Aircraft Performance Flashcards
What are some of the main elements of aircraft performance?
a. Takeoff and landing distance.
b. Rate of climb.
c. Ceiling.
d. Payload.
e. Range.
f. Speed.
g. Fuel economy.
h. Maneuverability.
i. Stability.
What factors affect the performance of an aircraft during takeoffs and landings?
a. Air density (density altitude).
b. Surface wind.
c. Runway surface.
d. Upslope or downslope of runway.
e. Weight.
What effect does wind have on aircraft performance?
Takeoff—The effect of a headwind is to allow the aircraft to reach the lift-off speed at a lower ground speed, which will increase airplane performance by shortening the takeoff distance and increasing the angle of climb. The effect of a tailwind is the aircraft needs to achieve greater ground speed to get to lift-off speed. This decreases aircraft performance by increasing takeoff distance and reducing the angle of climb.
Landing—The effect of wind on landing distance is identical to its effect on takeoff distance. A headwind will lower ground speed and increase airplane performance by steepening the approach angle and reducing the landing distance. A tailwind will increase ground speed and decrease performance, by decreasing the approach angle and increasing the landing distance.
Cruise flight—Winds aloft have somewhat an opposite effect on airplane performance. A headwind will decrease performance by reducing ground speed, which in turn increases the fuel requirement for the flight. A tailwind will increase performance by increasing the ground speed, which in turn reduces the fuel requirement for the flight.
How does weight affect takeoff and landing performance?
Increased gross weight can have a significant effect on takeoff performance:
a. Higher liftoff speed;
b. Greater mass to accelerate (slow acceleration);
c. Increased retarding force (drag and ground friction); and
d. Longer takeoff distance.
