I'd like that clarified as well. I was always under the impression (and taught others) that it was when the main wheels touched down that lift was dumped. On departure, isn't the nosewheel lifting off purely a function (reaction) of the elevator pitching upwards, and not lift? I thought that on departure, the 'lifting' occurs (I guess, technically) a little prior to the main wheels separating from the tarmac. That is, as weight 'begins' to be taken off the wheels. Nothing to do with the nosewheel on/off the runway. Pilot/Physics gurus?