Notes on Aircraft Performance and Runway Characteristics

Introduction

• Understanding aircraft performance is crucial for safe operations in and out of airports.
• Performance knowledge helps determine feasible takeoff and landing under various conditions.

Why Study Performance?

• Knowing aircraft behavior in different situations is essential to prevent runway overruns.
• Performance ensures compliance with safety standards and regulations.

Aircraft Classification

• Class A: Multi-engine jet aircraft and turboprops with >10 seats or >5700 kg.
• Class B: Smaller turboprops and piston aircraft with ≤9 seats and ≤5700 kg.
• Class C: Large piston-powered aircraft (rarely used today).

Performance Standards

• CS25: Certification specifications for Class A aircraft.
• CS23: Certification specifications for Class B aircraft.

Types of Performance Data

• Measured Performance: Data from flight tests by test pilots.
• Gross Performance: Average performance by typical pilot and aircraft fleet.
• Net Performance: Gross performance adjusted with a safety factor for reliability.

Safety Factor

• Applied to gross performance to account for variability and ensure safety.
• Net performance is used for determining takeoff and landing capabilities.

Runway Dimensions and Characteristics

• Threshold: Starting point of usable runway, often marked by a white line.
• Displaced Threshold: Indicates parts of the runway that are not usable for taxi or landing.
• Stopway: Area beyond the runway for emergency stops during rejected takeoffs.
• Runway Numbering: Based on magnetic direction, rounded and simplified.

Runway Performance Measures

• TORA (Takeoff Run Available): Length of runway available for a safe takeoff.
• TODA (Takeoff Distance Available): TORA plus clearway, ensuring safe climb.
• ASDA (Accelerate Stop Distance Available): TORA plus stopway for emergency stops.

Clearway

• Area beyond TORA free of obstacles; slopes up at 0.75 degrees.
• Used to calculate safe takeoff distance, limited to 1.5 times TORA.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding runway characteristics and performance data is crucial for safe aircraft operations.
• Performance calculations need to consider measured, gross, and net values for accurate assessments.
• Runway specifications (TORA, TODA, ASDA) help plan safe takeoffs and landings.