Short/Soft Field Takeoff

[Fly_Chick]

I teach on short fields to apply full power while holding the brakes. I also teach my students that full power while holding brakes is not solely to increase acceleration after brake release.

While full power is applied, the student should look at the engine gauges to make sure everything is reading correctly/normally, and should also be listening to the sound of the engine to make sure is sounds normal.

 

[Lead Sled]

I teach on short fields to apply full power while holding the brakes. I also teach my students that full power while holding brakes is not solely to increase acceleration after brake release. While full power is applied, the student should look at the engine gauges to make sure everything is reading correctly/normally, and should also be listening to the sound of the engine to make sure is sounds normal.

That technique is all well and good and is fine for training and for the checkride. However, in the real world that Avbug mentioned, you'll make the aircraft owner's and mechanic's "A-List" when you do a static run up to full power prior to brake release. Reread his post. In the real world, short fields are usually soft and soft fields are usually short. These types of "runways" usually have a plethora of things like gravel, etc. that do wonders for propellers. I've flown off of many short/soft fields and as Avbug said, the proper technique is usually a combination of the techniques. Just some thoughts.

'Sled

 

[DaveJ]

Note that some fields are softer than they are short. Many years ago, when I was still a low-time private pilot, I had to make a precautionary landing in a recently plowed farmer's field in my C150. One of the fuel caps had come loose and was banging around on the wing. I was watching the fuel siphon off the back of the wing and wondering if I would make it to airport before the fuel tanks were sucked dry. I was right over a huge farm, however, so I elected to land and replace the fuel cap. By the way, my landing roll was very, very short since it had rained the day before.

Although my landing was good, I did not keep the nose up on the take off roll and got the a/c bogged down in the dirt (it was are really, really soft field). So I hike the mile or so to the farmer's house, explain my situation and he uses his tractor to tow me to a higher, dryer part of the fiield. This time, my soft field technique was better and I made it back to my home airport.

The lesson I learned was that improper soft field technique can prevent you from taking off at all if the field is truly soft.

I agree with the other posters that most grass strips are not really soft fields, but are more likely to be short.

 

[minitour]

Mini,

If you don't like the advice, don't ask.

Didn't say I didn't "like" the advice, just the way it was presented. You kinda get high on yourself sometimes man...there was no need to get smart assed with the "reality check" comment. Other than that, your advice was terriffic and I agree 100% with it...just not the smart-ass delivery.

Read. Think. Shut up, and think about it some more. You might just learn something.

...and there you go again

Keep it on, Mini

Nah...aparently I need to learn to read the PTS and just learn to pass the test...right? Thanks though for the kind words and more....normal delivery !

Anyway...thanks to everyone (including you avbug...like I said, not the advice but the delivery...it's called tact) for the advice/input! Much appreciated!

-mini

 

[JAFI]

"like I said, not the advice but the delivery...it's called tact) "

You mean like biteing the hand that feeds you. Every post is a gift, the value of the gift depends on many things. If the gift is food for the starving (or information for the unknowing) is it tact to say, "I'll take the food but next time smile when you give it"? You take the gift but comment on the wrapping paper?

Mini, the first post I read of yours was when you said "I would not piss on a FAA Inspector if he were on fire". An intresting comment from some one who most likely never worked with or even meet an Inspector in his then entire 100 hour pilot life. You ask many questions, IMHO a sign of intellegence but you make statements that only an idot would make.

Avbug is this a lost sheep or a lost cause?

JAFI

 

[falcon20driver]

Super Cubs are great, don't need a runway, soon as your throttle is open you're airborne. http://www.supercub.org/rotation/Randy_Kilbourn3.jpg

 

[qmaster3]

Watch Out. When The Rath Of Mini Unleashes....hollllleeeey Shiaat.

 

[9GClub]

HA! We rock, gotta love the egos all around. ("By the way, I'm a pilot!")
It's a heck of a fraternity.

With respect to the short/soft field.......... if they can use the plane again.....

 

[minitour]

Mini, the first post I read of yours was when you said "I would not piss on a FAA Inspector if he were on fire". An intresting comment from some one who most likely never worked with or even meet an Inspector in his then entire 100 hour pilot life.

If you can show me where I said that, I'll gladly retract. Do I believe in volunteering information that could fry my ass? Nope.

Is it possible I spouted off that comment? Yeah...I'll be the first to admit I screw up. I'm not making claims that I'm perfect, know everything or that I'm not an @s$hole...I'll admit every one of those. So if I said that, I'll retract it...but for the life of me, I don't remember it.

Avbug is this a lost sheep or a lost cause?

JAFI

Statistic in the making, right?

Like I said...not that I didn't appreciate or agree with the advice and input...just the manner in which it was delivered. I didn't see a need for the "reality check" comment to start off the post.

Who knows...maybe he didn't mean it to be smartassed...and if that's the case then I apologize for taking it out of context and (aparently) starting a pissing contest...it's quite possible that I didn't hear the tone in his voice by reading the text...and if so, I'll admit I effed up. Is this the case?

-mini

 

[midlifeflyer]

I'm going to agree with Mini. And on "reality check" grounds.

The reality is that the way a message is presented =does= have an effect on the content. Good knowledge, delivered badly, is going to find a limited audience and receive a bad response that, if not necessarily deserved, is definitely to be expected. Good teachers all know that.