diff --git a/ArduPlane/Parameters.cpp b/ArduPlane/Parameters.cpp
index 8860f0af00..5d2da97c1b 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/Parameters.cpp
+++ b/ArduPlane/Parameters.cpp
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ const AP_Param::Info Plane::var_info[] = {
 
     // @Param: TKOFF_ROTATE_SPD
     // @DisplayName: Takeoff rotate speed
-    // @Description: This parameter sets the airspeed at which the aircraft will "rotate", setting climb pitch specified in the mission. If TKOFF_ROTATE_SPD is zero then the climb pitch will be used as soon as takeoff is started. For hand launch and catapult launches a TKOFF_ROTATE_SPD of zero should be set. For all ground launches TKOFF_ROTATE_SPD should be set above the stall speed, usually by about 10 to 30 percent
+    // @Description: This parameter sets the airspeed at which the aircraft will "rotate", setting climb pitch specified in the mission. If TKOFF_ROTATE_SPD is zero then the climb pitch will be used as soon as takeoff is started. For hand launch and catapult launches a TKOFF_ROTATE_SPD of zero should be set. For all ground launches TKOFF_ROTATE_SPD should be set above the stall speed, usually by about 10 to 30 percent. During the run, use TKOFF_GND_PITCH to keep the aircraft on the runway while below this airspeed.
     // @Units: m/s
     // @Range: 0 30
     // @Increment: 0.1
diff --git a/ArduPlane/mode.h b/ArduPlane/mode.h
index 1f5e4f3774..ea27ba0579 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/mode.h
+++ b/ArduPlane/mode.h
@@ -737,6 +737,8 @@ public:
     // var_info for holding parameter information
     static const struct AP_Param::GroupInfo var_info[];
 
+    AP_Float ground_pitch;
+
 protected:
     AP_Int16 target_alt;
     AP_Int16 target_dist;
diff --git a/ArduPlane/mode_takeoff.cpp b/ArduPlane/mode_takeoff.cpp
index caeb0a73da..8e444540c6 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/mode_takeoff.cpp
+++ b/ArduPlane/mode_takeoff.cpp
@@ -41,6 +41,15 @@ const AP_Param::GroupInfo ModeTakeoff::var_info[] = {
     // @User: Standard
     AP_GROUPINFO("DIST", 4, ModeTakeoff, target_dist, 200),
     
+    // @Param: GND_PITCH
+    // @DisplayName: Takeoff run pitch demand
+    // @Description: Degrees of pitch angle demanded during the takeoff run before speed reaches TKOFF_ROTATE_SPD. For taildraggers set to 3-point ground pitch angle and use TKOFF_TDRAG_ELEV to prevent nose tipover. For nose-wheel steer aircraft set to the ground pitch angle and if a reduction in nose-wheel load is required as speed rises, use a positive offset in TKOFF_GND_PITCH of up to 5 degrees above the angle on ground, starting at the mesured pitch angle and incrementing in 1 degree steps whilst checking for premature rotation and takeoff with each increment. To increase nose-wheel load, use a negative TKOFF_TDRAG_ELEV and refer to notes on TKOFF_TDRAG_ELEV before making adjustments.
+    // @Units: deg
+    // @Range: -5.0 10.0
+    // @Increment: 0.1
+    // @User: Standard
+    AP_GROUPINFO("GND_PITCH", 5, ModeTakeoff, ground_pitch, 5),
+
     AP_GROUPEND
 };
 
diff --git a/ArduPlane/takeoff.cpp b/ArduPlane/takeoff.cpp
index 66e4a7a0f2..4514ff4881 100644
--- a/ArduPlane/takeoff.cpp
+++ b/ArduPlane/takeoff.cpp
@@ -155,11 +155,8 @@ void Plane::takeoff_calc_roll(void)
 void Plane::takeoff_calc_pitch(void)
 {
     if (auto_state.highest_airspeed < g.takeoff_rotate_speed) {
-        // we have not reached rotate speed, use a target pitch of 5
-        // degrees. This should be enough to get the tail off the
-        // ground, while making it unlikely that overshoot in the
-        // pitch controller will cause a prop strike
-        nav_pitch_cd = 500;
+        // we have not reached rotate speed, use the specified takeoff target pitch angle
+        nav_pitch_cd = int32_t(100.0f * mode_takeoff.ground_pitch);
         return;
     }