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SAFETY
STARTING OFF RIGHT
A good start to your flight sets the tone for your day.
by Joe Casey
What does it take to get a good start to your day? For me, a good breakfast and some time to myself to read. My break- fast almost always two poached eggs with toast and juice, maybe a banana. I’m weird in that most of my days start the same, but I’ve learned an easy way to poach eggs and this has become my routine. I’ll check email and read some- thing related to my faith or read about some topic that interests me. That’s my flow. I like it to be unhurried with lots of time for contemplation and thought. Days that start that way start well. Days that don’t...well, they don’t.
It is the same with every flight. You need to start every flight well. You need to start every flight with a takeoff that will lead you to success for the rest of the flight. A good beginning is important.
Any takeoff is critical because
you are going from near zero energy state to max energy state. Everything changes. Power goes from idle to max
power available, airspeed is constantly increasing, and aerodynamic forces are increasing rapidly. It is a truly dynamic situation, not one that should be approached with a casual attitude. You need to be on top of your game to do it well.
I think it should be said early in
this discussion...takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory. Choose wisely. Although the decision to depart on
a flight should be made before even arriving at the airport, you always
have the option to cancel the flight, even after progressing to the point of lining up on the runway. There have been many times when I’ve advanced the throttle with a weird feeling in my gut that something just wasn’t right. Usually, that is because something was not right, and the takeoff roll is a bad place for “not right” to occur.
Do you hear a difference in engine noise or vibration? How close is that thunderstorm? Does your perception of the ceiling and visibility agree
with AWOS/ATIS? Is that windsock pointing in the wrong direction? Did I rush things?
Dang, I forgot to turn on that switch...what else did I forget? Are
the fuel caps on properly? Did I stow the steering bar? All of these are great questions that deserve an answer before you advance that power lever.
If it doesn’t feel right, then taxi off the runway and give yourself the benefit of a second look.
For me, the takeoff starts when I’m holding short of the runway.
The “Before Takeoff Checklist” is complete. But there’s still some more that I do as a function of habit. Here’s my personal list:
Is it clear?: I always look down the approach path to the runway and ensure the final approach is clear. I literally announce “runway is clear,” even if I’m the only one in the airplane. I can’t tell you how many times this has saved my bacon by not taxiing in front of a landing airplane. If you operate out
34 MMOPA MAGAZINE JULY / AUGUST 2021