Take Off Tips
First rule is do not take short cuts with this aircraft
You will need to have prepared this aircraft fully, especially the Flight Management Computer and completed all the check lists. In particular check your fuel is in limits for take off and landing. Microsoft have a nasty habit of giving you full fuel tanks at start up. This is not necessary for most of the flights. The centre fuel tanks in most cases can remain empty for our Virtual Airlines work. if you attempted to land with all tanks full then you will find the aircraft out of balance and difficult to control if not impossible at slow nose down speeds on approach. (About 20000 Lbs in each wing tank for Spain from UK)
Lets assume we are at the holding point awaiting line up all check lists complete. Check your elevator trim is set, and that speed brakes are down, flaps are set and brakes selector is on rejected take off. On take off clearance being given line up and flick on the Flight Director switch. Check you have TO on the EADI. You are not allowed to use autopilot below 1000ft. So on take off you will need to gently rotate at VR and bring the nose up to 17.5 pitch angle gently
Throttles
Gently push the throttles forward until 70% N1then press the N1 EPR button ensure the speed window is blanked out by pushing the speed button in if that has not already been done. Ensuring the autothrottle switch is engaged. Check the EADI window to ensure this has operated
Remember the indications in this picture above note the autopilot is not on.
After rotation raise the nose to 17.5 degrees ignore the flight director bars initially they will come to you. Centre your joystick at 1000 ft press CMD VNAV or FL CH if open set the speed window to 250 knots until passing FL100. Rotate gently as if you go to quick you will get a tail strike.
With regard to headings check it is correct, engage L NAV or Hdg Select depending whether atc have given you a heading to fly. If ATC do not then I set the runway heading in the hdg select window prior to take off. If I am given a radar vector I set that heading in before take off. Passing 3000ft do your after take off check list. After passing transition altitude set your altimeter to 1013 millibars or 29.92. On INSTRUCTED BY ATC resume own navigation finish off flying the SID. USE THE DIRECT TO BUTTON IN THE FMC switch to LNAV. you may switch to L NAV at 1000ft if no SID or radar heading is given. Things now settle down for the climb to cruise level.
Take Off Considerations
Check you are on the correct runway. is it contaminated check limits
RVR
Is it above minimums for take off and is it above for an emergency landing after take off ? 350 M for cat 3 company policy unless charts show greater. No microburst reported or windshear thunderstorm activity.
Is the aircraft at or below its maximum take off weight and if an emergency can i return and land or have to dump fuel first as the aircraft is too heavy.
High Terrain
Where is the high terrain and obstacles I need to turn away from in an emergency and what is minimum safe height ?
what is transition altitude for this airport
Rejected Take Off Braking
Be aware that below 80 knots the automatic RTO brakes system does not work and manual braking is required.
After 80 knots only abandon take off for swerves and fire bells. Autobrakes should apply automatically do not touch manual brakes or you will disconnect the brakes and will have to brake manually. After an emergency brake check the brake temperatures and get maintenance to check.
If on opening the throttles on take off the alarm goes off , close the throttle and check it out. Do not continue the take off.
After v1 do not touch the throttles you must take off regardless.
For Derated Take Off using assumed temperatures please see Capt Mike Ray's comments elsewhere in the Flight School.
Anti Ice
Wing Anti Ice is not to be turned on until the aircraft is airborne and flaps are up. Engine Anti ice maybe turned on remember icing can occur when temperatures drop below 10 degrees centigrade about 50 F.
