Take-off Performance

Take-off performance is published at two weights, and the difference between them is large enough to change which runway is usable. The chart conditions matter as much as the numbers: these are figures for a paved, level, dry runway in zero wind, at full power before the brakes come off.

At a glance

• Chart conditionsflaps 10°, full power prior to brake release, paved level dry runway, zero wind
• At 1043 kg (2300 lbs), lift off48 KIAS / 55 mph
• At 1043 kg (2300 lbs), speed at 15 m / 50 ft54 KIAS / 62 mph
• At 907 kg (2000 lbs), lift off44 KIAS / 51 mph
• At 907 kg (2000 lbs), speed at 15 m / 50 ft50 KIAS / 58 mph
• At 1043 kg, sea level, ground roll153 / 177 / 190 / 204 / 217 / 239 / 269 m at OAT -20 / 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 °C
• At 1043 kg, sea level, over a 50 ft (15 m) obstacle240 / 277 / 297 / 319 / 340 / 375 / 424 m at the same temperatures
• At 907 kg, sea level, ground roll107 / 123 / 132 / 142 / 151 / 166 / 187 m at the same temperatures
• At 907 kg, sea level, over a 50 ft (15 m) obstacle167 / 193 / 206 / 222 / 236 / 261 / 295 m at the same temperatures

The conditions behind the numbers

Both charts are drawn for flaps 10°, full power applied prior to brake release, a paved level dry runway and zero wind. Change any one of those and the published figure no longer applies without correction.

Speeds at the two weights

• 1043 kg (2300 lbs): lift off 48 KIAS / 55 mph, speed at 15 m / 50 ft 54 KIAS / 62 mph

• 907 kg (2000 lbs): lift off 44 KIAS / 51 mph, speed at 15 m / 50 ft 50 KIAS / 58 mph

Distances at sea level

Take 1043 kg (2300 lbs) at sea level first. Across outside air temperatures of -20 / 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 °C the ground roll reads 153 / 177 / 190 / 204 / 217 / 239 / 269 m, and clearing a 50 ft (15 m) obstacle takes 240 / 277 / 297 / 319 / 340 / 375 / 424 m.

At 907 kg (2000 lbs), sea level, the same temperatures give a ground roll of 107 / 123 / 132 / 142 / 151 / 166 / 187 m and a distance over the 50 ft (15 m) obstacle of 167 / 193 / 206 / 222 / 236 / 261 / 295 m.

Compare the two rows at 30 °C: 217 m of ground roll at the higher weight against 151 m at the lower. Roughly 300 lbs of load costs you about a third of your ground roll again.

Check yourself

• State the four chart conditions the take-off figures are measured under.

• What are the lift-off and 50 ft speeds at 2300 lbs, and at 2000 lbs?

• What is the sea-level ground roll at 1043 kg and 20 °C?

• What is the sea-level distance over a 50 ft obstacle at 907 kg and 0 °C?

• By roughly how much does the ground roll change between the two weights at the same temperature?

Study aid — always fly your aircraft's current AFM/POH.