Flap Setting for Takeoff?

[Piper J3]

The POH says one notch of flaps for takeoff and that?s what I use. Short/soft-field takeoff also is one notch.

Has anyone tried full flap setting for takeoff?

It?s a slow day and I was just wondering...

 

[DaleB]

I haven't tried full flaps... but I often use no flaps. It still jumps off the ground like a kite in a stiff wind.

 

[tomkk]

I did, by accident on a touch-and-go. Not exiting. It's been a while but as I recall she climbed about as quickly as with 1 notch ...

 

[Piper J3]

I guess the reason for asking is I fly off a grass field and was wondering if there might be a performance gain.

I sure Van's did a very thorough investigation before publishing the POH.

 

[aerhed]

Most wings will see max CL when the flaps are within a couple degrees of maximum aileron deflection. Beyond that you're getting more drag and might get less lift.

 

[Waterobert]

Using full flaps would introduce too much drag so your take off would take longer

 

[Bill Dicus]

Take-off flaps

I forgot to set flaps before the second take-off in my -8. It was off the ground almost instantly and climbed steeply. Plane was light and it was about 32? OAT. An observer said he saw nothing but the bottom of the airplane. I had to hurry to get the flaps up before 100 mph IAS, or so it seemed. Tried no flap take-offs and found them more that adequate for any normal situation. Now I'll not use flaps unless runway is very rough or has loose gravel etc. Have only limited experience at max gross weight. More of that might suggest using some flap when very heavy. 69D has an IO-360 and CS prop. It's off the ground so rapidly and in such short distance compared to most aircraft that I doubt there's much need for flap use on TO. YMMV!

 

[Jetguy]

Here are a couple of YouTube video links that demonstrate the proper technique for takeoffs and landings in regards to the nose wheel.

Mitch Locke, Vans east coast rep.
http://youtu.be/om1_ln6cePs

Scott McDaniels, employee of Vans Aircraft, TeenFlight video, go to the 50 second mark to see takeoff and then go to 1 min 30 sec mark to see landing.

http://youtu.be/haqgyE25YbI

 

[bob1393]

Both of the above videos appear to be no flap take offs.

 

[yankee-flyer]

They sure do look like no flap

Technique is correct-- lift nosewheel and she'll just fly off. Scott, can you weigh in on why POH says 1 notch of flaps? That requires a pretty good trim change when you retract the flaps!

Wayne 120241/143WM

 

[rvbuilder2002]

One notch is the best compromise between extra lift and extra drag. Full flaps may help the wheels leave the ground a little sooner but the climb angle and rate will likely suffer..... (accelerating with no flaps and poping them to full at rotation is a common bush flying technique for getting off short)

I can't comment for Mitch but in the case of the video of me making that take-off... that was a first flight.
On a first flight I do everything I can to keep things as simple as possible. During the flight I did slow flight approaching a stall with and without flaps, after which I feel comfortable using flaps for the landing.
In most normal take-off situations I use half flaps. The primary exception to that for me would be a gusty crosswind.

 

[yankee-flyer]

Thanks, Scott

I did my first takeoff without flaps, too-- I remembered the pitch chage from transition training.

Wayne 120241/143WM