When do you use takeoff flaps?

[aaronk25]

I don't care about take off flaps unless its a rough or short field but landing with full flaps lets the tires touch down at a slower speed saving tire wear. Also if for some reason the landing is turned into a crash landing I'd rarher crash SLOWER!

[Z W]

Takeoff flaps result in a faster take-off, better obstacle clearance, and a lower-nose attitude during the initial climb-out, which improves forward visibility.  They should be used as standard operating procedure, in my humble opinion.  I've done plenty of takeoffs with and without them.

 

The only time I do not use them is in an extremely gusty headwind on takeoff.  I will do a no-flap takeoff to minimize the risk of a gust picking up the plane and then slamming it back down.

 

Remember - the first two notches of flaps increase lift, while decreasing airspeed (obstacle clearance).  The 3rd and 4th notches only increase drag.  Lift is what you want on takeoff.

[Jeff_S]

I use take-off flaps, except for those rare times I forget and wonder why I'm taking so long to get in the air. For added measure I spread AvBlend on the top of the flap and CamGuard on the bottom to ensure maximum protection from rust and corrosion, and lately I've been experimenting with an enrichened LOP mixture to to keep my cylinders confused. I find the more different techniques I can lump together into my flying the more it keeps my brain involved.

 

[Hank]

I'm just wondering how Zane finds "four notches" of flaps in his Mooney. Mine has a toggle switch to push that moves the flaps as long as I hold it in the Up or Down direction. The Flap Indicator has three markings: Up, Takeoff and Down. An F that I have flown has a slider with detents at the same three labeled spots.

[carusoam]

H,

I believe that is 4 pumps on the manual system....?

Pump 1 pressurizes the system and barely moves the flaps.

Pump 2 is approximately T/O flaps?

Pump 4 is fully extended, or nearly so.

Of course, all system may vary. The indicator and POH should be the reference....

Best regards,

-a-

[Z W]

Hah, you're right, Hank, I don't really have "notches" anymore.  Leftover mentality from the manual flaps on my last Mooney, which took 4 pumps from zero to full flaps, and take-off was at 2 pumps.  I would use two pumps on downwind, 3rd pump on base, 4th pump on final, generally speaking.

 

My K model has a "take-off" setting marked, and infinitely adjustable flaps, but I still think of "take-off" as 2 notches.  Anything past the takeoff mark, as I understand it, adds drag but not lift.

[jlunseth]

Just a footnote of interest, I have a K also.  In my plane, a 4 count gives me takeoff flaps (half flaps) and an 8 count gives me full flaps.  You should work out the timing on your own aircraft.  Very useful to know during an approach in IMC, in the dark at night, or any other time you do not want to have to look down at the indicator.

[Ned Gravel]

I am in the "Normally with 2 pumps of flaps" group.  This is the normal T/O setting per the manual.  However.....my Mooney Caravan experience opened my eyes, so I will now except some conditions for taking off (and even landing) without flaps.  They are:

• When using a long runway, in excess of 5000', or
• When called for by specific operational necessities (ie:  Mooney Caravan).

These are my acceptable exceptions.  

 

I will still normally take off and land with flaps and the specific settings for each of these phases of flight depends on the conditions.  

[Hector]

H, I believe that is 4 pumps on the manual system....? Pump 1 pressurizes the system and barely moves the flaps. Pump 2 is approximately T/O flaps? Pump 4 is fully extended, or nearly so. Of course, all system may vary. The indicator and POH should be the reference.... Best regards, -a-

Correct. Two pumps for takeoff for me because I want to minimize my ground roll, but as soon as I have positive rate of climb, gear up and flaps up!!

[triple8s]

Rueben Cogburn " I always go backwards when I'm backing up"