Originally Posted by
pulse1
Happy Jack 260,
You say:
Surely it also depends on how far away the field is i.e. how long the runway is, or how big the airfield is or, if you like, how far have I travelled from the field to reach 900'.
Good point - yes. I fly a Pitts S-2C which climbs like an angel and glides like a manhole cover. On a windy day one pilot took off on a 1200m runway and was at just under 3000' before passing the upwind end. On the other hand, you could be at 1000' at the runway threshold and be down less than 300m from the start. But in a Cherokee you'd probably be some way away by the time you got to 900'.
I also agree your suggestion of the continuous "what if" self-brief on climb-out - something I do now, if only out of fear of another experience!!