Departure
After lift-off comes the initial climb / departure — from the ground to cruise altitude.
Initial climb
- Speed Vy (best rate of climb): most altitude per time, standard for cruise climb.
- Speed Vx (best angle of climb): most altitude per distance — only if obstacles, as engine runs hotter.
- Maintain runway heading to at least 500 ft AGL (safety minimum; local variations per AIP).
- Pattern altitude (typ. 1000 ft AAL at uncontrolled fields).
After take-off check (typ. 500 ft AGL)
- Flaps up (if take-off flaps were set).
- Carb heat OFF (if applied for take-off, per POH).
- Mixture set for cruise (above 3000 ft DA, lean).
- Engine gauges verified.
- Fuel pump OFF (if electric and only needed for start).
- Boost pump OFF (POH).
Leaving the pattern
Uncontrolled field: per VFR rules (in EU SERA, in DE NfL):
- Straight ahead to end of runway.
- Then left turn to crosswind, continue to downwind (or straight out if cross-country).
- Standard left-hand pattern is mandated in EU (unless AIP specifies otherwise).
Controlled field:
- Follow ATC clearance ("Cleared for take-off runway 26, after take-off climb runway heading to 2000 ft, then turn right").
- Switch to departure frequency when handed off by tower.
- Squawk code as assigned.
CTR / TMA entry
- Frequency called in good time (before entry).
- Position report: "Munich Departure, DEMRA, Cessna 172 Whiskey, abeam VRP Northwest, level 2500 ft, requesting clearance into TMA Class C."
- Follow ATC instructions strictly.
Climb performance
- Climb rate: from POH (e.g. C172 typ. 700 fpm at Vy, MTOM, ISA standard).
- Altitude dependence: climb rate decreases with altitude (density). Noticeable above 5000 ft pressure altitude.
- Engine cooling: during prolonged climb, lean mixture or interrupt climb for cooling.
Climb to cruise altitude
- Altimeter change from QNH to standard (1013) when passing the transition altitude (in DE 5000 ft AMSL, regional variation).
- Cruising level per SERA.5005 (b): magnetic track in NM layers:
- 0°–179° (eastern directions): odd thousand ft + 500 (5500, 7500, 9500 …) for VFR.
- 180°–359° (western): even thousand ft + 500 (4500, 6500, 8500 …).
- Stabilise altitude: reduce power to cruise setting, set trim.
Frequency-change routine
- Current frequency: "Munich Tower, DEMRA, leaving frequency, switching to Munich Information 124.45."
- New frequency: "Munich Information, DEMRA, Cessna 172 Whiskey, request flight information service."