when do downwind takeoffs become acceptable?

[xsbank]

Runway slope? What slope?

There was a narrow little bay near Port Hardy where we did camp runs - you had to land into the bay, it was closed and no chance to overshoot; the camp was at the head of the bay and you had to take off inside the bay downwind because the bay was one-way and the water was too rough outside. Ergo bingo, routine downwind takeoffs.

In a perfect world, you would always take off into wind or crosswind at least, but even the Gooses (Geese?) took off downwind there. Part of being a coastal float pilot. Often the only useful water will not conveniently point into wind.

[KenoraPilot]

Depends on your ability with the aircraft, the wind strength and direction. With float operations....we take tail winds quite often for take off. Its your ability with Aircraft, weight, winds and direction. If there is any question though....taxi for the into wind.

[Cat Driver]

Brokenwing your question is difficult to answer.

what about a finger lake where you have the wind funneling in both ends, north wind at one end, south wind at the other? do you start the takeoff with a tailwind and climb with a headwind or vice versa?

With the winds you describe if the lake was short enough to make the decision a factor you would need to accept a tailwind to start the take off.

If you started the take off into wind you would not have much room before you ran out of water regardless of which end you started the take off at, that is the best answer I can give you with so little information about the area and what wind conditions you are describing.

In any event I try and stay away from giving specific advice on how to fly airplanes in unusual conditions......

[brokenwing]

Thank you Sir.

[buster79]

kenora pilot: what is with the "we" are you not just along for the ride?

[lazyboy]

Kenora pilot....and were you not teaching float endorsements,hope you didn't teach em down wind take offs with all your float flying wisdom

[Cat Driver]

kenora pilot: what is with the "we" are you not just along for the ride?

The use of the word " we " is the word one normally uses when flying as a crew member in a multi crew airplane.

[gongshowking]

I think bottom line is to know your machine, know your load and have some limits preset. For a beaver for instance i know a lot companies stick to a 5 knot limit. There so much variance btw even individual airplanes (prop performance etc). Terrain and gusts etc should be the deciding factor. Dont put yourself in a position where you are taking off downwind in gusts..it will rarely be worth it.....unless you are taking off out of Langara island.

[twotter]

Brokenwing your question is difficult to answer.

what about a finger lake where you have the wind funneling in both ends, north wind at one end, south wind at the other? do you start the takeoff with a tailwind and climb with a headwind or vice versa?

With the winds you describe if the lake was short enough to make the decision a factor you would need to accept a tailwind to start the take off.

If you started the take off into wind you would not have much room before you ran out of water regardless of which end you started the take off at, that is the best answer I can give you with so little information about the area and what wind conditions you are describing.

In any event I try and stay away from giving specific advice on how to fly airplanes in unusual conditions......

Actually, in that scenario, you would end up with a headwind in whichever direction you took off. You would have to start with a tailwind from either end of the lake but would end up with a headwind at the other end..

[Cat Driver]

If you started the take off into wind you would not have much room before you ran out of water

Exactly.....

However with the right aircraft you would have no problem climbing over the trees into wind regardless of how close to the shore you lifted off, I had one in my flight school that would do it with no problem.

[Lost Lake]

Broken wind..trying to answer your question is like asking how long is a piece of string. What are the obstacles, at either end, etc. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out that if you take off down wind with the anticipation of a continuing tail wind and you have determined that under the tailwind condition you will climb out safely, then the head wind will be a nice bonus. On the other hand taking off into a head wind and suddenly having your air speed removed will certainly wake you up.

I have taken off and landed with tail winds on water. s. I have always done so when I felt comfortable. Before you tsk tsk, the conditions were right. At no time have I ever risked time for safety. I've also taken off and landed over 8,000 times. (Sorry JC, no clocks)

Always remember, if you don't feel comfortable doing anything in flying DON'T DO IT!! Everyone has a different skill and knowledge level. Biggest lesson in flying...It is difficult to walk in the shadow of high time pilots. Don't try to copy them. If you're asking about taking off down wind, you are probably a low time pilot. Look, listen and tread slowly.

[KenoraPilot]

Negative, wouldn't teach that in Float Endorsement! And with regards to "we" I am talking about a Multi-Crew.

[Rowdy]

5kts on the tail with no gusts? to facilitate a shorter taxi, quicker departure and generally a smoother operation at an acceptable weight with plenty of room.. WHY NOT!?!

Taking 15kts on the tail out of lazyness, complacency or because you're already running late from previously poor time handling/bad judgements is just leading up to a big whoopsidaisy!

Do what ya gotta do and do it safely. There are no right answers.

[Liquid Charlie]

Well I always took off down wind because the water was always smoother -- good to sneak up on those white caps -- but doing this in a 180 you might have to reduce drag by closing the cowl flaps to get up on the step --