FCOM vs Airport operations [Archive]

Robini

29th Mar 2008, 21:39

Good Evening,
I have heard many times that B747-400 can takeoffs from runways
like 2500 m but the FCOM tells you someting totally different like 3100 m+...

BTW
some of you may have already seen it but... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtlzL329jqw

Have also seen BLX B744 takeoff from a 2500 m runway in Arlanda
for a 11 hours flight to Phuket (mostly charters have a 100% cabin factor).

I mean B747-400 have so much flaps wich make it generate much ''lift off''
power, but i dont want to be sceptical against the FCOM either...
yeah,i know that there is a difference between what you can do and what
you prefer to do,so i asking you guys if you can tell me if it is POSSIBLE
to takeoff from so ''short'' fields?

Pugilistic Animus

29th Mar 2008, 22:23

Hi Robini:

I can not speak definitively about the 747-400 per se,

but your question as I understand it revolves around TO performance

There are three main things that limit the amount of weight that may be carried from a particular runway: they are limits in case of an engine failure

I. the take off field length ---

---with a question such as this it is best to specify for the responders the so called balanced field distance---

balanced field means that:

---- the distance to accelerate to the critical decision speed V1 ---V1 mean that THE VERY FIRST stopping action must already be complete BY V1 like thrust levers then brakes/spoilers/ reversers-----and then come to a stop

----is equal to the distance required to climb with an engine failed to a height of 35' above the end of the runway while accelerating to safe speed specified by certification [V2]

that condition is the balanced field----

the actual runway length required depends on other important factors

1. the outside Temperature and pressure altitude
2. the slope of the runway [downslope better for acceleration of course]
3. winds
3. runway condition
4. controllability or brake energy requirements

II. climb requirements with a failed engine

III Air carrier obstacle clearance requirements with a failed engine

The weight at which any of those three conditions becomes limiting becomes the highest weight possible to carry from the runway

Perhaps a more useful way to phrase you question is so as to include the actual limitation

what is the minimum balanced field length specified in your approved AFM standard day, filed length limited from a paved level dry runway, with zero runway slope, V1 = to Vmcg and 0---15 knot headwinds---?

and whats the weight specified?

I would add--- what is the maximum zero fuel weight of a 747-400 with xxxxx-engines?-- and what is the typical fuel flow with reserves?

Otherwise it gets too murky:\----honestly

PA