“Teaching the Science, Inspiring the Art, Producing Aviation Candidates!”

Aircraft PerformanceAircraft PerformanceFlying Further Than Any Other

Aircraft in History

Written for the Notre Dame Pilot Initiative By the Pilots of the University of Notre Dame

26,389.3 miles

RoadmapRoadmapPOHDensity AltitudeTakeoff DistanceCruise Performance, Power & Fuel

BurnLanding DistanceCrosswinds

Pilot’s Operating Handbook Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)(POH)

Also known as Approved Flight Manual (AFM) Organized into Sections

General Limitations Emergency Procedures Normal Procedures Performance Weight & Balance Airplane & Systems Description Handling, Service, & Maintenance Supplements

Frequent TermsFrequent TermsMaximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)

Maximum gross weight at which the airplane is permitted to takeoff

Maneuvering SpeedMaximum speed for maneuvers at which

full application of the primary flight controls cannot overstress the airframe

Maneuvering SpeedManeuvering Speed

VA = 113 kts

Density Altitude RevisitedDensity Altitude RevisitedDensity Altitude is pressure altitude

corrected for nonstandard temperatureVaries directly with temperature and

humidityVaries indirectly with pressure

It is a number which tells you what the airplane (wings and engine) feels

Density AltitudeDensity Altitude

Density Altitude ChartDensity Altitude Chart

Takeoff DistanceTakeoff DistanceTwo Varieties

Ground Roll Distance to Clear 50 ft obstacle

Also known as Takeoff Distance Distance for aircraft to clear a 50-foot obstacle after a

standing start at maximum takeoff powerFactors

↑ Weight = ↑ Distance (and speed) ↑ Air Density = ↓ Distance ↑ Headwind = ↓ Distance ↑ Slope = ↑ Ground Roll ↑ Flaps = ↓ Ground Roll ↑ Friction = ↑ Ground Roll

Takeoff Distance

Cessna 172R

0 deg Takeoff Perf0 deg Takeoff Perf

25 deg Takeoff Perf25 deg Takeoff Perf

Climb PerformanceClimb Performance

Vx=Best Angle of ClimbGain maximum altitude in shortest

distanceVY=Best Rate of Climb

Gain maximum altitude in shortest timeCruise Climb

Clim

b Perform

anceC

essna 172R

Cruise FlightCruise FlightAn airplane is more efficient at altitude

Wings Engines

Weather is generally confined to the troposphere so you can fly over it

Higher gives more options in case of emergencies

Reserves Day VFR: 30 minutes at normal cruising speed Night VFR: 45 minutes at normal cruising

speed

Cruise

Performance

Cessna 172R

Cruise

Performance

Cessna 172R

Engine PerformanceEngine Performance

Performance CruisePerformance Cruise

VG = VL/D = 65 kts

Economy CruiseEconomy Cruise

VS = 55 kts

Endurance GraphEndurance Graph

Landing DistancesLanding Distances Two Varieties

Ground Roll Distance over a 50 foot obstacle

Also known as Takeoff Distance Distance for aircraft to clear a 50-foot obstacle after a standing

start at maximum takeoff power Factors

↑ Weight = ↑ Distance (and speed) ↑ Air Density = ↓ Distance ↑ Headwind = ↓ Distance ↑ Slope = ↓ Ground Roll ↑ Flaps = ↓ Distance ↑ Friction = ↓ Ground Roll

Maximum performance landings are always accomplished with full flaps Stiff crosswinds sometimes dictate the use of partial flaps

Landing Distance

Cessna 172R

40 deg Landing Perf40 deg Landing Perf

Landing Distance

Boeing 727

CrosswindsCrosswindsMaximum Demonstrated Crosswind

Component is the maximum crosswind that existed during FAA certificationOften is not close to real maximum

capability of aircraftWeak link is generally lack of rudder

authority (not enough deflection)Often VX-Wind = 0.3 VS0

Crosswind ChartCrosswind Chart

30 knot wind,30 knot wind,

30 deg off of 30 deg off of the nose the nose

= 26 knot = 26 knot headwind headwind

= 15 knot = 15 knot crosswindcrosswind