737 max air turn back
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2024
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From: Poland
737 max air turn back
Hello guys,
Just after passing from NG to MAX. I found that in MAX QRH there is distance calculation for a supp. procedure of "air turn back" which gives flap 15 landing. Can someone of you please explain what are we talking about? The definition or air turn back that I know, is you are forced to land just after the T/O. Why is it a flap 15 landing if it's not mentioning any specific malfunction like OEI that wouldn't let you land with F30?
Thanks
Just after passing from NG to MAX. I found that in MAX QRH there is distance calculation for a supp. procedure of "air turn back" which gives flap 15 landing. Can someone of you please explain what are we talking about? The definition or air turn back that I know, is you are forced to land just after the T/O. Why is it a flap 15 landing if it's not mentioning any specific malfunction like OEI that wouldn't let you land with F30?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Poland
I wasn't able to attach the screenshot, don't know why, the uploading stops at 90%, nevertheless this a normal landing distance table with reference distances and adjustments for conditions like the normal landing table, except the title is:
Normal Configuration Landing Distance
Flaps 15,
Only for use with air turn back - Flaps 15 Supplementary procedure.
And the supp procedure air turn back in FCOM states this:
Air turn back - flaps 15 landing
When needed to meet return to land dispatch requirements, do the following
Plan flaps 15 landing and a flap 1 go-around.
Use normal descent procedure except:
Set Vref 15 or Vref Ice
If any of the following conditions apply, set Vref Ice=Vref15+10kt:
Engine anti-ice will be used
Wing anti-ice has been used during flight
Icing conditions were encountered during the flight and landing temperature below 10C
Use normal landing procedure except:
Ground proximity flap inhibit switch _____________flap inhibit
Use normal landing procedure.
Use the normal go-around and missed approach procedure except:
Use flap 1 for the go-around.
Limit bank to 15 when airspeed is less than Vref15+15 or the minimum manouver speed whichever is lower.
End of the procedure.
Any idea?
Normal Configuration Landing Distance
Flaps 15,
Only for use with air turn back - Flaps 15 Supplementary procedure.
And the supp procedure air turn back in FCOM states this:
Air turn back - flaps 15 landing
When needed to meet return to land dispatch requirements, do the following
Plan flaps 15 landing and a flap 1 go-around.
Use normal descent procedure except:
Set Vref 15 or Vref Ice
If any of the following conditions apply, set Vref Ice=Vref15+10kt:
Engine anti-ice will be used
Wing anti-ice has been used during flight
Icing conditions were encountered during the flight and landing temperature below 10C
Use normal landing procedure except:
Ground proximity flap inhibit switch _____________flap inhibit
Use normal landing procedure.
Use the normal go-around and missed approach procedure except:
Use flap 1 for the go-around.
Limit bank to 15 when airspeed is less than Vref15+15 or the minimum manouver speed whichever is lower.
End of the procedure.
Any idea?
Joined: Dec 2023
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 207
Likes: 157
From: UK
FCTM 3.29 has this paragraph under the heading "Go/Stop Decision Near V1":
"It is important to note that the majority of past RTO accidents were not the result of an RTO initiated because of an engine failure. Full takeoff thrust from all
engines was available. With normal takeoff thrust, the airplane should easily reach a height of 150 feet over the end of the runway, and the pilot has the full length of the runway to stop the airplane if an air turnback is required."
My only guess is Boeing calls for an air turnback following an engine failure, hence the flaps 15.
I will have to check the QRH and FCOM but what you have reference isn't written in mine.
"It is important to note that the majority of past RTO accidents were not the result of an RTO initiated because of an engine failure. Full takeoff thrust from all
engines was available. With normal takeoff thrust, the airplane should easily reach a height of 150 feet over the end of the runway, and the pilot has the full length of the runway to stop the airplane if an air turnback is required."
My only guess is Boeing calls for an air turnback following an engine failure, hence the flaps 15.
I will have to check the QRH and FCOM but what you have reference isn't written in mine.
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 424
From: GA, USA
Consider flap limit speeds and load relief.
I don’t remember any of the numbers of the 73 let alone limitations.
If Vref gets close to flap limit speeds in an aircraft which can’t dump fuel.
I don’t remember any of the numbers of the 73 let alone limitations.
If Vref gets close to flap limit speeds in an aircraft which can’t dump fuel.



Joined: Jul 2013
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 5,672
Likes: 3,316
From: Everett, WA
So it's basically flap limit speeds for the rated MTOW.




