sacbluesman
Pre-takeoff checklist
So the other day I had an interesting experience and just looking for some feedback or opinions.
I was departing in a C172 from my home airport with a 3200ft runway. It was early morning and the temp was about 40+/- and winds were fairly calm. I got my engine start done and got the minute weather. Winds were reported from the N directly down the runway at 5kts but the sock was limp. My route of flight was to the S/W so I made the decision to depart on the downwind runway. Now, I'm familiar that there is a 10% increase in t/o distance for each 2kt tailwind. I had full fuel and 1 pax. I did a short field t/o just for an extra margin of safety and noticed no extra runway used up.
I got back from my x/c about 5 hours later and one of the CFIs came up to me and asks, you know you departed downwind? Then proceded to lecture me about it and also said the chief CFI had a fit and was ****ed.
This has been eating at me for a while now because 1, I'm now second guessing my decision making abilities and 2, I felt the CFI made it a point to come across as the "instructors" know all and I don't know enough. Perhaps it was his delivery of the information but nonetheless it seemed condescending.
So here is my position. I have less than 300 hours however I still fly like a freshly minted pilot in the sense that I double check and triple check everything before I go. I got my weather but also looked at the sock to verify the info as well as noted the winds while walking around on the ramp. I know the airplanes performance capabilites as well as my personal limits.
In hindsight, I suppose I should have done a textbook departure but I felt that I knew why I was doing what I was doing and there was never any doubt of safety.
Any thoughts or opinions?
I was departing in a C172 from my home airport with a 3200ft runway. It was early morning and the temp was about 40+/- and winds were fairly calm. I got my engine start done and got the minute weather. Winds were reported from the N directly down the runway at 5kts but the sock was limp. My route of flight was to the S/W so I made the decision to depart on the downwind runway. Now, I'm familiar that there is a 10% increase in t/o distance for each 2kt tailwind. I had full fuel and 1 pax. I did a short field t/o just for an extra margin of safety and noticed no extra runway used up.
I got back from my x/c about 5 hours later and one of the CFIs came up to me and asks, you know you departed downwind? Then proceded to lecture me about it and also said the chief CFI had a fit and was ****ed.
This has been eating at me for a while now because 1, I'm now second guessing my decision making abilities and 2, I felt the CFI made it a point to come across as the "instructors" know all and I don't know enough. Perhaps it was his delivery of the information but nonetheless it seemed condescending.
So here is my position. I have less than 300 hours however I still fly like a freshly minted pilot in the sense that I double check and triple check everything before I go. I got my weather but also looked at the sock to verify the info as well as noted the winds while walking around on the ramp. I know the airplanes performance capabilites as well as my personal limits.
In hindsight, I suppose I should have done a textbook departure but I felt that I knew why I was doing what I was doing and there was never any doubt of safety.
Any thoughts or opinions?