Fun with Flying

[cgrab]

Today was a busy day at the airport with several military planes making T-N-G's. After my run-up, I was holding short for wake turbulence and saw a big gray plane on a long final. Knowing the wake turbulence clock would reset, I keyed the mic "Tower, if I wave the RJ wake turbulence can I get out before the big guy gets in?" Tower "Nxxxxx cleared for take off, no delay, winds 330 at 10 turn 330" I was rolling as I read the clearance back. As my wheels cleared the ground I pushed to gain airspeed and began my turn into the wind. Tower comes on with "Nxxxxx turn 030." So now I'm at about 100 feet and making a turn across a runway in wake turbulence and broadside to the wind. The tower later complimented me on handling the turn and the turbulence. I was able to hold on to the seat without my seatbelt (large pucker factor) as I was tossed all over just above the building tops. The rest of the flight was uneventful. Oh yeah, the ATIS was calling for winds at 110 at 8 so even my pre-take-off mental position was messed up.

 

[Mistake Not...]

One of the few downsides of operating out of HSV. But uniformly great controllers. Well, ever since they apparently lost Mr Grumpy back in '13.

 

[Velocity173]

Most likely there wasn't a wake turbulence issue with the RJ unless you were going off an intersection. Then 3 minutes waiverable.

I imagine their plan was to hold you after the arriving military aircraft though. I little nudge to let them know you're ready and can get out before the arrival is all it takes...sometimes.

 

[cgrab]

Yeah, I was departing from W3 (of 9) and waved about 90 seconds. I had a couple of 60+ degree bank angles in the turn. When he said to make a downwind departure I replied that I would stay this course until I had a little more altitude and he said that would be a good idea.