Can the 50/70 Rule Save Your Takeoffs? | Takeoff Performance Calculations

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When you’re on a short runway, how do you know if you’re accelerating fast enough to take off safely? Many pilots use a popular rule of thumb called the 50/70 Rule — if you're not at 70% of your takeoff speed by the halfway point, abort the takeoff. But where does this rule come from, and is it truly safe to rely on?

In this video, we break down:
🧮 The physics behind the 50/70 rule
📏 Why hitting 70% Vr at the halfway point means you’ll use the ENTIRE runway
⚠️ Why this rule leaves zero margin for error or obstacle clearance
✅ How to combine POH performance numbers with the 50/70 rule for safer short-field takeoffs
📍 A real-world example from Palmyra, PA to see the rule in action

Understand the math, the margins, and the limitations so you can make better go/no-go decisions on short runways.