I generally extend flaps as I approach the holding point, stops the wind
grabbing you and better visibility all round (well for the Cessna)

As for retracting, I use them for a drag advantage to slow the aircraft
down and retract when I have full nosewheel steering control of the
aircraft!

This is real world, as for simulator.. just throw them down during the
taxy! Generally, airline drivers have flaps set prior to taxy after
pushback!


Jad


Mxsmanic wrote:
At what point does one normally set flaps before take-off? I've been
doing it only when aligning with the runway, on the theory that
extending flaps prior to that would just make me more vulnerable to
wind while on the taxiway or at the gate. Similarly, I retract the
flaps completely as soon as I'm completely on the runway for landing,
so that the wind doesn't push me around. Is this the correct way to
do it?