Takeoff and Landing Performance
This domain tests whether you can compare the distance the aircraft needs with the distance the runway actually offers, after applying every relevant correction.
Declared distances and the takeoff profile
- TORA is the run available; TODA adds clearway; ASDA adds stopway; LDA is the landing distance available.
- Takeoff distance is ground roll plus the airborne segment to 35 ft; wet or contaminated runways require a factor, typically 1.15.
- Corrections: pressure altitude and temperature (density altitude), mass, wind, slope, surface, bleed air and anti-ice, obstacle clearance.
- V1 is the decision speed, VR rotation, V2 takeoff safety speed; balanced field length equalises accelerate-stop and accelerate-go.
- Landing distance is measured from the 50 ft screen and then factored.
Worked example
A dry chart at 2,000 ft pressure altitude, 20°C and 1,100 kg gives 850 m. A 10 kt headwind reduces it 10% to 765 m. A 1% upslope adds 5%, giving 803 m. A wet runway applies 1.15, giving 923 m against a TODA of 1,000 m - a 77 m margin.
Traps
- Applying a wind or slope correction twice, or in the wrong order.
- Treating a tailwind as if it were a headwind of the same strength.
- Using TODA when ASDA actually limits the aborted takeoff.
- Planning a landing above MLW or ignoring the landing factor.