Rotation Question

[avialuver33]

Is there an instrument in the cockpits of commercial airliners that displays the degrees above the horizon when rotating for take-off? If so, generally speaking, how many degrees does one rotate an airliner when taking off? Does this get to be so second nature, that pilots rotate an airliner by "feel"? Are loooong airliners (757-300, 767-400, Super-80) harder to rotate without scraping the tail? What about the flare during landing? Strictly a look down the runway visual thing, or an instrument?

[expedite_climb]

No, you still rotate to 17 or 18 degrees up, as if you pitch at the correct rate then you will become airborne before the tail strikes the ground.

I fly the 757-200 and -300, and we use a slightly lower rate of rotation on the -300, but as you are looking out of the window, and you are further away from your rotation axis (the gear), it looks the same !

[Intruder]

In the 747-400, normal rotation is 12-17 degrees, depending on weight (heavier => less rotation). However, the rotation rate has to be slow enough (about 2 deg/second) that the climb attitude is not reached until the airplane is off the ground. The tail will strike the ground at about 8-10 degrees with the rearmost wheels on the ground, depending on strut compression.

The flight director on the PFD (Primary Flight Display, or attitude indicator) will command the correct angle, but not the rotation rate.

[fantom]

bodstrup....no.....

two and a half to three degrees per second works for nearly everything. do not look in! look out!

:)

[avialuver33]

Much obliged for the replies. From what I read, the rotation RATE is the important part?