1. Lecture 3: Take-off Performance
AIRCRAFT WEIGHT & PERFORMANCE

2. Take-Off
The take off part of a flight is the distance from the brake release point to the point at which the aircraft reaches a defined height over the surface (35ft).
During the take off roll, lift is created on the wings to overcome the aircraft weight.
This is done by forward acceleration of the aircraft produced by greater thrust force then drag.

3. Take-Off

4. Forces Acting On Aircraft During Take Off
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ACFT 6
Factors TAKE OFF
Forces Acting On Aircraft During Take Off
Edition 1.1

5. The take off distance required depends on the interaction of forces:
The thrust varies during take off, in general it decreases as aircraft speeds up.
The total drag of the aircraft during take off results from aerodynamic drag and wheel drag. As the aircraft speeds up the aerodynamic drag will increase. The wheel drag depends on the load and the runway surface resistance. But as the aircraft speeds up the lift force increases, which reduces the load on the wheels and therefore reduces the wheel drag (eventually to zero).
The lift force increases, as aircraft speeds up.
The aircraft weight remains constant.

6. Take-Off Performance
The more powerful the engine and the lighter the aircraft, the quickly the aircraft will accelerate and the shorter the take-off distance will be.
Take-off Distance is the total length of the take-off run (or take-off roll) and the initial climb distance to 35ft.
Take-off should not be attempted if the take-off distance available is less than the take-off distance required.

7. 5. Aircraft Configurations b)Airframe Contamination
Actually, the factors that affect lift, weight, thrust and drag forces are the factors that affect aircraft performance during take off.
Factors Affecting
Take-off Performance
1. Aircraft’s Weight
2. Air Density
3. Wind
4. Runway Conditions
5. Aircraft Configurations
a) Flap Setting
b)Airframe Contamination

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Factors TAKE OFF
1. Aircraft Weight
↑ Weight = ↑ Take-Off Distance (and speed)
Edition 1.1

9. 1. Aircraft Weight
Weight limitations (MTOW) are set to ensure adequate margins of strength and performance during take-off.
When loading the aircraft care must be taken not to exceed the limits given.
The greater the weight, the greater the lift force is required to overcome the weight, therefore greater speed is necessary for take off (lift formula).

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Factors TAKE OFF
2. AIR DENSITY
↑ Air Density = ↓ Distance
The greater the air density, the shorter the take-off distance required.
Air density is mass of air per volume of air.
Air density is influenced by temperature, humidity, airfield elevation & atmospheric pressure
Lower the temperature, higher the air density.
Lower the humidity, higher the air density.
Lower the airfield elevation, higher the atmospheric pressure, thus higher the air density.
Air density
Air density affects the thrust, lift and drag forces in the following way:
low air density gives reduced thrust created by the engines;
low air density requires higher take of speed. The lift is proportional to the air density (lift formula). So, higher speed is required to produce same lift when the air density is low;
low air density gives lower aerodynamic drag. However, the effect on the lift and thrust is more dominant since the aerodynamic drag is relatively small;
In general low density requires longer take off distance.
Air density is determined by the pressure (elevation), temperature and humidity:
low atmospheric pressure gives low air density;
higher the aerodrome is elevated, lower the atmospheric pressure hence lower the air density;
higher the temperature, lower the air density;
higher the humidity, lower the air density.
Temperature
The efficiency of the jet engine depends on the temperature of the air surrounding it. The higher the air temperature, the less thrust can be produced by the engine. Because of that the difference between the thrust and the drag during take off is smaller. Therefore the rate of acceleration is smaller and the aircraft will need a longer take off distance.
In addition, a change in temperature affects the air density.
Edition 1.1

11. 2. AIR DENSITY
As air density is reduced (for example, with increasing altitude), take-off distance begins to increase quickly.
In aircraft performance the term Density Altitude is used.
Density Altitude is the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) altitude with the same density as the existing pressure and temperature.

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Factors TAKE OFF
3. WIND
The distance required for take off depends on the ground speed.
While the lift and the drag during take off depend on air speed.
↑ Headwind = ↓ Distance
Edition 1.1

13. 3. WIND
Headwind is wind which is blowing in the opposite direction of the aircraft movement.
Tailwind is wind which is blowing in the parallel direction of the aircraft movement.
A headwind reduces the ground speed at a required take off air speed and reduces the take off distance.
A tailwind increases the ground speed thus increases the take off distance.
Crosswind (wind from left or right of the aircraft) component has no effect on the take off distance.

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Factors TAKE OFF
4. RUNWAY CONDITIONS
Runway slope affects the rate of acceleration
↑ Slope = ↑ Take-Off Roll
Runway surface conditions affect the wheel drag
Standing water
Snow
Slush
↑ Friction = ↑ Take-Off Roll
Edition 1.1

15. 4. RUNWAY CONDITIONS
Any runway slope (a surface which one side is at a higher level than another) will affect take-off performance.
A down slope allows the aircraft the aircraft to accelerate more quickly thus reducing the take off distance required.
An up slope reduces the accelerating force thus increasing the take off distance.
The runway surface condition has effect on the wheel drag. If the runway is contaminated by snow, slush or standing water, the wheel drag will be greater. Thus the accelerating force decreases and the take off distance required increases.

16. 5. Aircraft Configurations
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ACFT 6
Factors TAKE OFF
5. Aircraft Configurations
a) Flap Setting
↑ Flaps = ↓ Take-off Roll
Edition 1.1

17. a) Flap Setting Flap setting has an affect on the aerodynamic drag.
Most aircraft use 10 to 15 degree flaps on take-off.
Take off distance will decrease with increase of flap angle initially, but increasing the flap angle increases the drag, and so reduces the climb gradient for a given aircraft mass.
If there are obstacles to be considered in the take off flight path, the flap setting that gives the shortest take off distance may not give the required climb gradient for obstacle clearance.

18. a) Flap Setting
Flaps can give the aircraft extra Lift . The use of flaps during take-off is to reduce take-off roll distance. While during landing is to reduce landing speed and landing roll distance.

19. b)Airframe Contamination
In addition if the airframe is contaminated by frost, ice or snow during take off the aircraft performance will be reduced, and the take off distance will be increased.

20. identify the maximum weight at take off from the performance chart in a given set of conditions.

21. Determine maximum weight at take off from the performance chart
This action is performed before take off in order to confirm that the actual weight is below the maximum permissible take off weight at particular conditions.
The determination of Maximum Weight are done by considering available runway length, temperature (air density), wind direction, runway slope, flap setting, and airfield elevation.

22. Determine the MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT (MTOW)
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ACFT 6
Factors TAKE OFF
Determine the MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT (MTOW)
Given the conditions determine the maximum permissible take off weight:
- Elevation 4000 feet
- Temperature 32 degC
- RWY 3000m dry slope 1% up
- Wind 20kt head component
- Flap setting 15
In the example that we are about to work through, we will identify the maximum weight at take off from the performance chart in a given set of conditions. This action is performed before take off in order to confirm that the actual weight is below the maximum permissible take off weight at particular aerodrome in the conditions prevailing. On modern aircraft this value and the values for the various speeds can be obtained from the FMS, after feeding in the relevant data for the airfield and conditions.
Following conditions are considered in the example:
Airfield elevation 4000 ft
Runway slope 1% up
-Air temperature 32 oC
-Wind 20 kt head
-Runway length 3000 m dry conditions
-Flap 15 degrees
Edition 1.1

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Factors TAKE OFF
From the bottom of the chart, vertical line is drawn at a corresponding runway length (in this example 3000m) until the reference line for the runway slope adjustments. Then the line follows the closest trend line for the runway slope until it reaches the corresponding value (in this case 1% up).
From that position vertical is drawn to the intersection with the wind reference line. Then the line follows the closest trend line for wind adjustment until it reaches the value for the wind (20 kt headwind).
Further on, same principle is used. A vertical line is drawn from that position to the flap reference line. Then the line follows the trend lines until the corresponding value (15 degrees).
And then vertical is drawn all the way up.
Edition 1.1

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Factors TAKE OFF
63 000kg
chart the vertical line is drawn until the intersection with the second line taking into account airfield elevation and temperature, which starts from the bottom left at the corresponding air temperature (32oC). The line is drawn until the intersection with the elevation line (4000ft). Then the line continues horizontally to the intersection with the reference line and from there it follows the closest trend line to the intersection with the first correction line. The intersection is the maximum permissible weight at take off ( kg).
Edition 1.1

25. Steps to Read the Chart
Step 1: From the bottom of the chart, vertical line is drawn at a corresponding runway length (in this example 3000m) until the reference line for the runway slope adjustments.
Step 2: Then the line follows the closest trend line for the runway slope until it reaches the corresponding value (in this case 1% up).
Step 3: From that position vertical is drawn to the intersection with the wind reference line. Then the line follows the closest trend line for wind adjustment until it reaches the value for the wind (20 kt headwind).

26. Steps to Read the Chart
Step 4: Further on, same principle is used. A vertical line is drawn from that position to the flap reference line. Then the line follows the trend lines until the corresponding value (15 degrees).
Step 5: From that position on the chart the vertical line is drawn until the intersection with the second line taking into account airfield elevation and temperature, which starts from the bottom left at the corresponding air temperature (32 C).

27. Steps to Read the Chart
Step 5: The line is drawn until the intersection with the elevation line (4000ft). Then the line continues horizontally to the intersection with the reference line and from there it follows the closest trend line to the intersection with the first correction line. The intersection is the maximum permissible weight at take off ( kg).

28. Determine the MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT (MTOW)
IANS / ATC Training / Courses / Basic / ACFT
ACFT 6
Factors TAKE OFF
Determine the MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF WEIGHT (MTOW)
Given the conditions determine the maximum permissible take off weight:
- Elevation 4000 feet
- Temperature 32 degC
- RWY 2500m dry slope 2% down
- Wind 10kt tail component
- Flap setting 10
Following conditions are considered in the example:
Airfield elevation 4000 ft
Runway slope 2% down
-Air temperature 32 oC
-Wind 10 kt tail
-Runway length 2500 m dry conditions
-Flap 10 degrees
57 000kg
Edition 1.1