Download Article Download Article

This is an article on how to take off in a Cessna 172.

  1. As you do so, ensure that the Directional Gyro matches the runway heading (Correction for the wind if there is crosswind). [1]
  2. (Check your mixture rich. [2] )
    Advertisement
    • Oil Pressure in Green
    • Oil Temperature in Green
  3. This should occur somewhere around 35 KIAS (Knots Indicated Airspeed). [3]
  4. Rotate at 60 KIAS.
  5. [4]
  6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Is it normal to feel chatter in the nose wheel when building up speed on the runway?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Some aircraft do it more than others, just keep a little back pressure on the yoke as if doing a short field takeoff and it will go away.
  • Question
    Should the flaps be set the same for takeoff and landing?
    Philip Bundy
    Community Answer
    No. Flaps should not be used on takeoff except for short field takeoffs. Flaps are used when landing, but as always, there are exceptions to the rules. In heavy winds, only partial flaps are used. If you happen to get iced over, you should land with no flaps.
  • Question
    Why should the speed be at 60 knots?
    Community Answer
    60 knots is considered to be the optimum takeoff speed. This speed will allow enough lift under the wings to give a smooth, stall-free takeoff.
See more answers
Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Stay lined up with the runway center line with foot pedals and not the yoke using easy corrections.
      • If the runway is short, consider using flaps for takeoff. Refer to the manual for short take-off procedure. Depending on the type of 172, 10-20 degrees of flaps should suffice. Climb at 65 KIAS to about 200 feet (61.0 m), then accelerate by lowering the nose to 73 KIAS and retract the flaps 10 degrees at a time.
      • If you stay anywhere where the field elevation is 1,000 feet (304.8 m) or above, make sure you check the density altitude and set your fuel mixture accordingly.
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Under no circumstances should you fly near the stall speed of 35KTIS. This is with a dirty configuration. The stall speed is higher in a clean configuration. (Dirty = flaps down, clean = no flaps)
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 108,375 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • B. Curt

        Jun 12, 2017

        "Too many sites assume the person posing the question already has a familiarity with flight jargon. Clearly people ..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement