspeed, followed by acceleration to the recommended obstacle-clearance speed or VX within 5 knots. (CA.IV.E.S9)
    • Maintain the recommended obstacle-clearance speed or VX within 5 knots until the obstacle is cleared or until 50 feet above the surface when the obstacle is simulated. (CA.IV.E.S10)
    • After obstacle clearance, establish the pitch attitude for VY, accelerate to VY within 5 knots, and configure the airplane after verifying a positive rate of climb. (CA.IV.E.S11, CA.IV.E.S12)
    • Maintain VY within 5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude while maintaining directional control and proper wind-drift correction. (CA.IV.E.S13, CA.IV.E.S14)
    • Comply with applicable noise-abatement procedures. (CA.IV.E.S15)
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain rejected takeoff considerations.
  • Part 7, Anomalies and Malfunctions:
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain potential emergency procedures during a short-field takeoff and maximum performance climb.
    • Plan for abnormal operations, including a rejected takeoff and a potential engine failure during the takeoff or climb. (CA.IV.E.R3, CA.IV.E.R3a, CA.IV.E.R3b)
  • Part 8, Safety:
  • Part 9, Guided Scenario(s):
    • Lead the guided scenario and require the learner to plan, brief, perform, and evaluate a short-field takeoff and maximum performance climb.
  • Part 10, Conclude Lesson:
    • Tie lesson back to previous lessons (power-on stalls) to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
    • 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) Short Field Takeoff & Maximum Performance Climb Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • Discuss the purpose of and conditions that warrant a short-field takeoff and maximum performance climb.
  • 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 covering different airfield elevations, temperatures, surface conditions, and winds for subsequent calculations, and discuss how they affect takeoff and climb performance.
  • Conduct a short-field takeoff and compare the actual liftoff location with the calculated location.
  • Discuss crosswind takeoff technique.
    • 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 the normal engine speed in revolutions per minute (RPM)?
    • 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) Short Field Takeoff & Maximum Performance Climb Lesson Plan

Student Actions

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

Airman Certification Standards

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb Lesson Plan Airman Certification Standards

  • Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with short-field takeoff, maximum performance climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures
  • References: AIM, FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Knowledge 3 ACS Elements
Risk Management 6 ACS Elements
Skills 15 ACS Elements
  • CA.IV.E.S1:
    Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
  • CA.IV.E.S2:
    Make radio calls as appropriate.
  • CA.IV.E.S3:
    Verify assigned/correct runway.
  • CA.IV.E.S4:
    Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
  • CA.IV.E.S5:
    Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
  • CA.IV.E.S6:
    Clear the area, taxi into takeoff position, and align the airplane on the runway centerline utilizing maximum available takeoff area.
  • CA.IV.E.S7:
    Apply brakes while setting engine power to achieve maximum performance.
  • CA.IV.E.S8:
    Confirm takeoff power prior to brake release and verify proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotation.
  • CA.IV.E.S11:
    Establish a pitch attitude for Vy and accelerate to Vy, ±5 knots after clearing the obstacle or at 50 feet AGL if simulating an obstacle.
  • CA.IV.E.S12:
    Configure the airplane in accordance with the manufacturer's guidance after a positive rate of climb has been verified.
  • CA.IV.E.S13:
    Maintain Vy ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
  • CA.IV.E.S14:
    Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.
  • CA.IV.E.S15:
    Comply with Comply with noise abatement procedures, as applicable.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Short Field Takeoff & Maximum Performance Climb Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Short Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance 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 Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb prepares commercial pilots for more demanding runway, weather, and aircraft-performance scenarios later in training.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.