That Takeoff Emergency
The professional aviators who fly for a living spend a lot of time in flight simulation. The corporate flight departments and airline training departments spend a lot of time and effort to develop training profiles. These profiles turn into flight simulation training course lesson plans. One of the maneuvers that is practiced the most is what is called the Vee-One-Cut (V1). An engine failure at or after V1, on takeoff.
Runway speed is measured as Velocity or “V”. As an aircraft accelerates for takeoff it goes through several V-speed categories where the pilots measure A/C performance. Let’s look at these V-speed measurements:
V-1: Takeoff Decision Speed: At this speed and below, any abnormality in A/C performance to accelerate or anything the pilots feels is not right, is a reason to reject the takeoff. It’s the most important airspeed we encounter on any takeoff!
V-R: Rotation Airspeed: This is for larger A/C, not used in single engine or light twin engined A/C.
V-2: Minimum Takeoff Safety Speed: At this speed the A/C has enough speed to fly, considering the pilot has figured the gross weight and expected T/O performance of the A/C. It is the next most important airspeed we encounter.
V-MC: Minimum Controllable airspeed: Used for twin and multi- engined A/C. DO NOT rotate an A/C below this speed! (FAR Part 1, Pg 1.1, 1.2).
There are many other airspeeds that are also important; but these speeds above are what we need to know for getting your tail-in-the-air!
Now, let’s discuss that takeoff EMERGENCY!
The first Will-ism today is: NEVER TAKEOFF FROM A RUNWAY INTERSECTION! Always give yourself and your A/C the full opportunity to reach flying speed before running out of concrete.
Whether it is your home airfield or not, have a plan of action figured out for the day when that trusty-ole engine doesn’t want to go flying. Look around the airport as you walk out to your A/C and think about what to do ‘IF’! Can you fly straight ahead and know where to perform that EMER LANDING? OR Can you make a 180, which may turn out to be a 90 followed by a 270? All these maneuvers take up much more real estate and those 3 precious things all pilots need: ALTITUDE, AIRSPEED, and LUCK!
Let’s refer to Aviation Safety Magazine (October, 2019, p-8-11) article “All Or Nothing?” This article covers what we always thought was the correct maneuver for a straight ahead emergency landing/crash. However the FAA now thinks that it is possible to make that turn back, and the maneuver should be taught during initial flight training and flight checks. The Fed’s also state that “not to make the 180 degree turn back unless altitude, best glide requirements, and pilot skill allow for a safe turn”. Well, really, who knows what those three things are? And what about the skill part of this? Many pilots think they are better than they really are! And this is not a good time to find that out!
Remember when taking off, the A/C is at the lowest, slowest, and heaviest it will be all flight, there is much more gas out in those wings.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Make that ‘What To Do Decision’ before throwing the juice to the engine!
Until next time,
Captain Will Rondeau
References
Federal Aviation Regulations: 1.2 Abbreviations and symbols.
Aviation Safety Magazine: October 2019 (Volume 39 Number 10).
FAA Advisory Circular AC 61.83J.