Geez Halas – you sure were right about the PCN.
I got inspired to get off my backside and work through the lowered ACN/PCN for the A320 with bogie gear. It helps that Ross has just given me the latest performance manuals.
What a difference the bogie gear makes
Assuming a 73.5 tonne aircraft, this means about 33 tonnes on one main gear leg.
For a twin gear, tyre pressure = 1340 kPa (not that tyre pressure makes much of a difference): ACN = 38
For a bogie gear, tyre pressure = 1220 kPa. ACN = 19. It's half !
Working it backwards, for a runway with PCN 19 (which means it can be used without restriction by aircraft of up to ACN 19) the bogie gear aircraft can use it @ 73.5 tonnes. But the twin gear A320 is restricted to 40 tonnes. That's right – 40 tonnes. Enough for 1 pilot, no pax, no fuel and no catering. Now allowing 25% overload for the purpose of occasional ops, that would allow ACN = 19 * 1.25 = 24. That is still only 48.8 tonnes.
If those selected airfield operators read PPRUNE, they'll be back asking for more good dinners.