Takeoff

Every flight follows a typical profile:

1. Preflight -This portion of the flight starts on the ground and includes flight checks, push-back from the gate and taxi to the runway.

2. Takeoff - The pilot powers up the aircraft and speeds down the runway.

3. Departure - The plane lifts off the ground and climbs to a cruising altitude.

4. En route - The aircraft travels through one or more center airspaces and nears the destination airport.

5. Descent - The pilot descends and maneuvers the aircraft to the destination airport.

6. Approach - The pilot aligns the aircraft with the designated landing runway.

7. Landing - The aircraft lands on the designated runway, taxis to the destination gate and parks at the terminal.

The aircraft shall land and take off on runways only instructed by air traffic control. It shall have a two-way radio capable of communicating with air traffic control.

Landings or takeoffs shall be made only at a safe distance from buildings and other aircraft. Takeoffs and landings over building area and parking lot in the vicinity of the administration building are prohibited.

Landings or takeoffs shall not be permitted on the taxiways unless permission is granted by air traffic control.

As the flight has been approved, the air traffic controller gives clearance to the pilot and passes the strip to the ground controller in the tower.

The ground controller is responsible for all ground traffic, which includes aircraft taxiing from the gates to takeoff runways and from landing runways to the gates. When the ground controller determines that it is safe, he or she directs the pilot to push the plane back from the gate (airline personnel operate the tugs that actually push the aircraft back and direct the plane out of the gate area). As the plane taxis to the runway, the ground controller watches all of the airport's taxiways and uses ground radar to track all of the aircraft (especially useful in bad weather), ensuring that the plane does not cross an active runway or interfere with ground vehicles. The ground controller talks with the pilot by radio and gives him instructions, such as which way to taxi and which runway to go to for takeoff. Once the plane reaches the designated takeoff runway, the ground controller passes the strip to the local controller.

The local controller in the tower watches the skies above the airfield and uses surface radar to track aircraft. He or she is responsible for maintaining safe distances between planes as they take off. The local controller gives the pilot final clearance for takeoff when it is deemed safe, and provides the new radio frequency for the departure controller. Once clearance is given, the pilot must decide if it is safe to take off. If it is safe, he accelerates the plane down the runway.