Proper pre-takeoff planning and safety checks are essential for ensuring a safe takeoff and departure. Pilots must evaluate airplane performance, complete required checklists, assess potential emergency situations, and ensure that the takeoff path is clear before beginning the takeoff.
Pre-Takeoff Performance Planning
Before going to the airplane, the pilot should check the performance charts in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) or Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to determine the predicted performance and decide whether the airplane is capable of a safe takeoff and climb under the prevailing conditions and at the intended location.
High density altitudes reduce engine and propeller performance, increase takeoff roll distances, and decrease climb performance. A more detailed discussion of density altitude and its effects on airplane performance can be found in the Aeronautical Knowledge section.
Pre-Takeoff Checklist and Safety Considerations
All run-up and pre-takeoff checklist items should be completed before taxiing onto the runway or takeoff area. At a minimum, before every takeoff, all engine instruments should be checked for proper and usual indications, and all flight controls should be checked for full, free, and correct movement.
The pilot should also consider the available options in the event of an engine failure after takeoff. These options include determining the preferred direction for any emergency turns toward suitable landing sites, based on the departure path, altitude, wind conditions, and terrain.
In addition, the pilot should ensure that the approach and takeoff paths are clear of other aircraft. At nontowered airports, pilots should announce their intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) assigned to that airport. When operating from a towered airport, pilots must contact the tower and receive a takeoff clearance before taxiing onto the active runway.
Wake Turbulence and Runway Alignment
Taking off immediately behind another aircraft, particularly a large and heavy transport airplane, creates the risk of encountering wake turbulence, which could result in a loss of control.
If an immediate takeoff behind a large, heavy aircraft is necessary, the pilot should plan to minimize the possibility of flying through the preceding aircraft’s wake turbulence. This can be accomplished by avoiding the other aircraft’s flightpath or by rotating before the point at which the preceding aircraft rotated.
While taxiing onto the runway, the pilot should select ground reference points aligned with the runway direction. These references help maintain directional control and runway centerline alignment during the climb-out.
Suitable reference points may include runway centerline markings, runway lighting, distant trees, towers, buildings, or mountain peaks.