retracted immediately so that any wet snow or slush to be  air-dried. In the event an obstacle must be cleared after a  soft-field takeoff, the pilot should perform the climb-out at  V$_{X}$ until the obstacle has been cleared. The pilot should then  adjust the pitch attitude to V$_{Y}$ and retract the gear and flaps.  The power can then be reduced to the normal climb setting.  The pilot may then reduce power to normal climb setting. As the airplane is aligned with the takeoff path, the pilot  should apply takeoff power smoothly and as rapidly as the  powerplant can accept without faltering. As the airplane  accelerates, the pilot should apply enough back-elevator  pressure to establish a positive AOA and to reduce the weight  supported by the nose-wheel.  When the airplane is held at a nose-high attitude throughout  the takeoff run, the wings increasingly relieve the wheels of  the airplane’s weight as speed increases and lift develops,  thereby minimizing the drag caused by surface irregularities  or adhesion. If this attitude is accurately maintained, the  airplane virtually flies itself off the ground, becoming  airborne but at an airspeed slower than a safe climb speed  because of ground effect.  [Figure 5-10] Common errors in the performance of soft/rough field takeoff  and climbs are: After the airplane becomes airborne, the pilot should gently  lower the nose with the wheels clear of the surface to allow  the airplane to accelerate to V$_{Y}$, or V$_{X}$ if obstacles must be  cleared. Immediately after the airplane becomes airborne  and while it accelerates, the pilot should be aware that, while  transitioning out of the ground effect area, the airplane will  have a tendency to settle back onto the surface. An attempt  to climb prematurely or too steeply may cause the airplane  to settle back to the surface as a result of the loss of ground  effect. During the transition out of the ground effect area, the  pilot should not attempt to climb out of ground effect before  reaching the sufficient climb airspeed, as this may result in the  airplane being unable to climb further, even with full power  applied. Therefore, it is essential that the airplane remain  in ground effect until at least V$_{X}$ is reached. This requires  a good understanding of the control pressures, aircraft  responses, visual clues, and acceleration characteristics of  that particular airplane.  Emergency or abnormal situations can occur during a takeoff  that require a pilot to reject the takeoff while still on the  runway. Circumstances such as a malfunctioning powerplant,  inadequate acceleration, runway incursion, or air traffic  conflict may be reasons for a rejected takeoff. Prior to takeoff, the pilot should identify a point along the  runway at which the airplane should be airborne. If that  After a positive rate of climb is established, and the airplane  has accelerated to V$_{Y}$, the pilot should retract the landing gear  and flaps, if equipped. If departing from an airstrip with wet  snow or slush on the takeoff surface, the gear should not be  Figure 5-10.  Soft-field takeoff. 5-12 Accelerate Raise nosewheel  as soon as possible Lift off Level off in ground effect Accelerate in ground  effect to V$_{X}$ or V$_{Y}$ Soft-field Takeoff Initial Climb Rejected Takeoff/Engine Failure Lift-Off Takeoff Roll • Failure to review AFM/POH and performance charts  prior to takeoff. • Failure to adequately clear the area. • Insufficient back-elevator pressure during initial  takeoff roll resulting in inadequate AOA. • Failure to cross-check engine instruments for  indications of proper operation after applying power. • Poor directional control. • Climbing too high after lift-off and not leveling off  low enough to maintain ground effect altitude. • Abrupt and/or excessive elevator control while  attempting to level off and accelerate after liftoff. • Allowing the airplane to “mush” or settle resulting in  an inadvertent touchdown after lift-off. • Attempting to climb out of ground effect area before  attaining sufficient climb speed. • Failure to anticipate an increase in pitch attitude as  the airplane climbs out of ground effect.