Jim Burns wrote:
Other than runway length concerns, is there a reason why this technique
would not be preferable to abruptly rotating at the published rotation
speed?

Particularly with low wing airplanes, this can produce a wheelbarrowing
effect where your mains get light, and even lift off, but you are holding
the nosewheel on the ground. Not good for the nose gear and any crosswind
gust could produce some rather interesting and dangerous effects.


I think you missread what he wrote: not rotating is a far cry from holding it
down. When I accelerate in a Cherokee, I hold the yoke neutral until I'm ready
to fly, then rotate and fly off immediately. In a Cessna, I ease the yoke back
once I'm at or beyond stall speed and let it fly off when it's ready.... rolling
on the mains only until it is.

I would agree holding it down is a poor practice.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE