Us glider pilots practice rope breaks from 200'. I was pretty surprised the first time my instructor pulled the release at exactly 200' altitude just off the end of the runway and over a 50' tree line. He told me that we were going to do simulated rope breaks and I expected him to just say the rope broke and expect me to recite what I would do, wrong! Anyway, the point is that in gliders we can normally turn back at about 150' or so and we actually practice at 200'.
There are a few things we learn that will help power pilots in the same situation. First is have a plan before you take off. Know what altitude you will go straight and when you will do a 180, or a 90 or something if you can do it at your airport. Before takeoff we check the windsock and see which direction the crosswind is coming from so we know what direction we will turn if we need to. You want to turn into the cross wind if there is one. That will blow you closer to the centerline of the runway during the turn. If you turn the other way you will be blown further away from the runway and will have to do something like a 200 degree turn to get back to the runway then turn again to line up when you get there. Next thing is to say straight ahead, straight ahead just after taking off and then state your decision height out loud when you reach it. That helps throw the mental switch so when you do have a problem you don't have to stop and think and check the altimiter. You have already done that. Brian Kraut Engineering Alternatives, Inc. www.engalt.com
