Takeoff

An F/A-18 Hornet takes off from the USS Kitty Hawk.

Takeoff is the part of flight in which an aircraft goes from moving along the ground (taxiing) to flying in the air, usually on a runway.

Conventional fixed-wing aircraft must roll down a runway to gain speed and generate lift for takeoff.

Examples

For balloons, helicopters and some special aircraft (such as the Harrier), no runway is needed. Takeoff is the opposite of landing.