Noob guide: Taking off with locked cockpits

Schroeder · 08-20-08, 06:20 AM

Hi everybody.
Since some of us have a problem with taking off while the cockpit locked setting is in place I thought I make a noob's guide how to take off easily.

First of all zoom out as much as possible.

You can see the edges of the runway nicely through your side windows.

(I marked them red in this picture, compare to the picture above)

Lock the tailwheel.

If you are not sure whether someone is in front of you, ask the tower for permission to take off.
Tab -> 8 (Ground control) -> 5 (Request Take Off Clearance)

Got clearance (if someone is still standing in front of you, you won't get clearance)

While taking off always scan the edges of the runway through your sidewindows. You should have no problem seeing them and with the tailwheel locked you will only need slight right rudder to stay in the middle of it while your tail is still on the ground.

After take off unlock your tailwheel again (or you'll be in for some nasty surprise on landing if you haven't lined up with the runway perfectly

).

When you are on the ground again, move your plane in S-patterns so you can see what is in front of you.

This requires you to go slowly. Not more than 20-30 km/h (~15-20 m.p.h)

When you have more confidence in taking off and landing with locked cockpits you can also use a different method on take off.

Just turn your plane slightly to the right (left works too, but on take off the plane will automatically turn you left so it's easier to line it up with the runway again [works of course only with planes that have propellers spinning to the right, with left turning propellers turn to the left.]). After you have turned a few degrees you will be able to see what is in front of you. This approach requires an unlocked tailwheel of course.

Hope this helped you a little.

08-20-08, 06:20 AM	#1
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Noob guide: Taking off with locked cockpits Hi everybody. Since some of us have a problem with taking off while the cockpit locked setting is in place I thought I make a noob's guide how to take off easily. First of all zoom out as much as possible. You can see the edges of the runway nicely through your side windows. (I marked them red in this picture, compare to the picture above) Lock the tailwheel. If you are not sure whether someone is in front of you, ask the tower for permission to take off. Tab -> 8 (Ground control) -> 5 (Request Take Off Clearance) Got clearance (if someone is still standing in front of you, you won't get clearance) While taking off always scan the edges of the runway through your sidewindows. You should have no problem seeing them and with the tailwheel locked you will only need slight right rudder to stay in the middle of it while your tail is still on the ground. After take off unlock your tailwheel again (or you'll be in for some nasty surprise on landing if you haven't lined up with the runway perfectly). When you are on the ground again, move your plane in S-patterns so you can see what is in front of you. This requires you to go slowly. Not more than 20-30 km/h (~15-20 m.p.h) When you have more confidence in taking off and landing with locked cockpits you can also use a different method on take off. Just turn your plane slightly to the right (left works too, but on take off the plane will automatically turn you left so it's easier to line it up with the runway again [works of course only with planes that have propellers spinning to the right, with left turning propellers turn to the left.]). After you have turned a few degrees you will be able to see what is in front of you. This approach requires an unlocked tailwheel of course. Hope this helped you a little.