When you engage TO/TO, how many degrees does the FD pitch up?

• A. 5-10 Degrees
• B. 11-18 Degrees
• C. 20-25 Degrees
• D. 0 Degrees

Answer: (B)

When TO/TA (Takeoff/Go-Around) is engaged, the flight director guides you onto the climb path by commanding a nose-up attitude that establishes the required takeoff performance. For the CRJ-550, the FD’s pitch guidance in this mode is typically in the 11 to 18 degrees range. This amount of pitch gives you a positive climb right after liftoff while keeping you within safe margins for stall protection and performance limits. A smaller pitch like 0 degrees wouldn’t establish a climb, while 5–10 degrees is usually not enough to achieve the necessary climb gradient, and 20–25 degrees would be an overly steep, nonstandard takeoff attitude. Actual attitude can vary with weight, flap setting, and wind, but the intended TO/GA guidance sits in that 11–18 degree band.