1. Aircraft Characteristics
CE 633

2. Aircraft Characteristics
Important to consider when designing an airport
Design to accommodate changes/enhancements in aircraft specifications
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago

3. Characteristics Will Determine…
Airside
Runway length/width
Separation between runways, taxiways, taxilanes, etc.
Pavement design
Landside
Gates: size and number
Terminal design
Passenger capacity

4. Examples of Characteristics Include…
Aircraft Dimensions
Weight
Passenger Capacity
Landing Gear Configurations
Engine Types
Speed
Flight Separation
Environmental: Noise, fuel consumption, pollution, etc

6. Aircraft Categories Category I Category II Category III
Weight: 12,500 lbs or less
Single propeller driven engine
All helicopters
Category II
Weight: 12,5000 lbs or less
Propeller driven twin-engines
Category III
All other aircraft

7. Engine Types
Piston Engine : Propeller driven aircraft with high-octane gasoline fed reciprocating engines. Mostly small aircraft.
Turboprop : Propeller driven aircraft with turbine engines
Turbofan/Jet : Do not use propellers for thrust but get power directly from a turbine engine. Usually fuel be a diesel fuel, Jet-A.

8. Runway Performance Runway performance is different for every aircraft
Will determine runway length requirements
Dependent upon:
Aircraft Weight
Landing gear
Fuel capacity (weight)
Aircraft performance under certain weather conditions

9. Performance: Atmospheric Conditions
Temperature, air pressure, and wind speed can affect how an aircraft will perform
Runway length, aircraft noise, energy consumption, and flight distances are dependent upon the atmospheric conditions

10. Aircraft characteristic database can be found on FAA’s website

11. Cessna Skycatcher Engine: 1 Propeller Wingspan: 30’ Length: 22’1”
Height: 7’4”
Total Seats: 2
Cruising Speed: 125 mph
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 1,320 lbs
Required Runway Length: 1,138 ft

12. Cessna Caravan 675 Engine: 1 Turboprop Wingspan: 52’1” Length: 37’7”
Height: 14’10”
Total Seats: 10
Cruising Speed: 214 mph
Maximum Takeoff Weight:
Required Runway Length: 2055 ft

13. ERJ-145 Engine: 2 Turbofans Wingspan: 65’9” Length: 98’ Height: 22’2”
Total Seats: 50
Cruising Speed: 518 mph
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 45,415 lbs
Required Runway Length: 5,643 ft

14. Boeing MD-80 Engine: 2 Turbofan Wingspan: 107’10” Length: 147’10”
Height: 29’5”
Total Seats: 172
Cruising Speed: 500 mph
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 140,000 lbs
Required Runway Length: 7,250 ft

15. Airbus A300-600 Engine: 2 Turbofans Wingspan: 147’01” Length: 175’06”
Height: 54’6.5”
Total Seats: 375
Cruising Speed: 544 mph
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 363,690 lbs
Required Runway Length: 7,600 ft

16. Concorde Jet Engine: 2 Turbojets Wingspan: 83’10” Length: 205’05”
Height: 28’8”
Total Seats: 128
Max Speed: Mach 2.04 (1350 mph)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 408,000 lbs
Required Runway Length: 11,300 ft