Chair flying / Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb

Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb

Depart from a short runway or clear a 50 ft obstacle using maximum performance technique — full runway, brakes-held power check, Vx climb until the obstacle is cleared.

Chair fly it ACS IV.E — Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb

Setup

Flaps set to 25°
Complete the before-takeoff checklist
Line up using ALL available runway“Runway XX, short-field departure”

Execution

Full stop — hold brakes — full power“Gauges green”
Check engine instruments in the green
Release brakes
Check airspeed and centerline“Airspeed alive”
Rotate at 55 kt“Rotate”
Climb at Vx (66 kt) until 50 ft AGL / obstacle cleared

Climb-out

Retract flaps to 10° at 66 kt
Flaps 0° at 76 kt — climb at Vy (76 kt)

ACS tolerances

Airspeed ±10 kt
Vx until obstacle cleared

Common errors

Not using all available runway
Premature rotation
Climbing too fast — sacrificing Vx over the obstacle