Aircraft Operating Instructions (AOI)
Type:
CT
Series:
CTLS
LSA
Page: 4-11
AU 010 11000
Revision No. 4
Date: 29 Apr 2008
4.8. Take-off and climb
The airfoil of the CTLS offers good climb characteristics, even in the cruise-optimized
flap position. Normally on short runways, the flaps are set to 15° for take-off. On hard
surface runways, however, take-off is more efficient with the flaps set to 0°. This
setting can also be used for a closed circuit as it reduces the pilot workload as the
flaps need not be reset until abeam the touchdown point.
During the take-off roll, engine rpm should be checked after full throttle has been
applied. Indicated engine rpm should be about 4800 rpm. Only when the engine has
reached this speed is the correct take-off power available. These values are not valid
for variable pitch propellers which leads to higher rpm for take-off which, in turn,
results in better take-off performance.
In order to be able to hold direction on the runway, the CTLS pilot must look for an
appropriate reference point. Pilots used to flying other types of aircraft are often
confused by the strongly tapered fuselage nose of the CTLS, tending to take-off and
land with a lot of sideslip. The pilot’s view straight ahead is very much to the left. At
first this appears to be far too far to the left, but it is indeed correct. The point can be
located by drawing a vertical line upwards from the between the rudder pedals.
View from the pilot’s seat, looking straight ahead.
As soon as the aircraft starts to accelerate, the stick should be pulled back slightly to
unload the nose wheel. The aircraft takes off faster when the nose wheel is slightly
lifted. When airborne, relax the aft pressure slightly to increase speed to best rate-of-
climb speed (120 km/h – 67 kts with wing flaps +15°; 132 km/h – 73 kts with wing
flaps 0°; both at takeoff weight of 1320 lbs – 600 kg).
Warning:
Climbing at speeds below the recommended rate-of-climb speed does
not bring any advantages as the aircraft will not climb as steeply when it
is flying below the best angle-of-climb speed. With decreasing speed,
the aircraft also becomes more difficult to control. These circumstances