Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough Field Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan
The Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough Field Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with soft-field takeoff, climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough Field Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Introduction
-
Attention Getter:
- Research 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:
- Soft field takeoffs maximize performance when departing from a soft or rough runway surface
- Otherwise "hard" surfaces can become "soft" following rainstorms or disturbance
- These soft and rough surfaces provide unique challenges which may make the aircraft harder to control and reduce acceleration
- Additionally, with soft and perhaps bumpy surfaces, you are at risk of getting the nose wheel stuck
- For this reason, procedures may specify a flap setting
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough Field 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.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough Field 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 soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Part 2, Factors impacting takeoff performance:
- Introduce surface wind impacts to soft/rough field takeoff and climb performance, including determining wind direction with or without visual indicators.
- Introduce wind shear impacts to soft/rough field takeoff and climb performance.
- Introduce wake turbulence considerations during soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Introduce outside air temperature and field elevation/density altitude impacts to soft/rough field takeoff and climb performance.
- Introduce runway surface condition impacts to soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Introduce runway slope impacts to soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Introduce gross weight center of gravity impacts and to soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Introduce power settings impacts to soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Introduce flight profile impacts to soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Introduce note strut slope impacts to soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Introduce tire pressure impacts to soft/rough field takeoff and climb.
- Introduce ground effect.
- Introduce the importance of weight transfer.
- Introduce the four left turning tendencies.
- 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, Soft/Rough Field Takeoff & Climb Procedures:
- Review taxiing, as required.
- Introduce aircraft configuration considerations.
- Introduce soft/rough field takeoff procedures.
- Introduce soft/rough field takeoff common errors.
- Introduce rejected takeoff considerations.
- Part 7, Anomalies and Malfunctions:
- Introduce potential emergency procedures during soft/rough field 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.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough Field Takeoff and Climb Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)
- Discuss the purpose of an conditions which warrant a soft/rough field 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 soft/rough field 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 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) Soft/Rough Field 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.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough Field Takeoff and Climb Airman Certification Standards
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with soft-field takeoff, climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures.
- References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough-Field Takeoff and Climb (ASEL) Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:-
PA.IV.C.K1:
Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance. -
PA.IV.C.K2:
Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY). -
PA.IV.C.K3:
Appropriate airplane configuration. -
PA.IV.C.K4:
Ground effect. -
PA.IV.C.K5:
Importance of weight transfer from wheels to wings. -
PA.IV.C.K6:
Left turning tendencies.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough-Field Takeoff and Climb (ASEL) Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:-
PA.IV.C.R1:
Selection of runway based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind. -
PA.IV.C.R2:
Effects of:-
PA.IV.C.R2a:
Crosswind. -
PA.IV.C.R2b:
Windshear. -
PA.IV.C.R2c:
Tailwind. -
PA.IV.C.R2d:
Wake turbulence. -
PA.IV.C.R2e:
Takeoff surface/condition.
-
-
PA.IV.C.R3:
Abnormal operations, to include planning for:-
PA.IV.C.R3a:
Rejected takeoff. -
PA.IV.C.R3b:
Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight.
-
-
PA.IV.C.R4:
Collision hazards. -
PA.IV.C.R5:
Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
PA.IV.C.R6:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough-Field Takeoff and Climb (ASEL) Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:-
PA.IV.C.S1:
Complete the appropriate checklist(s). -
PA.IV.C.S2:
Make radio calls as appropriate. -
PA.IV.C.S3:
Verify assigned/correct runway. -
PA.IV.C.S4:
Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators. -
PA.IV.C.S5:
Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable. -
PA.IV.C.S6:
Clear the area, maintain necessary flight control inputs, taxi into takeoff position and align the airplane on the runway centerline without stopping, while advancing the throttle smoothly to takeoff power. -
PA.IV.C.S7:
Confirm takeoff power and proper engine and flight instrument indications. -
PA.IV.C.S8:
Establish and maintain a pitch attitude that transfers the weight of the airplane from the wheels to the wings as rapidly as possible. -
PA.IV.C.S9:
Lift off at the lowest possible airspeed and remain in ground effect while accelerating to Vx or Vy, as appropriate. -
PA.IV.C.S10:
Establish a pitch attitude for Vx or Vy, as appropriate, and maintain selected airspeed +10/-5 knots during the climb. -
PA.IV.C.S11:
Configure the airplane after a positive rate of climb has been verified or in accordance with airplane manufacturer's instructions. -
PA.IV.C.S12:
Maintain Vx or Vy, as appropriate, +10/-5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude. -
PA.IV.C.S13:
Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb. -
PA.IV.C.S14:
noise abatement procedures, as applicable.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Soft/Rough Field 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.