737NG tail wind limit

[PEI_3721]

I posted this in the AA Jamaica thread;-
Re tailwinds: The Flight Test Guide for Certification for Transport Category Airplanes AC 25-7A states “The AFM should contain a statement that the limitation for tailwinds greater than 10 knots reflects the capability of the airplane as evaluated in terms of airworthiness but does not constitute approval for operation in tailwinds exceeding 10 knots".
AFAIK, the 737 AFM has no such statement, thus this suggests that if ‘operational approval’ it has been given by the local FAA. In this processes there is opportunity for an ill-considered approval (e.g. use the same one as previous 737 variants), and perhaps without full consideration of the potential risks which perhaps the certification regulations suggest.

IMHO extending a tailwind landing limit adds considerable risk to an operation and should be avoided. There are many performance variables which can be affected (e.g. tyre speed limit) and the margins for the assumed crew performance e.g. tendency for a long landing, are greatly reduced.

The bottom line for an approval might be if the approved flight manual contains the landing data or not – do not assume that the computerised landing data or system limits are evidence of an approval to operate.


“… what kind of restriction if the tail wind exceed 10kts during autolanding?”
Perhaps landing performance.
Autolanding uses a different test method from manual landing to establish the landing distance. e.g. (not factual) 1000 ft air distance for manual landing, 2500 ft for autoland.
Or operational approval.
An aircraft may be certificated for an operation, but the operator is not (training, experience etc).