Can you spot the pilot's mistake on take off?

The Flying Reporter often shares the mistakes he makes when flying. Can you spot what went wrong on this departure from Elstree?
About me: I'm a private pilot who shares flying adventures on KZbin. A feature of my channel is that I'm honest about my mistakes and share my shortcomings. I think there's some value to others in doing this, and it also allows me to be self-critical and become a better pilot.
Some common comments:
Why did I use flaps at all?
The runway is 651m, and has a 1.4% upslope.
On calculating the take off distance required on this day, bearing in mind my weight and the density altitude - and adding the CAA safety factor of x1.33 and accounting for the slope (x1.07) the take off distance without flap in nil-wind would have come to around 605-650m. (I don't have the actual day's figures to hand).
Did you start your take off roll from the taxiway?
Yes, this was another mistake. I thought this was a displaced threshold. My (really) bad.
Why didn't you use a checklist?
I follow paper checklists on the ground for pre-flight actions, vital checks prior to lining up etc. I was trained to use a memorised checklist for after take-off/top of climb checks. This might be because the airspace where I fly is busy, and mostly uncontrolled, and eyes need to be out of the cockpit. I got distracted during this departure with an unfamiliar and unusual visual departure route, in busy airspace. That's why this mistake occured.
Didn't you notice your airspeed was low?
I'd just levelled off in the climb, and was noticing a number of things, the most obvious issue was being unable to trim enough to stop the aircraft from climbing. The airspeed was only about 5-10 knots off normal cruise speed, so not overly unusual.
Did you overspeed the flaps?
No. My speed with the flaps down was 95 KIAS. The max speed for the flaps is 103 KIAS.
Why did you put in right aileron when the wind was from the left?
Good question. I can't remember. Force of habit (my home airport runway is 21, or maybe a windsock was telling me something different.
This should be reported to the authorities?
I don't believe this is a mandatory occurrence in my category of non-complex, non commercial flying according to the EASA regulations.
About me
www.jonhunt.net/
Facebook
/ theflyingreporter

[@stephen_101]

Humility will protect you from humiliation. Lesson learned, thanks for being humble enough to share.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Stephen Smith thanks Stephen. Not sure it has completely protected me from humiliation...we will see! Thanks for the sentiment though.

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Super that you shared that!!

[@stevecolwill9761]

We’re all human and the most important thing is you realised your mistake and learned from it. You are also brave enough to share it!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Steve.

[@bassmith448bassist5]

well done!!! if you won't admit your mistakes you won't learn from them!!! you got complacent with your checklists, realized through not panicking where you went wrong and avoided having to declare an emergency. I mainly fly Cessna's, high wing makes the flaps more visible but that doesn't mean I can omit a checklist. very few pilots that I know keep their egos at the pub where they belong. good on you mate for sharing! cheers from Florida USA!!!!!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Dan Cutler thank you Dan.

[@koen8185]

'The man who asks (himself) a question , is a fool for a minute , the man who does not ask , is a fool for life !' Confucius

[@bewizardment]

Totally called it. I was screaming "flaps!" alone in my apartment 😂

[@SoggyTeabag64]

Me too I guessed it was something to so with the flaps before I clicked on the video

[@MrSatanicchicken]

ahh yeah, i couldnt actually see whether he had or not, i guessed elev trim

[@yes8163]

Me too,especially when he said he had to pitch down hard.

[@ranman992000]

Nathan, but you do that all the time..... Im your downstairs neighbor please knock it off

[@Cavelson]

Me too mate

[@johnathancorgan3994]

Hmm, let's see. Student pilot here. My first night landing I was all the way into the round out and wondering (aloud) how best to judge my height above the runway when my CFI quietly reached over and turned on the landing light. 😏

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Johnathan Corgan that’s a good one! My favourite so far!

[@johnathancorgan3994]

There's plenty more; that was just the one I'm willing to admit to publicly.

[@shadezentertainment9877]

lol

[@AwaisKhalid]

Johnathan Corgan Happens when you practice landings for simulating landing light failure.

[@slpkntmggt06]

Johnathan Corgan That's a good one. When learning as a student pilot, information can sometimes quickly come in a flood, and simple, elementary mistakes will be made. It happens, or has happened to all of us pilots at one time or another. The best thing to do is not beat yourself up over it, but definitely LEARN from it 👍

[@Gamatech123]

As a new student, I get a lot out of videos like these. This instance highlights, once again, to make sure you follow the checklist in the plane. Not from habit, or memory, or from reading it before you get in. *IN* the plane, *FROM* the paper. I can imagine it becomes very, very easy to become accustomed or complacent. Huge credit where credit is due: Thankyou for not only admitting a mistake, but being big enough to share it online for others to learn from!

[@bryansimmons4550]

It's difficult to see the flap lever in the video, and with no mention of a takeoff using flaps, it never occurred to me to check that. I've been a Cessna driver most of the time, and it's a lot easier to see the flap switch in one of those. It's still good of you to point out your mistake and share it. None of us are perfect.

[@AndrzejLKS]

I knew it before the video started

[@andreabreu3878]

Haha me to

[@jadler10]

HA! I just did that yesterday. "why is my nose pitched down so much?" Cool I feel better.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Pleased to help.

[@davecrupel2817]

Droop snoot

[@nativeafroeurasian]

Manouvering Characteristics Augmentation System

[@raymondgoubet]

Better to forget raising the flaps than to forget lowering the landing gear!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yup.

[@Wildcat5181]

raymondgoubet Or the column lock.

[@SithLord2066]

Forgetting to raise the flaps killed this 19 year old new pilot and his 3 family members.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4rUhGCgaNWIfrs

[@raymondgoubet]

Very informative video. Sad story.

[@55yxalaG]

I've done that to many times ... In fsx

[@martynh5410]

I don’t pilot real planes (just R/C) but have a lot of respect for any pilot that shares his mistakes with others. I was also impressed that you looked around until you discovered what you had missed. Great video sir!

[@dickjohnson4268]

No sir. Not just an R/C pilot. My best students are still flying r/c, taildraggers, and they fly for the majors as well. R/C pilots have an added set of judgement skills; no feedback, no airspeed indicator, and reversed controls when your prize machine it headed towards you. I just got a new R/C electric Cub for Christmas. I'm waiting for my former student to check me out as I am a whole lot rusty.

[@abbieamavi]

I love how you shared this, it's SO helpful to a student pilot like me, thanks for being humble and transparent, wish you the best! :D

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you Veni.

[@shark5919]

I spotted the mistake! Your driving on the wrong side of the road!!!

[@bodiecallaghan6801]

Shark 591 those be the replies of non plane geeks

[@jonasmller6962]

Bodie Callaghan ITS called a joke

[@markstainton9080]

Right hand traffic rule. Fly on right of a line feature ( M25 in this case). Pilot is on the side of aircraft to best keep feature in sight and any traffic coming the other way will be more visible and not on a converging course.

[@TheRealTatakan]

you're*

[@bodiecallaghan6801]

Dat1 Guy of course i knew it was a joke, i was that people actually comment things like that.

[@rbmcfii]

Great video, I learned fly in 1974 with the London School of Flying at Elstree which became CabAir. Now retired APTL living in California but still instructing in light aircraft. Even with many thousands of hours under my belt, flying around the world, I can tell you one never stops learning. I commend you for being self critical and analyzing each flight.

[@RJPick1]

I did exactly the opposite while under instruction on an approach to Shoreham in a Diamond DA 40. This aircraft has electrically operated flaps with a tell tail light indicating their position. I dropped the first stage of flaps on turning Base then on Finals dropped the second and final stage. As I sailed over the threshhold the aircraft didn't seem to want to land and sailed down the runway for what seemed like ages. Eventually after a small bump or two I finally landed but knew something wasn't quite right. I looked at my instructor and he smiled back at me saying: "Check when you change the flaps that the light indicates that they have actually got to the required position or better still look out the window and check". Unbeknown to me, he had pulled the flap fuse on the Downwind so none of my flap selections had changed the flap angle and I had just done my first flap-less landing!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I love instructors who let you learn from your mistakes.

[@kaasmeester5903]

I'm no pilot, but that's a really good lesson for many disciplines: stuff doesn't always work, and it's not always obvious that it doesn't. That's why you double-check. Hell of an instructor.

[@samarthvinod9511]

Thats a lesson you'll never forgett

[@JodelFlyer]

i am sure that every pilot watching this will have made a similar mistake at some time in their flying. it is one that you will not forget in the future and its all about learning. It takes courage to post mistakes when most people would be wanting to brush it under the carpet!. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you Tim.

[@jimrhoads9810]

my instructor let me take of down wind one time, then ask me if i knew why i was not climbing like i should. i never done that again.......

[@dickjohnson4268]

Would you care to guess how many airline pilots miss the gear retraction on single engine missed approaches? "What the HELL is wrong with this pig now? " That's always good for a laugh in the sim. Not so much in the real world.

[@tomyfamily1]

Don't feel bad good chap, I once forgot to lower the gear on final approach. I was only 50ft AGL when I noticed I didn't feel the initial drag from lowering the gears. Then as I'm getting lower, I realized I didn't see the landing lights reflecting on the wings. That's when I hold level at 50ft AGL, lower the gears and continue my approach. Things happen, You're still a great pilot.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Good recovery!

[@GaryNumeroUno]

Maybe you were distracted by the traffic actually moving on the M25!

[@bourbine3126]

GaryNumeroUno for once

[@xgtiguy]

I thought that was the m1

[@nickpovey999]

Done the same Whilst in training, wondered why I was so slow on downwind until I realised 2 stages of flaps were on! Slightly vindicated that my instructor didn’t realise either! Great video as ever - keep them coming

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Nick. Glad I'm not the only one.

[@Repented008]

nickpovey999 Find a new school.... PLEASE!

[@stevelackscheide8307]

Took off on a hot, humid day a couple of years ago and was expecting an anemic climb rate in a 172. I wasn't disappointed. 90 minutes later when I arrived at my destination and shut down, I realized the cause. I had failed to return the switch to both mags after runup. I had flown on one mag the entire trip. Major DOH for me! I have to learn from others' mistakes...I won't live long enough to make them all myself. Thanks for posting!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It's all so easy to do, which means mistakes like these help us focus on making sure we don't make them again.

[@AwaisKhalid]

One of the similar incident happened to one of my colleague. We were flying in the training area carrying out high G manoeuvres like loops, roll of the top etc.. After we were done, we decided to return to home base. After a couple of minutes, my colleague announce something weird. He said he has full throttle and still he's not getting as much airspeed as it should be and it's actually decreasing. After our trouble shooting, figured out his flaps went to full down position because of the high Gs he's been pulling (flap lever slot was also kind of worn out). Since we occasionally carry out manoeuvres, he said it slipped out of his mind to carry out after-manoeuvres checks which included to check flaps full up.

[@joelangley7974]

I love how honest you are in these videos, you don't have to show us this but you do and I think that's why this channel stands out

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Joe.

[@DoctorDARKSIDE]

Been there myself but after a go-around, left full flaps for a decent amount of seconds wondering why the darn thing would not climb! On the positive side of things, the Warrior/Cherokee is a very forgiving aeroplane when these things happen - on a more complex type with higher thrust-to-weight ratio we'd have to be a lot more careful to avoid structural damage (i.e. overspeed with extended flaps). Thanks for sharing!!

[@lone5463]

Right at the moment you told me you had to pitch down more, I realized that you hadn't retracted flaps. Happened to me once.

[@Biggles2498]

What about a trim wheel jammed due to a pen stuck in the mechanism out of view ?

[@dozermedic18]

Of course I have! I’m a newly licensed pilot but you’ve nailed it! Getting comfortable with the standard scenario makes us all relax a bit. Check lists are our friends 😉 thanks for humbly sharing

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you.

[@jrmmarshburn]

I thought it was for taking off on a taxiway. As you lined up on the “runway” is that a yellow line I see. Technically that is a taxiway lined up with the runway. Runway doesn’t start until the white markings. So technically you started your takeoff roll/full power on the taxiway. Correct me if I’m wrong. Jerry

[@vandal751]

I was just looking for comments on that. All ICAO but it would be painted a bit different in the US. Doesn't look like a blast pad to me...

[@a320homecockpit]

this happens to everyone.. once in a while... most people are scared to admit ...

[@rickrudd]

:) And it's quite annoying that those who haven't, but most certainly will some day, sit back and judge with a smug, "Not me, mate."

[@pauleyplay]

Yep it will bite you. How about the gear ? Yes I have forgot !

[@pilotguy7074]

Thats why using a checklist is important!

[@cvenasquez]

I've made this mistake fortunately with an instructor. He pointed it out and we both a had a laugh. This is an easy mistake to make . Thanks for sharing.

[@Capt_Sam_J]

Thank you for sharing. It is alway nice to see perfect flights, but we are all human and make mistakes. It makes us all better pilot's to admit and learn from our mistakes. You are a great person for sharing your experience and your thoughts during the incident. Happy flying from someone who can't anymore.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Samual.

[@warrencurry874]

Very courageous to use your mistakes in the hope of alerting others. For me, even as a teenage flyer, I studied the FAA's monthly accident reports and memorized the cause. I am convinced that some of those saved my life. Thank you.

[@ryanmcgowan3061]

Your checklist should involve touching the control, instrument, or dial that you are checking. This makes it muscle memory as well as forces you to pay specific attention to the item your checking. It's easy to verbally callout an item in your checklist, but due to habit, you say it, but don't necessarily check it.

[@TheComputec]

Not being an aviator I had no clue what the issue was but well done for calmly figuring it out and having the maturity to share this valuable learning example

[@bravohotel100]

Not quite as bad as a recent incident involving an A320 which while on route the crew noticed a higher fuel burn and would have to divert as they would not have enough fuel to reach the destination the reason....forgot to put the gear "up" hard to believe I know but it did happen. Always enjoy your videos Jon

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks. Those checklists are really important.

[@raymondgoubet]

Then what on Earth were they doing? Checklists anybody? Oh dear.

[@joshsanderson5512]

raymondgoubet they are air india pilots

[@raymondgoubet]

Maybe I don't know. What I do know however, is that forgetfulness is not the privilege of any nation or race or whatever. Only usually of people who can't be bothered to check. That is why I said "Checklists anybody?". We all know when we need to remember 7 things, we often forget one. Hence the Checklists!

[@proprotornut5389]

Would that not damage the gear on a fast airliner like an A320?

[@randyporter3491]

Thank you for sharing this and not having such a huge ego, that you scrapped this footage and forgot the whole matter. We all make mistakes. In fact, I haven't made my last one for today, none of us are perfect pilots, or anything else for that matter. But, learning from videos like this, helps us all become better.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Pleasure Randy. Thank you.

[@beachparty7725]

I would have said that you didn't retract your collar? as there was too much of a gap between your neck and your collar?

[@skisreports8358]

Beach Party Oh my god I didn’t realize that and it’s pissing me off now

[@foretrak]

Classic. I did exactly the same on my cross-country qualifier in the overhead at Cambridge many years ago. I was just glad the instructor wasn't there to notice.

[@stephenbond3348]

I was a CFI all the way back in 1980. Invariably a student would ask about an emergency night landing. They are "all ears" waiting tohear what to do. "Slow to 70, 7700 in the box, look for a big dark area if over land, communicate and keep coming down at glide speed...when you think you are about fifty feet above the ground.. Turn on your landing light. If you don't like what you see...turn it off! I was also an MEI. My favorite lines there to a student pilot was: "when you experience the loss of a good engine, the remaining engine will take you to the crash site." We had the Piper Seminole and Seneca II. The Seminole VMC if I recall was 88 kts. So if you flew it like a test pilot and it was fresh out of the factory you were only at 300' agl almost 1.5 miles from your departure point. Not impressive. Best to pull back on the good one and hopefully find a suitable crash site. I loved the little Seminole! Many moons ago. Ego's have killed many pilots. Like it has been said: "There are hardly any "old and bold" pilots around. Just take a look at the B-52 commander practicing for an airshow in Washington state. Went eventually knife edge in a low-level turn and crashed. He had been documented as to flying unsafe a number of times. Very very sad and his unprofessionalism and ego snuffed out the lives of his whole crew.

[@ChiDraconis]

What I don't get is why some persons - obviously not "flyers" by nature - will tighten up too much on turn to final and bring the lower wing under; I over-shot slightly with my CFI on board the trainer and all I can think of is do not drop the inside wing; Staying light on the controls and staying ready to roll out with power and top rudder peripheral vision methinks the CFI did not even notice me keeping it light but I see a few videos that defy thinking to me; Of course performance stressing does occur and forces the issue but in your opinion causes ppl to be so un-aware of what a machine is and what a machine does? The capacity to say no for me is the #1 IFR skill that anyone can achieve;

[@stephenbond3348]

@@ChiDraconis I'm not sure if I'm clear but I'm sure you are aware of the danger of "cross controlling" on the base or turn to final. The pilot senses he is needed to steepen the turn but winds up cross-controlled. Stall and spin occurs at an unrecoverable altitude. An example might be at an airport with two busy parallel runways where one pilot does not initiate his turning radius needed due to a crosswind on base to final and is encroaching on another aircraft on final or turning onto.

[@ChiDraconis]

@@stephenbond3348 My concern is lack of mechanical flight awareness in persons; Bit what you addressed here; I did violate procedure by putting a trainer over when a CFI had only instructed forward level stall as it was so apparent to a trainer is not likely to go into flat spin and we were over 2,000 agl ~ he simply asks what are you doing and so I recover but here sitting here not costing any live risk I see an instructor demonstrate what I thought; Applies the exact wrong controls at altitude then just abruptly lets go of everything grasping the airframe; My question further developed is how would this be approached in Commercial IFR Simulator as I do not like Cabin being nice so wonder what they do in training for commercial when a person like what aggravates me is detected; Labor law seems overly convoluted there for me; Flight deck is not the place for Human Resource blather as far as my Plug Nickel will go so my question is what of the occasional person more interested in people than what the machine will do;

[@vicwiseman6038]

I guessed it right as you climbed out and I am not a pilot. Just seams like an easy thing to forget. Air traffic controller here who also makes mistakes because I am human. Recently informed a helicopter of traffic, "Chopper 2, traffic off your left wing, 2 miles, southbound, climbing out of 015, helicopter." Another controller asked me to think about what I had just said and then clarified that a helicopter doesn't have a left or right wing. What matters is what you do after you realize you've made an error (never stop learning). Safe flying and a great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@claywilson267]

Noticed another mistake. When reading back takeoff clearance you didn’t clarify which runway. I know I’m an American pilot and all but I doubt that’s ok.

[@branonlamphere9624]

Clay Wilson Did he even get permission to access the CMA?

[@janfluitsma8274]

Uncontroled, so no clearances.

[@skytrotter6144]

Uncontrolled airport so no takeoff clearance they just give you information on the runway in use and if busy or not as well as the QNH that’s about it...

[@petesmith9472]

Branon Lamphere oh goodness....up pops Mr Nasty....gee Clay did he EVEN ..... (In other words "should he EVEN be flying because here in the States we'd ground him and if he's not s tail dragger we'd stroke our ego even further by saying how he's not even flying a real aircraft")

[@LowWingFlyer]

Good reminder for us all! Checklist usage was pounded into my brain during training. Glad they did because they are there for a reason no matter how long you have been flying.

[@skydive1424]

No big deal. We all made such mistakes. I was once as a passenger with a guy that also forgot it. I was amused waiting for him to catch it himself but he was happily chugging along so I told him after probably 20 minutes. Another time, I was flying myself and noticed that I had to shove the throttle forward a tiny bit to keep power a couple of times until almost full throttle when it finally dawned on me to pull carb heat after which the thing had plenty power again.

[@devingraves8044]

As a student, I made this mistake countless times on short field and soft field practing. I finally drilled it into my head, but now as a private pilot I am always checking for flaps after takeoff. This is a great reminder to not become lax about it as time goes on!

[@MartynWright1604]

Yeah, we all make mistakes. Good job in working out what it was quickly. On my first flight on my own after passing my PPL test, I had a situation where the plane wouldn't climb easily after takeoff, and I (like you) was beginning to think of calling ATC and returning to the airfield in case there was a problem with the engine. Turns out that I had forgotton to turn the carb heat off before takeoff and therefore I wasn't getting full power. In a Cessna 152 (as I was flying at the time) every RPM counts as they are quite underpowered. Part of the powerup check list on the ground calls for checking the carb heat, and I had simply gone onto another part of the checklist and forgotton to close it. Very worried for a minute or so until I realised what it was.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

That's a good one Martyn.

[@JackerNo2]

I spotted the error but 10/10 to you for recognising you had a problem and remaining calm. I recently had to abort a crosswind tailwheel landing and when the workload is high, you can sometimes forget a simple task you would carry out. In my case, I forgot to turn off the fuel pump, not safety critical but other tasks have to take priority. Super video, I'm impressed

[@davidplatt4737]

Flying solo now as a student...landed today and started my after landing checklist. Reached over to turn off the fuel pump and landing light and thought “oh they’re already off”. That’s when I realized I completely forgot to do a pre landing checklist. Oops. It happens though, what doesn’t kill you teaches you.

[@christophertrott8663]

An absolutely fantastic video. I always say we’ve all made mistakes and I expect we will all make them again. The fact that you are prepared to share something like this, so publicly and talk us through your thought process shows how humble you are and that you have no ego. I don’t know your name because I just stumbled upon this video but well done mate.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Christopher Trott thanks Christopher. That's appreciated. Jon

[@javaguy418]

I've made the same mistake. I've also flown for about thirty minutes before I realized my transponder was still off.

[@cfg003]

Thanks for sharing the mistake. We all make them and we all learn from them! One lesson learned here: ALWAYS use checklists and actually confirm the things on the checklist

[@TRPGpilot]

My first flight in the 172 and my wife's first flight: lots of power needed to start taxi and could barely keep it in a straight line while taxing, just always seemed to want to make a circle. Anyway, after needing at least 1500 rpm to taxi, I decided if I could not figure out whats wrong during the runup, its a no go. Turned out I was taxing with the parking brake engaged :-. Not before I passed the local airport cafe, must have looked like a right idiot.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Everyone sharing their mistakes like this, is making me feel less of a plonker. Still a plonker, just not a real bad plonker.

[@GaryMCurran]

We're all human, we all make mistakes. Good pilots learn from their mistakes. Either that, or we scare outselves right out of the cockpit, either of which can be a good thing. As long as you're learning, you'll keep getting better. But, don't get cocky, and don't forget those checklists.

[@TRPGpilot]

I should add that all flights I undertook while training for my PPL on the 152 we never used the parking brake, its parked on grass after all. Of course, I always check now that I only fly the 172 as occasionally someone else applies it after parking up. . .

[@Jake10203]

@TRPGpilot Lol I did that a few times starting out. Funny looking back but embarassing at the time. 😁

[@aaronlee2240]

TRPG pilot done the same with our 172, didn't used to work on the planes I learnt on, in a plane where it does work I forgot to take it off!

[@Ellexis]

Caught it in the video, partly because you asked us to look for something, and partly due to the fact that I've done it myself. Thanks for keeping it fresh and honest mate!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers.

[@outwiththem]

In the flight school Cherokee in the 1990's we taped the flap handle with red tape to make it more visible. Problem solved.

[@JulioBailon]

I am not a Piper pilot but as soon as you mentioned the nose up tendency I noticed your flaps were down. It's good to post these mistakes so other pilots don't make them and you also remember it forever. I had a checkride two days ago and I was so nervous that actually forgot my 50 degrees of flaps on take off (and this is a normal checklist item) and I corrected it during right on the runway. Mistakes happen and it is not bad to admit them.

[@RoryOnAir]

We use 1 stage of flaps on take off in the Eurostar. I've only ever forgotten to set them once... on my GST. I also had a situation on one of my first solo flights when I did a go around from final approach and for a moment was worried that my climb performance seemed abnormally sluggish... I had all 3 stages of flap still deployed. It only took me a few seconds to work out what I had done wrong but it does raise the heart rate! Great video.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Rory. There's nothing like having an examiner sitting next to you, to make you screw up!

[@RoryOnAir]

The Flying Reporter yeah you're not wrong! I was at 300 feet, went to retract them and that's when I realised. He of course knew all the time but hadn't stopped me taking off as it was perfectly safe. A very good learning experience.

[@SteveMiddleton]

Ha ha, i did almost exactly the same thing on one of my early solos, came in for a touch and go and forgot to clean the flaps up. Luckily I realised before I’d gone too far down the runway and quickly reset back to 1 stage. We are all human and checklists help to mitigate that human factor. Well done Jon for not panicking and working through the problem logically.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Steve.

[@nikkaudenried9309]

Rory On Air i

[@MagnumOpusSRT]

Thank you for highlighting your mistake. We all make them, but the idea is to reduce them. Each pilot should strive to make that flight as safe as possible. It’s all about controlling risks. We use checklists, check weather, and maintain proficiency to reduce risk. Tony Kern has two fantastic books that helps pilots at all levels. 1. Flight Discipline 2.. Redefining Airmanship

[@kapuzenmann]

I'm proud of you to upload the video!!! Absolutely nothing to shame for, i bet a lot of PPL owners got into similar situations and didnt even talk about because they feel ashamed! But thats wrong, humans are no Computers! ;-) Your Video may give other pilots a bit awareness of how fast it can happen to find yourselfe suddenly in a non-normal situation. But you did well kept cool monitored the gauges and whatched the ailerons. You just made it! ;-)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+kapuzen mann thank you for the support.

[@aylesburymusic]

I haven't done this since I introduced an after take off 'FART' check. Flaps up-Fuel Pump off-Alt set-Radio set/RPM set-Transponder Alt or S.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I like the idea of the FART checklist.

[@IliasJoels]

You forgot to put the gear up John!

[@isuckatsoldering6554]

Classic. The fairings must have added the lift.

[@Nicholas-ob5eh]

hahahahaha

[@larrygreen8912]

isuckatsoldering ... the wheel pants are break away

[@nodnerbhu]

lmao

[@stacase]

That was my thought too. And just now I went back to see that at time mark 1:30 or so you can see from the wheel pants it's a fix gear aircraft. Nope I didn't guess flaps, on my review of the clip I didn't see where he put in any degree of flaps. One would think that a crappy climb rate would say, "You for forgot the flaps dummy!" But then maybe he's got so much power that wasn't much of a factor.

[@JimPaar]

I fly a similar aircraft, I noticed your flaps were completely down. I did that on my check ride and failed and had to retake two days later. Another thing I did that same day was forgetting to put flaps down for short field takeoff. Great video, love these videos because they teach others what not to do and be more cautious

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi. The flaps weren't completely down. 2 stages, for a short field take off. I would have struggled to climb at all with them completely down.

[@justnoalfiebadminton4196]

“Taking off golf- Oscar Romeo” are you flying in a different country or was the real biggest mistake your radio. It’s “golf-Oscar Romeo Lining up runway ## for immediate departure” or “golf- Oscar Romeo lining up runway ##” then “golf- Oscar Romeo rolling runway ##”

[@cammc_0]

Just no!!!! Alfie Badminton no were just English and you’re probably ameican

[@samuelnuchia4989]

@@cammc_0 are runways in England called by numbers and not heading?

[@cammc_0]

no we just say for example 'ATC - EZY214 Runway 23R Cleared for Takeoff, winds are ---@-kt's' 'EZY214 Cleared for takeoff runway 23r ezy214' we dont say 'for immediate departure' that's just stupid 'line up and wait' is exactly as it sounds

[@justnoalfiebadminton4196]

IAMDEFECTIVE1 I can assure you last time I checked I’m English

[@justnoalfiebadminton4196]

IAMDEFECTIVE1 you are referring to the radio of the air traffic controller that is not what the pilot says The pilot in this video makes A non-real call

[@beaugunn2632]

Yep... spotted it on climb out. No after take off checks at around 300 agl, "Gear up (even if they are fixed), oil pressure. and FLAPS RETRACTED!" It's so easy to screw up in the air. I have, and it has almost cost me my life, and unfortunately has of more than one of my now passed aviating friends. Great video, and let's hope others will learn from it. Thank you. It was so kind of you to share your faux pas so honestly : ) Safer flying from now on!

[@BeechSportBill]

Forgot to activate the RATO bottles?

[@brianberezowski5352]

YESSSSSS I got it. I'm a student pilot with only 35 hours ... so maybe it was a lucky guess??? I've done that once in my training ... for got to raise the flaps. It doesn't take long before you realize something isn't right. AGREE 100% about the use of check lists as well as audible call outs. I "talk to my self" out loud with regards to my check list items, starting from take off roll to touch down. After verbalizing ... and trying to remember from memory, I then quickly peek at the check list to make sure I haven't forgotten any thing. THANK YOU for sharing your experience as this is a GREAT reminder for ALL pilots no matter what their skill level and experience. "A good pilot is ALWAYS learning". Looking forward to more of your videos. 😊 Two thumbs up. 👍👍

[@flybe146]

HI Jon, I did wonder if it could have been that the flaps had not been retracted because of the symptoms you were describing but I have never flown that type of aircraft before and didn't know which way the leaver position was for up or down. Very very good video and one that we can all learn from mate.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks David.

[@davechapman7735]

Yes Sir I did spot that you had about 2 notches on as I could see the lever position and when you started talking trim that confirmed it to me. Thanks for sharing this. I've had 200 hours on PA28 but not flown for about 20 years, thanks again and very best wishes from NZ

[@Thetwinster-xw8rs]

Didnt go over his checklist

[@talexb]

Heh. The three things I could think of: 1. Lean mixture; 2. Reset trim; 3. Contact ATC w/ your intentions. That's just based on being up with my brother-in-law a few times in a Cessna 150. Felt pretty pleased with myself when the answer was #2. And your second mistake (or even, the root cause) was relying on memory for the checklist. :) Always, without fail, use a checklist. You never know when memory will fail you. Thanks for the video!

[@ryanm.191]

Ooohhh elstree?! I fly out of there, doing my ppl training there. I fly g-lvrs. Definitely going to sub to a local flier

[@hb1338]

There are actually two things to learn from this video. 1) the importance of checklists, they free the mind to deal with other immediate and important issues 2) the pilot learned how he reacts to moments of difficulty, which is extremely useful information.

[@RcBuddy]

Just a note, would it be useful to put a flaps warning light on the dash like a handbreak warning in a car?

[@josipvrandecic2472]

Absolutely necessary, thanks Mr. FGDude.

[@55yxalaG]

I think it would be too hard for the plane to calculate, unless it's just flaps down means warning, then it world eventually get ignored. But nice idea!

[@MarbewRecords]

Totally agree with this idea

[@Sports-Jorge]

Thanks for sharing. We all forget a checklist item once in awhile. But that is why we should never neglect how important the checklists are. This is especially true for before takeoff and before landing.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for the comment.

[@Sonnabend00]

Tower did not clear you for takeoff.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

non-towered aerodrome....called air-ground in the UK. Pilot states intentions...no clearance required.

[@delgriffith1]

Ah, CTAF in the USA. Lots of those around.

[@cyr112]

Called uncontrolled in Canada..

[@orchestranl]

When entering the runway, I wondered whether he was cleared to do so. I thought of flaps as well but smaller aicraft don't usually need flaps on takeoff. ... And after watching the video it seems that flaps are indeed the issue, but different from what I thought, and at the same time exactly the same.

[@slapfaan]

Your crosswind take-off technique was wrong. Control input should be into the wind. RWY 26, wind 240/6 kts (from the left)

[@testi2025]

I bet that it’s because he is correcting the prop torque with his feet and then following it with his hands.

[@chrysalide_aero]

Hello, The same happened to us while I was with my instructor, I noticed the aircraft flew nose down, we could trim it out properly, but I did'nt recognize the attitude (nose down) straight & level. We got about 110 kt in a Piper and flew for a while until we saw and retracted. Reagrds, Jean-François

[@throngcleaver]

And you failed to arm your photon torpedoes!

[@Repented008]

Hahaha! Good one bro...

[@bwinford1561]

Item number 4 on "after take off checklist"

[@flyboy6354]

I fly several different aircraft and have gotten into the habit of using the complex checklists for all of them so I don’t forget things like flaps and gear. It is better to have to many checklist items than to forget a critical one. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Flyboy63 good idea. Cheers.

[@EinkOLED]

Yep, knew it was flaps

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Well done.

[@maxaphone]

In all facets of life, but especially in aviation, it is more important to know how to fix a mistake properly than it is to not make one in the first place.

[@eddiev737]

Another mistake you did, which i thought you would mention, was the fact that you applied takeoff power (attempted takeoff) before the demarcation line. At least here in the U.S. you are not supposed to do that. Technically you started to takeoff on a taxiway. Do not know if the rules of that is different in this case.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

A few people, mostly from the US, have questioned this. The runway has a feint arrow, suggesting it's a displaced threshold, that you can usually start the take off roll from. On the AIP entry for the aerodrome though, it specifically says that you should not take off from that section of the tarmac. So, I think you may be correct.

[@stevefrog4357]

There is no "suggesting", it's very clear - taxiways have yellow lines, runways are white. You started your takeoff roll from a taxiway.

[@Rad1x]

Yeah, it doesn't have the displaced threshold arrows so I wouldn't take off from it.

[@PicklePilot]

The line was yellow so that’s taxi way before runway. That’s the first thing I noticed.

[@billymays1325]

Please cite the FAR saying you can't start takeoff roll on a taxiway. Actually, cite the FAR that I can't takeoff and land from the taxiway. (hint: there is no far)

[@GoproAdventureCrew]

Honest mistake, and it’s great that you self identified the issue and acted accordingly!! To be honest I didn’t catch it but I did catch something else; you might want to start doing a leaning ritual so you minimize the wear and tear on your cyclinders and spark plugs! It’ll save you a lot of money in the long run my friend

[@Jimbo-in-Thailand]

The first mistake I noticed was that you didn't do a mag check just prior to takeoff. You also didn't do a full motion flight controls visual check. Normally these are done while briefly stopped on the taxiway at the entrance to the active runway. Your mistakes are hardly surprising since you also admit that you don't use a checklist. I was also taught it's a good habit to hold full up elevator while taxiing to minimize the wear and tear on the semi-delicate nose gear on this class of general aviation aircraft. Hate to say it, but you're a bit unsafe pal and it's gonna bite you sooner or later. My advice is to use your checklist. It's there to prevent the very mistakes you've demonstrated. Good luck.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

The vital actions, including mag check, and control check were completed prior to this (edited out). The pre-flight checklists were run from a checklist. I was trained to carry out after take off checklist, pre landing checklists from memory. 'Unsafe' is a bit harsh mate.

[@Jimbo-in-Thailand]

Not harsh at all "mate" based on your video and your admitting you didn't use your checklist. Anyway, it struck a nerve with you, and that's a good thing since flying ain't very forgiving sometimes. Cheers from Thailand buddy!

[@lucyclairenewell]

The most unsafe pilots are the people that believe that they are free of any risk of error. The 'it'll never happen to me' attitude is one to watch. Personally I think that this video is absolutely fantastic, don't listen the likes of Jimbo and keep posting your flying experiences! Many training organisations teach to carry out after takeoff and pre landing checks from memory given that hands should be on controls and throttle in case of possible EFATO and eyes outside for traffic and possible NORDO in close proximity. I don't mean to be un just as I am unsure of your flying background Jimbo but please don't be so demeaning to the Flying reporter. He is not aquaplaning dangerously along a lake or braking civil aviation rules purposefully, this video offers a fantastic tool in learning for both the flying reporter, and other student pilots. To say he is purposefully 'unsafe' is ridiculous. It is true that aviation is very unforgiving but it is also important to remember that lapses do occasionally happen and that it is important to live and learn from them. Im sure this flight video has taught many people a valuable lesson about mindsets, (in this case T/O configuration) At the end of the day, you rectified the problem, learnt from the mistake, and now provide a video that others can experience and learn from. Thank you and great editing by the way!

[@JimWalsh-rl5dj]

Jimbo what tosh. test the mags at the hold with the nose into wind to prevent RPM fluctuation. Check lists?? It is a light aircraft, a simple type. And if part of your taxi to the threshold is down wind, holding the elevator up is bloody dangerous. Use checklist be buggered, I dont know who or where you learned to fly but your teachers need a pull through. The lad in this video seems to be OK and he did a good "whatsup" when he knew something was wrong. I take it if you had an EFATO, you would look for your check list? Get real laddie. The WW2 tried and tested RAF way still works, downwind, bumpfittch for example, or do you mess abot witha check list. Lddie, if in a GA aircraft you fuck about with check lists, YOU are dangerous. I can write all of this as an ex member of the CAAFU and have failed many potential commercial pilots with attitudes like yours. The flying reporter did OK and he learned from it, that is what aviation is about. remember that as a PPL, flying is supposed to be fun. Also, as an old fart who is allowed only to fly into rages now, there is not enough time spent on stalls, spins and upset recovery.

[@stacase]

As a viewer, how was I supposed to know flaps were down and something that could be forgotten? Well anyway if you do a short field take-off you're going to have to remember to take out the flaps. Fooling around with a check-list on the climb-out isn't what I would be doing. The why isn't this machine climbing like it's supposed to, is the clue that you didn't retract the flaps at the proper time. Check-lists done on the ground are extensive. Those that I need in the air I've got up on there on the sun-visor and they're short and to the point.

[@jfurqueron]

Didn't know what he was flying, but my standard after take off memory items are. Positive Rate, gear up, then Flaps up, climb power, after take off check list. This was crew procedure in our Dash 8's, and Q-400's. And works well in almost all others.

[@forfengeligfaen]

Thanks for sharing this makes me feel much better. I made the same mistake as a student pilot. The instructor was very unimpressed and said "Can't you see the planes attitude is different?"

[@LeantoPeak]

I have always used flaps on takeoff during training and I think I always will, so that I never forget to retract them. As far as I know, the only disadvantage of using flaps is slight more fuel consumption and slight loss of controllability with gusty crosswinds. While the advantage is always a shorter takeoff roll and becoming airborne at a slower speed.

[@fireflyrobert]

A good lesson and I have done the same. The solution is to always exercise the discipline of doing an After Take Off Check. Also if most of your take offs are flapless do the occasional flapped take off to give yourself practice of retracting flaps after take off. Also when operating flaps think "Limitation Operation Indication".

[@BaronPilot]

Nice video. It is very humble of you to show your mistakes. Don't worry, we have all made the same mistake at some point in time.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks.

[@luber905]

Thanks for sharing. Launched after a touch-and-go as a student pilot with full flaps on a C-172. It flew, but similar symptoms. The C-172 pre-takeoff checklist specifies to set flaps appropriate for takeoff needs. Obviously there’s no checklist for touch-and-go’s, just a flow. It reinforces my dependency on checklists; one item at a time, follow the list with a finger, call the item and confirm out loud to myself. Too may crashes, both GA and commercial, from missed checklist items.

[@phillipruda2445]

Catching up with your excellent videos as I have been watching them over the last six months. I appreciate this is an old video, but wanted to comment as someone who has just started my training. What I saw in your video was someone who was in full control of their aircraft, managing communications effectively, navigating air space, whilst diagnosing an issue (successfully). Yes, that issue was as a result of forgetting flaps, but your training and experience enabled you to spot the issue and resolve it in a timely manner and safely. Keep up the great videos. Perhaps I may run into you at Goodwood one of these days. All the best.

[@nsabardin]

I applaud you for admitting and sharing your mistakes. Ego has no place in a cockpit. I’ve been doing this job for 20 years and what is good for us professional pilots is good for GA pilots. It starts and finish with a checklist. Let’s look at the impact of your mistake: you started to stress a bit, thought you had a problem, looking back to your stabilizer instead of forward, whilst in a busy airspace with radio chatter. Turned out ok but how about if it was lower visibility, or a raining, or at night? How about if you were in turbulence, low clouds, minimum fuel? A very small mistake can get accentuated by pilot error and when we are stress, we have tunnel vision. Checklists help you think clearly, use them every time. Happy and safe flying mate. (PS: your first mistake was to start your takeoff roll on a portion of pavement that was still a taxiway. Take a look at CAP637 to refresh your memory.)

[@christophertancrell5259]

I did the same thing a week ago when I was preparing for my instrument checkride. I performed a low approach, and when I went missed, I failed to perform the after takeoff checklist. Several miles later I wondered the same thing you did... why do I need do much down force to fly straight and level? Come to find out that I still had 10 degrees of flaps. Definitely a lesson learned about the use of checklists!

[@mikefrey4406]

Low time PA28 pilot here. Just before you note that "I am having to push forward on the yoke", I was looking next to your right knee, beginning to think "he didn't retract the flaps". As soon as you said "trim wheel fully forward", I knew.... mainly because I've done the same thing several times.

[@StefanDrury]

I managed to climb to just over 1,500 feet trying to work out why the autopilot couldn't hold a climb before realising I hadn't retracted the flaps at 500 feet. That day I had an instructor onboard as well, and he hadn't realised either. So you're not alone mate! Nice video.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Stefan!. I make more mistakes when I have an instructor!

[@StefanDrury]

Congrats on 5K subscribers as well, that's awesome 👍

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Stefan Drury thanks stef...getting there.

[@Algrimor]

Thanks for sharing this, it is a learning opportunity for all. Always use your checklists and flows. Appreciate you sharing this with everyone!

[@Yotanido]

I do the after takeoff checklist from memory, but I make sure to always go through each item. So once I reach 400 ft AGL, I will, among other things, touch the flaps lever, even if it is all the way down. If it's not, I know to retract the flaps. I actually got told about this when I first flew with a different instructor. He's actually a commercial pilot and tries to get his students to adopt some of the order and structure you'd find in commercial aircraft. It is very appreciated on my part. (Oh, I might want to mention that I'm still a student pilot)

[@rondunlop985]

Thanks. This helps make me remember to smash the checklist as I start my training.

[@robertmartinez2564]

great video my friend, We all have made misstakes and this is just something you will never forget, and you will be only be better from it. There are no free of error pilots out there and why we all want to be pilots is because LEARNING will always be a huge process during our time in the air. I really like your way of seeing this and its great to see that you want to share it with us. Good luck in the future!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Robert Martinez thank you Robert.

[@johngoldsmith1332]

Thank you for sharing this. Actually reading the check list is so important. As a recently qualified PPL I forgot to lower any flap for landing at Compton Abbas one day and did an inadvertent flapless landing half way down the runway.Luckily in my little Cessna 150 I got away with it as I probablyly should have gone around but it was a lesson learnt.

[@PilotCrawford]

Thanks for sharing. You aren’t the first or the last one to do this. Glad you stayed safe!

[@domigrin4886]

I think it's really good that you make your mistakes known to the public. Problems may be avoided in the future. 👍🏻

[@jonochalker7244]

Simple mistake but you kept calm and found the problem and corrected it! I always use the FEAT check at 200ft agl as it’s an easy way to memorise them. F laps E ngine t&p A ltimiter set qnh T trim 80kts Then I do the rest of the checks when level (lights and fuel pump etc)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Jono.

[@neilbertg8143]

I thought the weather is the problem but the flaps. Great and information video. Checklist is a life saver even if you memorized it by heart. Fly safe always :)

[@RosssRoyce]

Another (sort of) mistake is: when line up for take off, it is very good to set the compass manually in line with the runway bearing. Usually I’d do instantaneous line up checklist: dir gyro, doors, transponder on alt.