What minimum altitude should be reached before initiating a turn following takeoff?

The minimum altitude to reach before initiating a turn following takeoff is critical for safety and performance during flight. This altitude ensures that the aircraft has sufficient clearance from terrain and obstacles in the vicinity of the airport and allows for a stable climb after takeoff.

Reaching 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) before making a turn provides additional safety margin to avoid potential ground impact in case of an engine failure or other flight issues shortly after takeoff. This is also in alignment with standard operating procedures that aim to ensure stable climb performance and maintain aircraft control while transitioning to the desired flight path.

In practice, turning before reaching this altitude may introduce risks such as reduced climb performance, potential stall situations, and increased workload for the pilot during critical phases of flight. Hence, the established altitude of 400 feet AGL serves as a guideline for improving safety and operational efficiency after takeoff.