During Running Takeoff, increase the collective to what range of percent torque?

• A. Thirty Percent to Fifty Percent
• B. Twenty Percent to Forty Percent
• C. Forty Percent to Sixty Percent
• D. Twenty-Five Percent to Forty-Five Percent

Answer: (A)

During a running takeoff you’re transitioning from rolling on the ground to lifting off, so you need enough rotor lift to get airborne without pushing the engine and drivetrain toward their limits. The collective should be set to a moderate, mid-range level of torque—that is, not too low to risk an underpowered, sluggish liftoff and not so high that you load the engine or risk rapid changes in rotor speed. This mid-range position gives you reliable lift, a stable rotor RPM, and headroom to respond to changes in weight, density altitude, or wind as you accelerate and transition to a climb.

If you push torque too low, you won’t generate enough lift for a smooth takeoff. If you push torque too high, you increase engine and drivetrain strain and can encounter less controllable response, making the takeoff less safe. By holding a mid-range torque during the initial phase, you establish a safe, controllable transition from ground roll to flight, which is why this range is the recommended target.