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In addition to normal takeoffs, common errors in the performance of short field takeoffs are: 

• Deciding to do a questionable short fi eld takeoff when the WSC aircraft can be packed up and driven away. 

• Failure to adequately determine the best path with the longest run and shortest obstacle. 

• Failure to utilize all available runway/takeoff area. 

• Failure to wait for the best atmospheric conditions of density altitude and wind direction. 

• Failure to reduce all possible weight from the WSC aircraft. 

• Failure to have the WSC aircraft properly trimmed prior to takeoff. 

• Premature lift-off resulting in high drag. 

• Holding the WSC aircraft on the ground unnecessarily. 

• Inadequate rotation resulting in excessive speed after lift-off. 

• Inability to attain/maintain best V$_{X}$ airspeed. 

• Fixation on the airspeed indicator during initial climb. 

##  Soft/Rough Field Takeoff and Climb 

Takeoffs and climbs from soft fields require the use of operational techniques for getting the WSC aircraft airborne as quickly as possible to eliminate the drag caused by tall grass, soft sand, mud, and snow, and may or may not require climbing over an obstacle. The technique makes judicious 

use of ground effect and requires a feel for the WSC aircraft and fine control touch. These same techniques are also useful on a rough field where it is advisable to get the aircraft off the ground as soon as possible to avoid damaging the landing gear. 

Soft surfaces or long, wet grass usually reduce the aircraft’s acceleration during the takeoff roll so much that adequate takeoff speed might not be attained if normal takeoff techniques were employed. 

It should be emphasized that the WSC aircraft is different from most aircraft. The high wing creates a high center of gravity in which the front wheel can bog down in soft fi elds and flip the WSC aircraft forward. The propeller in the back pushing down on the front wheel also contributes to this unique situation. This is a limitation for WSC aircraft that should not be ignored. WSC aircraft that land in soft fields or sand may not be able to take off. There is a wide variation of manufacturer designs with the least preferable being a skinny, high pressure, highly loaded front tire. WSC aircraft with large wide tires that can be operated at low pressure are designed for operation in soft and rough fi elds. [Figures 7-11 through  7-13] 

Correct takeoff procedure for soft fields and rough fi elds is quite different from that appropriate for short fields with fi rm, smooth surfaces. To minimize the hazards associated with takeoffs from soft or rough fields, support of the aircraft’s weight must be transferred as rapidly as possible from the wheels to the wings as the takeoff roll proceeds. Establishing and maintaining a relatively high angle of attack with a nose- high pitch attitude as early as possible achieves this. 

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