ATPL Performance (EASA) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

TODR

Take-off distance required: distance from brake release to 35 ft above runway, including take-off run and airborne segment; must not exceed TORA or TODA.

Balanced field length

The field length where accelerate-stop distance equals take-off distance required; V1 is set so that either action is possible within available runway.

V1

Decision speed: the speed at which, if an engine fails, the pilot can either stop within remaining runway or continue take-off and reach 35 ft.

V2

Take-off safety speed: minimum speed at 35 ft with critical engine inoperative; must be at least 1.13 VSR and 1.10 VMCA.

VMCA

Minimum control speed in the air: the speed below which directional control cannot be maintained with critical engine inoperative and maximum rudder deflection.

VMCG

Minimum control speed on ground: the speed below which directional control cannot be maintained using rudder alone after critical engine failure during take-off roll.

Clearway

An area beyond the runway, not less than 150 m wide, over which an aircraft can climb to 35 ft; included in TODA but not TORA.

Stopway

A rectangular area beyond the runway, at least as wide as the runway, suitable for stopping an aircraft; included in ASDA but not TORA.

Increase V2

A procedure that increases V2 to improve climb gradient and reduce take-off distance, but increases field length; used when obstacle clearance allows.

Take-off climb segments

First segment: 35 ft to 400 ft, V2, gear down; second: 400 ft to 1500 ft, V2, gear up; final: 1500 ft to 1500 ft above aerodrome, V2+10.

Climb gradient formula

Climb gradient (%) = (height gained / horizontal distance) × 100; rate of climb (ft/min) = gradient × ground speed (kt) × 101.3 / 60.

VY

Best rate of climb speed: the speed that gives maximum altitude gain per unit time; used for fastest climb to cruise altitude.

VX

Best angle of climb speed: the speed that gives maximum altitude gain per unit horizontal distance; used for obstacle clearance after take-off.

Net take-off flight path

The gross climb path reduced by a gradient decrement (0.8% for two-engine, 0.9% for three, 1.0% for four) to account for pilot technique and turbulence.

En-route climb requirement

Aircraft must climb at 1.5% (two-engine), 1.7% (three-engine), or 2.0% (four-engine) at 1500 ft above aerodromes along the route with one engine inoperative.

Service ceiling

The altitude at which the maximum rate of climb falls to 100 ft/min (or manufacturer-defined value) for a given mass and configuration.

Bleed air effect

Use of engine bleed air for air conditioning or anti-ice reduces available thrust and climb gradient; performance charts must account for it.

Specific range

Nautical air miles per unit of fuel (e.g., NM/kg); calculated as TAS divided by fuel flow; maximum specific range gives best fuel efficiency.

Long-range cruise speed

A speed typically 4% above maximum range speed, giving about 1% less range but improved schedule flexibility and higher speed.

Maximum endurance speed

The speed for minimum fuel flow per unit time, allowing the aircraft to stay airborne as long as possible; approximately 1.3 VSR.

Maximum range speed

The speed that gives maximum distance per unit fuel; approximately 1.3 VSR for propeller aircraft and 1.6 VSR for jets.

Step climb

A climb to a higher cruise altitude as fuel burns off and aircraft mass decreases, improving specific range; optimum step size depends on aircraft type.

Equal time point

The point along a route where time to destination equals time to return to departure; used for diversion decisions in case of emergency.

Point of no return

The furthest point from which an aircraft can return to departure with required reserve fuel; beyond it, must continue to destination or alternate.

Drift-down

A descent to a lower altitude after engine failure or pressurization loss, where the aircraft can maintain level flight; new cruise level must be computed.

Final reserve fuel

Fuel required to hold for 30 minutes at 1500 ft above aerodrome in ISA conditions; part of total fuel planning.

LDR

Landing distance required: distance from 50 ft above threshold to full stop; must not exceed landing distance available (LDA).

VREF

Landing reference speed: the speed at 50 ft above threshold, typically 1.3 VSR (stall speed in landing configuration); must be at least 1.23 VSR for some types.

Landing climb requirement

Balked landing climb gradient with all engines operating: at least 3.2% (two-engine), 2.7% (three-engine), or 2.4% (four-engine).

RWYCC

Runway condition code: a number from 0 to 6 describing braking action on a contaminated runway; used to determine landing distance.

Autoland minima

Category II/III approach minima using RVR and decision height; require autoland system and runway lighting; lower than manual landing minima.

Reverse thrust credit

Reduction in landing distance allowed when using reverse thrust, but only if specified in the AFM; otherwise no credit may be taken.