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There you are, just starting to roll from the “hold short” line onto the active runway to begin the takeoff for which you have just been cleared. Are you ready for takeoff?
“Of course I am, Tom! I’ve completed the proper checklists and given a briefing to myself since I am flying single pilot today. I am set to go!” Yes, of course you are “ready to commit aviation.” Enjoy a safe flight!
The rather “canned” briefing that most of us have learned quite well is almost always addressing an engine abnormality – failure, fire, other problem – and how we would react to that depending on the indicated airspeed. This is well and good and what is expected. Is it sufficient? In 95% of the cases, I think it is. The intent of this article is to jog your memory on some of the other abnormalities that can take place and to review some ideas of the optimal way of handling them.
At Takeoff
Window Opening: In the King Air, the only windows that open are the triangular-shaped “DV” (Direct Vision) windows located on each side of the cockpit just in front
of the “D-shaped” window beside each pilot. The latch that secures these windows closed is usually quite easy to manipulate and rarely fails to operate properly. Hence, the possibility of a window opening in a King Air on the takeoff roll is remote. But if it does indeed happen? Don’t do anything in a rushed manner but as workload permits close and latch it properly. A little extra noise is the only difference this malfunction causes.
Do you realize that in flight, cabin air exits this opening but does not enter? The acceleration of the free airstream around the corner of the windshield creates an area of lower pressure outside of the cockpit in that location. Opening this window is listed in some POH’s as a way to help eliminate smoke after dumping the pressurization.
Have you ever tried to open the DV window in cruise while pressurized? Try all you want, but you won’t be able to do it. That triangular-shaped window is roughly 10 inches per side. If it were a square and not a triangle,
JANUARY 2024
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 21