Hi everyone, first post here.

Looks like the best aviation forum around.

I am fortunate enough to have the oportunity to be chief pilot for a start up part 135 single pilot on demand operation that one of my former students is beginning. We just purchased a C421B 1975. It has a Robertson STOL kit w/ Fowler Flaps.

My question is in regard to takeoff safety in using the approved flaps of 10 degrees for takeoff.

First off the supplament says flaps 10 VMC is 80 KIAS vs. 87 KIAS w/o flaps.

Short field takeoff is rotate at 80 accelerate to 87 at 50' "yikes!"

Normal takeoff from the AFM is rotate at 103 (takeoff safety speed) climb at VYSE 108.

The owner who trained me (on the way from NH to CA) said he always use flaps 10 but higher speeds vr at 90 KIAS and initial climb at 100 KIAS.

The distances are 60% shorter doing it the short field way and doing it the old owners way maybe about 80% shorter than Normal.

I consider it a death sentance if you loose and engine doing this via the short field way. I am good but not nearly as good and current as the test pilot!

The hybrid takeoff seems like the way to go however the disadvantage is that there may be one more item to do when the engine quits after liftoff and that is flaps up. Also as the flaps come up there would be a slight settling as the airplane accelerated to 103 to 108. This may negate the advantage gained from shorter takeoff and 50' distances.

Specifically my question is would I get a better Accelerate go to 50' distance w/ flaps 10 or no flaps? SEROC is probably less w/ flaps but I wonder if angle of climb would be better.

The Robertson STOL suppliment does not give this data. Single engine Climb data is for flaps up only but the supplimented checklist says leave flaps 10 until all obstacles cleared (engine out after takeoff).

I am looking for opinions on the best takeoff procedure taking controllability and performance in to account.

Thank you all