How Not To Ruin The Beginning Of Your Flight

The first few minutes of any mission are critical. A pro explains what can go wrong and how to keep that happening

Plane & Pilot

Friday, March 18, 2016 at 10:47 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The immediate post-takeoff phase in a single-engine aircraft is presented as an extremely critical period.
Pilots during this phase face low flying speed, insufficient runway for an abort, and obstacles ahead, leaving very limited emergency options.
The linked article aims to provide crucial strategies for improving safety and outcomes during these most challenging first minutes of flight.

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Picture this: You’re in a single-engine airplane, barely at flying speed. The vast majority of the runway is in your rearview, the trees are out in front of you, and you’re hoping that nothing goes wrong, because there aren’t a lot of options. What to do to improve the odds on this most critical phase of flight.