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Old 21st Feb 2009, 05:03
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Old Smokey
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
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SOME people have got away with it, MOST DON'T!

The 3 biggest factors in being LUCKY (and I mean LUCKY) are -

(1) Very prompt turn-back without any waste of time,

(2) Takeoff into a strong Headwind, which becomes a strong Tailwind for the return, and (most importantly),

(3) Takeoff on a very long runway well in excess of your requirements, such that you can still make the "unused" runway beyond your Takeoff point.

You would need all 3, or at least 2 of these things going for you to contemplate a 180 degree turn-back. In all other circumstances (99% of the time), DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!
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