TW TO method when heavy?
 

Took a friend out tonight for a flight, he weighs 22 stone (310LBS) I weigh 151/2 stone (217LBS) and had about 63 USG of fuel at 378lbs for a total of 905LBS, although still 30lbs under gross the TO on the damp grass strip that is not as level as it could be involved a few skips before climb out, my nephew watching the TO said the struts were getting a good workout. I normally fly with the girlfriend (110lbs) which basically involves getting the tail up (no smart assed comments please), waiting a couple of seconds then rotating.

Tonight’s TO was a completely different animal which I expected but my question is regarding proper TO technique when heavy, do I lift the tail all the way up to level to get as much airspeed as soon as possible or do I raise the tail slightly (say 6" to 12") to move the weight to the wings as soon as possible, which method will reduce the skipping?

Tend to agree with Silvaire1 as to why. Can I ask if you thought the take off ground roll was longer or shorter than your 'normal'?

I used to do the same, raise the tail early to get the fuselage pretty much horizontal, accelerate then positive pull back to unstick. Then I was told that for the shortest t/o roll to just lift the tailwheel out of the grass and let her come off when she's ready. Just about halved my ground roll.

I would not suggest this method for a taildragger with a ground attitude close to it's stall angle but many aren't like that, and it does require a little finessing just after take off.

Try to move the CG few AttoParsec aft :)

I took a heavy pax up last evening. Strip is still a bit soggy. So flaps up, full forward stick till the tail comes up, wait for 40 kts then half flaps.
I was once told "Get the AOA off as soon as pos". Seems to work.

Somewhat longer but not significant, still used less than half the 1600 ft strip.

I tried it again last night with a heavy pax and used Silvaire's suggestion of being a bit firmer with getting the tail right up and it worked , there was a lot less skipping, however I wonder if there is a trade of when the strip has undulations which seam to be exaggerated with the tail is right up. Kinda catch 22 deal