Takeoff/Departure
Familiarization
TAKEOFF/DEPARTURE
As with the landing pattern, the takeoff is one of the most critical phases of flight because your allowable
margin for error is extremely small, so your preflight planning of takeoff performance parameters must be
accurate. The aircraft performance data in Part XI of the T-45 NATOPS contains several charts to help
you calculate expected takeoff performance.
NORMAL TAKEOFF
After you complete the takeoff checklist in the hold short area, check the windsock and request takeoff
clearance.
When you are cleared for takeoff, ensure proper wingtip clearance and remember to practice proper tail
pipe courtesy when exiting the hold short area. Position your aircraft on the runway by lining up on the
runway centerline. Taxi straight ahead a short distance to ensure that the nose wheel is straight. Once in
position, verify that the ADI and HSI are properly aligned with the runway. For T-45C, the recommended
configuration is to set the ADI display on the left MFD and the HSI display set on the right MFD to keep the
MFD ADI on the same side of the instrument panel as the standby AI and the analog flight instruments.
While holding the brakes, advance the power to MRT and cycle the flight controls. Check that engine rpm,
EGT, and fuel flow are within limits. Also check that no warning (red) or caution (amber) lamps are illumi-
nated on the WCP. Use your peripheral vision to watch for any aircraft movement while checking engine
instruments. Check time of takeoff and, with IP concurrence, release the brakes. Use NWS to maintain
directional control until the aircraft is airborne.
It is imperative to utilize primarily an outside scan during the takeoff phase in order to detect and correct
any line up deviations as early as possible, however, at the selected distance marker, check your line
speed to ensure that your aircraft is accelerating as expected and has achieved the predicted speed.
Aborting at the maximum abort speed will require you to use optimum braking techniques to stop the
aircraft on the remaining runway.
Begin your rotation 5-10 KIAS prior to your predicted takeoff airspeed. Rotate the nose to 10 degrees (or
17 units AOA, at 120 KIAS) and allow the aircraft to fly off the runway (don’t exceed optimum AOA). When
safely airborne, call to raise landing gear. Maintain the initial climb attitude and accelerate to flaps/slats up
speed and call to raise the flaps at 140 KIAS. Remember, gear, flaps, and slats must be up and locked
prior to 200 KIAS. You will be required to receive acknowledgement from your IP prior to raising the gear
and flaps, and report over the ICS, “Gear and flaps up prior to 200.”
NOTE: Once gear indicated up and locked (less than 200 KIAS), check gear seated in proper uplock
detent by applying light force (less than 6 lbs) directly down (do not pull out). Once completed report
“handle checked.”
As the aircraft accelerates, hold your climb attitude and trim out stick pressure. As the flaps/slats come
up, a small increase in pitch will be required to avoid settling.
CROSSWIND TAKEOFF
As you know, maintaining directional control during crosswind takeoffs is more difficult than during normal
takeoffs. Depending upon conditions, you could find yourself heading toward the edge of the runway if you
haven’t made the proper control inputs.
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