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Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Sun Jul 15, 2007 11:00 pm
by chrism7262
hey,
i was wondering how to take off with bigger planes in a shorter distance and if it is even possible to do. sometimes with bigger airliners, even on longer runways, seem to get off the ground at the last minute or maybe not even at all. is there something i can do or do you have top edit the flight dynamics??
thanks for the help!!
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:41 am
by Formula_1
Are you sure you are getting full take off power?
The plane isn't overloaded? Sometimes with 100% full some planes are over their limit.
Using takeoff flap settings?
Holding the brakes until the engines spool up?
I have never had a real problem getting off the ground and I have taken off from some rather short strips in heavies before. I have actually taken off and landed a 747 from my home base with a 6400 ft runway. I did have a light fuel load of probably about 25%, less of course when I landed.
This was not realistic though, as a plane of that size would not be allowed to operate there. I believe the limit is 55,000 lbs.
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:32 am
by Nav
chrism, as Formula_1 says, applying power before you release the brakes will help a little.
Other helps would be:-
1. Set more flap. You don't say which aeroplane you're using, but assuming it's an airliner, try 10 or 15 degrees instead of the normal 5%. Flaps provide more lift at low speed and therefore the aeroplane will be able to 'unstick' earlier, i.e. at a lower speed.
2. Set the pitch trim to around 2 degrees up. This will make it easier to lift off.
3. Get the nosewheel off the ground as early in the takeoff run as you can - the aeroplane will gather speed quicker once the nosewheel is up.
Whichever aeroplane you're using, go to the Learning Centre, look it up in the Index (e.g. 'B' for 'Boeing'), and check settings, speeds, pre-takeoff checks etc. to make sure you're doing everything right. Also check the kneeboard notes.
Hope that helps.
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:24 am
by Fozzer
Read the "Operations Manual" for each aircraft you intend to fly.
It will instruct you on all the details and settings necessary for you to operate the aircraft safely, and within its limits.
(It may be included in the download).
Paul...G-BPLF... 8-)....!
http://www.esscoaircraft.com/
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:28 am
by garymbuska
In the real world airlines have books on every aircraft they fly and in these books are all of the settings one needs to take off from different length runways. But as a rule of thumb as you shorten the runway you will need to add flaps and lighten the aircraft either by less fuel or less cargo. I worked for Delta Air Lines at KJAX and we used to have a B727-200 come in that was going nonstop to KDFW and whenever the weather was bad we had to turn it into a flying fuel farm, And that meant we could only carry passangers and there bags and no other cargo at all. Even then the plane would be close to MTOW. There were times when we would have to remove some bags just to get the weight down.
So the most important number you want to know is MTOW (MAX TAKEOFF WEIGHT) if you exceed this number you will not find a runway long enough. 8-)
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:22 am
by dave3cu
.....There were times when we would have to remove some bags just to get the weight down.......
So that's where all that 'missing baggage' goes......
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:56 am
by Zaphod
.....There were times when we would have to remove some bags just to get the weight down.......
So that's where all that 'missing baggage' goes......
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:04 am
by chrism7262
hey thanks a lot for all the help. by the way its a 767-400 and its not a problem getting the nosewheel off its the back ones. landing it i have no problems but more flaps and less weight helps!!
thanks again!!
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:12 am
by Dan Morera
Make sure you are taking off against the wind.
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:42 am
by Fozzer
Make sure you are taking off against the wind.
..not all that easy...
Most of our wind comes from our tail-end!...

...

....!
LOL...

...!
Paul..."Wind in the hair, etc".....

...!
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:21 pm
by Conan Edogawa
When I'm flying the PoSky 747, I've got the problem that the plane only lifts off very slowly at about 190 kts. I can't lift the nose for more than 7,5
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:00 pm
by Isak922
[quote]When I'm flying the PoSky 747, I've got the problem that the plane only lifts off very slowly at about 190 kts. I can't lift the nose for more than 7,5
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:58 pm
by Dan Morera
[quote][quote]When I'm flying the PoSky 747, I've got the problem that the plane only lifts off very slowly at about 190 kts. I can't lift the nose for more than 7,5
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:58 pm
by elite marksman
No, not necessarily true. It is possible to have a tailstrike and have the tail (the important bits, anyway) remain firmly attached to the airframe. I used to do it all the time when I first started trying to fly the heavies.
In order to avoid a tailstrike, try not to pull back on the stick too hard. The highest AoA you should have during takeoff is 10*. I tend to only lift the nose to ~5* until I know that I'm flying, then pull it back so I can settle down into a nice AoA that balances rate of climb and still allows me to accelerate reasonably.
Re: Shorter takeoffs

Posted:
Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:38 pm
by swordfish1227
I have found that if you put the flaps down for takeoff the plane will not accellerate well. If you spool the engines before releasing the brakes, release the brakes, and halfway down the runway you put in full flaps you will takeoff almost every time. This isn't realistic though.