Where do you complete your run-up?

[Matt Brasher]

if I do the run up during taxi, I don't touch the brakes. Should be able to do the runup quick enough that you don't build up much speed.

Is that really enough time for the "run-up" to uncover any potential issues? Seems more like going through the motion to me.

 

[MAKG1]

It's usually the folks learning to fly in Southern California that have a harder time finding uncontrolled airports. Lot more towers there.

There are a reasonable number of uncontrolled airports around LA. Compton, Agua Dulce, Corona, Redlands, Cable, Flabob, Hesperia, Rosamond, Catalina, etc.

Virtually all the GA airports at night.

Most of the airports are towered, but there are plenty of nontowered ones to be found.

 

[Fearless Tower]

There are a reasonable number of uncontrolled airports around LA. Compton, Agua Dulce, Corona, Redlands, Cable, Flabob, Hesperia, Rosamond, Catalina, etc.

Virtually all the GA airports at night.

Most of the airports are towered, but there are plenty of nontowered ones to be found.

Never said they couldn't be found, just they are fewer in comparison than New England.

 

[Cajun_Flyer]

Never said they couldn't be found, just they are fewer in comparison than New England.

The key is finding one with airplanes to rent, since I do not own, and unfortunately there are none in a reasonable driving distance. I am looking at one place in RI, but haven't heard back from them yet.

 

[Fearless Tower]

Where are you in RI?

I used to rent at UUU. Did my ME training at PVD.

 

[Cajun_Flyer]

Where are you in RI?

I used to rent at UUU. Did my ME training at PVD.

I don't live in RI, but SFZ is only about 30 minutes from my house, so I was looking to see if they had any planes available to rent. Right now I'm renting out of KBED.

 

[EdFred]

Is that really enough time for the "run-up" to uncover any potential issues? Seems more like going through the motion to me.

Absolutely enough time unless you think you need to run it on one mag for 10 minutes or do 17 prop cycles, in which case, no, it's probably not enough time.

 

[steviedeviant]

One extra piece of mind for doing the run up closer to the runway is taxiing on one tank, and then doing the run up on the other to insure both are feeding. Not sure this helps much of you've got 4 tanks, though.

For those of you doing run up during the taxi, are you just riding the brakes for that period to make sure you don't go too fast? Any concern about extra wear on the brakes?

This is exactly what my instructor had me do when I was flying the Cherokee 140. It is a great idea and I always make sure I check both tanks.

 

[Hank S]

One extra piece of mind for doing the run up closer to the runway is taxiing on one tank, and then doing the run up on the other to insure both are feeding. Not sure this helps much of you've got 4 tanks, though.

For those of you doing run up during the taxi, are you just riding the brakes for that period to make sure you don't go too fast? Any concern about extra wear on the brakes?

Changing tanks right before takeoff can be problematic. I only have two, and the Owners Manual specifically says to not change tanks right before takeoff. And I generally only use brakes after pulling throttle to idle in preparation to turn, or when stopping at Hold Short, fuel tanks or parking.

 

[steviedeviant]

Changing tanks right before takeoff can be problematic. I only have two, and the Owners Manual specifically says to not change tanks right before takeoff. And I generally only use brakes after pulling throttle to idle in preparation to turn, or when stopping at Hold Short, fuel tanks or parking.

I was not aware of this. Both my instructors told me to this. I will give this another look.

 

[Hank S]

The time to check operation of both tanks is right after engine start. Crank on one, switch to the other.

Here is what my Owners Manual says about the takeoff.

 

[Fearless Tower]

The time to check operation of both tanks is right after engine start. Crank on one, switch to the other.

Here is what my Owners Manual says about the takeoff.

Perhaps a better method would be to taxi on one then shift to the other prior to the runup.

That would not be inconsistent with your owner's manual.

 

[jaybee]

Right where I'm parked is where I run-up.










Oh you probably meant airplane not helicopter...

 

[MAKG1]

Perhaps a better method would be to taxi on one then shift to the other prior to the runup.

That would not be inconsistent with your owner's manual.

That's best. Start and taxi on the lower tank, then switch to the higher before run up. If you forget, the worst time to switch tanks is right before takeoff. Try shutting down at the fuel selector instead of mixture to see why. The engine will run for a surprisingly long time at idle, and long enough at full power to use all the runway (perhaps unless it's really long). It's better to switch at 2000 AGL well within gliding distance of an airport.

 

[Hank S]

That's best. Start and taxi on the lower tank, then switch to the higher before run up. If you forget, the worst time to switch tanks is right before takeoff. Try shutting down at the fuel selector instead of mixture to see why. The engine will run for a surprisingly long time at idle, and long enough at full power to use all the runway (perhaps unless it's really long). It's better to switch at 2000 AGL well within gliding distance of an airport.

That's what I do, although I don't have an Upper or Lower tank. If she cranks on one side, then I switch and taxi/runup on the other, I know that both work. Then I take off on the one I taxi and runup on. When I (sometimes) forget to switch tanks, I'll take off and make my initial climb on the "wrong" tank, then switch.

 

[woodchucker]

Is the procedure for leaning for takeoff the same as leaning for cruise?

Hey, how's it going?
The answer is "mostly", at least for a 172. Leaning for takeoff you may have to pull the mixture knob quite a ways out before fine-tuning though. At cruise, you will want to back it out slowly because it probably won't take a lot. But the idea is the same in looking for the rpm drop and then dialing back in a few turns. At cruise it never hurts to bring the mixture back using turns once in a while... see how the rpm reacts. If you have been in the air a few hours the local atm changes.

 

[korben88]

Hey, how's it going?
The answer is "mostly", at least for a 172. Leaning for takeoff you may have to pull the mixture knob quite a ways out before fine-tuning though. At cruise, you will want to back it out slowly because it probably won't take a lot. But the idea is the same in looking for the rpm drop and then dialing back in a few turns. At cruise it never hurts to bring the mixture back using turns once in a while... see how the rpm reacts. If you have been in the air a few hours the local atm changes.

It's going good, finally getting some time in the plane. How 'bout yourself, did you end up joining that club in Odgen?

 

[silver-eagle]

I don't live in RI, but SFZ is only about 30 minutes from my house, so I was looking to see if they had any planes available to rent. Right now I'm renting out of KBED.

If you at near North Central, then Norwood, Taunton, or New Bedford might work for you. Even Plymouth or Marshfield. That is if you're east of North Central. West just might give you a longer drive but less miles. By the way, Mansfield has a new FBO. I do not know if they are renting yet.

 

[silver-eagle]

Run ups are done where the airport suggests. This has been on the taxiway, ramp, an unused runway, or near the hold short. Rather than make it up, check with tower or the FBO if it isn't designated on the airport layout.

 

[Cajun_Flyer]

If you at near North Central, then Norwood, Taunton, or New Bedford might work for you. Even Plymouth or Marshfield. That is if you're east of North Central. West just might give you a longer drive but less miles. By the way, Mansfield has a new FBO. I do not know if they are renting yet.

Unfortunately, New Bedford (Class D), Plymouth, Marshfield and Taunton are too far for me and Norwood is towered, which I'm trying to get away from. Mansfield is a nice airport, but sadly they aren't renting (my school apparently absorbed their business). Will definitely keep an eye out for any changes at that airport. Hopefully my husband and I will be buying a house sometime in the next year that will be a bit closer to a couple of those listed.

 

[MassPilot]

Unfortunately, New Bedford (Class D), Plymouth, Marshfield and Taunton are too far for me and Norwood is towered, which I'm trying to get away from. Mansfield is a nice airport, but sadly they aren't renting (my school apparently absorbed their business). Will definitely keep an eye out for any changes at that airport. Hopefully my husband and I will be buying a house sometime in the next year that will be a bit closer to a couple of those listed.

I rented from Mansfield for years until the flight school went under. I now rent from ECAC at Norwood. It is towered but is usually pretty quiet, unlike the zoo that is KBED. It seems to be less busy than Mansfield used to be, even though Mansfield is non-towered. Three of the CFI's there are from Mansfield and I've flown with all of them and like them.

When I feel like getting some practice in at a non-towered field, I'll still shoot over to Mansfield for some pattern work. It's a 5 minute flight.

 

[Cajun_Flyer]

I rented from Mansfield for years until the flight school went under. I now rent from ECAC at Norwood. It is towered but is usually pretty quiet, unlike the zoo that is KBED. It seems to be less busy than Mansfield used to be, even though Mansfield is non-towered. Three of the CFI's there are from Mansfield and I've flown with all of them and like them.

When I feel like getting some practice in at a non-towered field, I'll still shoot over to Mansfield for some pattern work. It's a 5 minute flight.

Good to know. I already rent from ECAC, so imagine I shouldn't have to jump through many hoops to switch over to their Norwood location. Will stick with my CFI at BED when I start instrument, but for all my other flying, maybe I'll see about switching up to Norwood.

 

[silver-eagle]

I usually swear out load every time I pass Bedford. I'll never, ever land there. MASS DOT runs it. They have a take off fee, which they charged me when I flew past. Through there is more to the story, they screwed the EAA B17 by modifying the terms of their appearance while the aircraft was in transition. It ended up at Lawrence that year.
Norwood is a sleepy airport. The tower is easy to deal with. I've not flown in there with my new plane (based at Mansfield) but there is a nice restaurant there, Taso's. Never had a bad meal there.

 

[MassPilot]

Good to know. I already rent from ECAC, so imagine I shouldn't have to jump through many hoops to switch over to their Norwood location. Will stick with my CFI at BED when I start instrument, but for all my other flying, maybe I'll see about switching up to Norwood.

I'm pretty sure that if you are checked out in a particular make and model at ECAC, you can rent it at any of their locations. So far I've only rented C172's at Norwood.

 

[MooneyDriver78]

during training i was taught to do the runup on the ramp but away from other planes so as to be ready to go and not hold up traffic at the hold shortbline. and if that was not possible then to use the runup area. last choice was the hold short line. i was once delayed for about 15-minutes while another pilot did his runup at the hold short line. looking back i should've asked ground for permission to turn around and taxi to the nearest exit and take off from there but i was green and waited him out.

I gotta believe they were waiting for an IFR clearance. At uncontrolled airports I make radio calls telling traffic I'm waiting so they can sneak out in front of me.