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Topic question bank: Performance

Questions and Answers

Cold Weather Operations

After landing on a slippery runway, the aircraft begins to drift toward the left side due to a strong crosswind from the right.
What action should be taken to regain directional control?

On landing with a strong crosswind from the right on a slippery runway, two main forces tend to push the aircraft toward the left (downwind side):
– the crosswind, which acts on the aircraft’s tail, causing the nose to yaw right
– and the reverse thrust, which acts opposite to the aircraft’s heading and reinforces the sideways force

In this scenario, the aircraft is pointing slightly to the right (into the wind), so the reverse thrust vector pushes further toward the left, combining with the crosswind to degrade directional control.

To regain control, we need to reduce the forces pushing us downwind. Since we cannot act on the wind, the best option is to:
– reduce reverse thrust to idle (not cancel it entirely)
– release the brakes to regain tire traction
– use rudder and differential braking as needed to steer back to the centerline

Once directional control is restored, reverse thrust and braking can be reapplied as appropriate.

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What runway condition code is used when dry or wet snow covers the runway with a depth of 4 mm or more?

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What runway condition code is reported when slush or standing water is present with a depth greater than 3 mm?

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What runway condition code is assigned when water, slush, dry snow, or wet snow covers the runway with a depth of 3 mm (1/8 inch) or less?

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Runway condition code is reported 2/3/2 . Is the condition code 2 always the most limiting for RTOW?

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Take-off and Climb

Define balanced $V_{1}$.

Balanced V₁ is the takeoff decision speed at which the Take-Off Distance Required (TODR) equals the Accelerate-Stop Distance Required (ASDR).
At this speed, if an engine fails just before $V_{1}$, the aircraft can either:

  • Stop within the ASDR, or
  • Continue the takeoff and reach screen height within the TODR.

This condition defines the balanced field length, which is the minimum runway length required for a given aircraft weight.

Choosing a lower $V_{1}$ increases TODR, since the aircraft needs more distance to accelerate to $V_{2}$ with one engine inoperative.
Choosing a higher $V_{1}$ increases ASDR, as more energy must be absorbed by the brakes in case of a rejected takeoff.

In essence, balanced $V_{1}$ optimizes field-length-limited takeoff performance.

Balanced V1

Note: The field length may be limited by:
- ASDR
- TODR
- 115% of all-engine TODR

Reminder: If an engine fails exactly at $V_{1}$, the aircraft may not be able to stop within ASDR, due to the reaction time required to recognize the failure and initiate a rejected takeoff (RTO).
That’s why $V_{1}$ is the latest point to initiate the RTO, not to complete it.

What is the effect of clearway on field length limited TOW and how does it affect $V_{1}$?

When using a balanced V₁ (i.e. when TODR = ASDR), the maximum takeoff weight (TOW) is achieved for a given field length.

On a runway without clearway or stopway, TODA = ASDA.
In such a case, for a field length limited takeoff:
- Balanced V₁ results in:
TODR = ASDR = ASDA = TODA
- Since ASDR = ASDA, V₁ cannot be increased further
- And since TODA is fixed, TOW cannot be increased either

This is because:
- Increasing TOW requires a lower V₁ (to keep ASDR ≤ ASDA)
- But lowering V₁ increases TODR, which would then exceed TODA → not allowed

However, introducing a clearway increases TODA (Take-Off Distance Available).
This allows:
- A slightly lower V₁ (to reduce ASDR)
- A slightly higher Vr (to generate the required lift at higher TOW)
- Even though TODR increases slightly with the lower V₁, the added clearway ensures TODR remains ≤ TODA

✅ Result: Higher takeoff weight becomes possible, thanks to the clearway, by using an unbalanced V₁ configuration.

What are the four takeoff flight path segments following an engine failure?

In the event of an engine failure after takeoff, the flight path is divided into four distinct segments, each with specific configuration and performance requirements:

  1. First segment – From screen height (35 ft) to the point where the landing gear is fully retracted.
    – Aircraft is still accelerating with gear down
    – Climb gradient must be positive for twin-engined aircraft and at least equal to 0.5% for quad-engined aircraft

  2. Second segment – From gear up to acceleration altitude (no lower than 400 ft AAL).
    – Flaps remain extended
    – Aircraft must maintain $V_{2}$
    – Minimum required climb gradient is 2.4% for twin-engined aircraft and 3.0% for quad-engined aircraft.

  3. Third segment – From acceleration altitude to the point where the flaps and slats are fully retracted.
    – The aircraft accelerates from $V_{2}$ toward final segment speed
    – Configuration transitions to clean

  4. Fourth segment – From flaps retracted to 1500 ft AAL or the applicable minimum safe altitude (MSA).
    – Climb continues at a higher speed with reduced thrust
    – Minimum required climb gradient is 1.4% for twin-engined aircraft and 1.7% for quad-engined aircraft

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What is TORA?

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Define Stopway.

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Define clearway.

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What are the clearway limitations?

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Define TODA.

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Define ASDA.

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Define $V_{1}$.

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Define unbalanced $V_{1}$.

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Why does balanced $V_{1}$ increase as aircraft weight increases?

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How does $V_{1}$ change on a non-dry runway?

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Define $V_{R}$.

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Describe the relationship between $V_{1}$ and $V_{R}$.

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Define $V_{2}$.

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Define $V_{MCG}$.

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What are the consequences of losing the upwind engine at $V_{MCG}$ during a takeoff in crosswind conditions?

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Define $V_{MBE}$.

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Define $V_{MCA}$.

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Describe the relationship between $V_{MCA}$ and $V_{R}$.

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Describe the relationship between $V_{MCG}$ and $V_{1}$.

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Describe the relationship between $V_{MCA}$ and $V_{2}$.

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What is the effect of pressure altitude and temperature on $V_{MCA}$ and $V_{MCG}$?

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What is the minimum obstacle clearance required along the net take-off flight path.

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What is the purpose of the assumed temperature (or FLEX temperature on Airbus aircraft)?

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Describe the impact of derated take-off thrust on fuel consumption.

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What is the purpose of the derated take-off thrust.

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Why is there a "80 knots" or "100 knots" callout during the takeoff roll?

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Define an aircraft’s critical engine.

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Explain how the P-factor influences the critical engine on a twin-engine propeller aircraft.

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Which engine failure on a twin-engine jet aircraft with crosswind from the left would produce the most adverse handling characteristics during takeoff?

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Does a twin-engine jet aircraft have a critical engine?

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Identify which engines are considered critical on a four-engine jet aircraft and explain why.

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If failure of the upwind engine on takeoff would result in the most adverse handling characteristics, why isn’t that engine considered critical?

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Describe the effect of aircraft weight on takeoff speeds.

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Describe the effect of flap settings on takeoff speeds.

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How should the aircraft be configured for a field length limited takeoff?

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What is the appropriate configuration for a climb- or obstacle-limited takeoff?

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Define climb gradient.

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How does Regulated Takeoff Weight differ from Maximum Takeoff Weight?

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What is the minimum rate of climb required during the second takeoff segment if V2 is 150 kts and one engine fails at V1 on a twin-engine jet aircraft?

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What is the minimum climb gradient required during a missed approach?

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What is the minimum climb gradient required for a SID?

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Define $V_{x}$.

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Define $V_{y}$.

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General Concepts

Define Screen height.

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Explain the difference between $V_{MO}$ and $M_{MO}$.

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Define $V_{D}$

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Define $V_{NE}$.

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Define $V_{NO}$.

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Define cost index.

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How does fuel consumption and flight time change with variations in the cost index?

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What does Cost Index 0 correspond to?

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Describe the impact of flap settings on fuel burn during takeoff.

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How does flying below your optimum altitude affect fuel consumption and performance?

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Define density altitude.

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Why do aircraft fly at high altitudes?

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Define optimum altitude.

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How does the optimum altitude change during flight?

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What are the inconveniences of flying at high altitudes?

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Define absolute ceiling.

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Define service ceiling.

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Which types of energy are involved in aircraft energy management during flight?

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Explain the difference between $V_{LE}$ and $V_{LO}$.

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Define $V_{MCL}$.

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Define $V_{REF}$.

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Define ground effect.

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Under what conditions is a runway considered contaminated?

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Define the aquaplaning/hydroplaning speed. How is it calculated?

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Define the 3-Kelvin spread rule.

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Until when is a go-around still possible?

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Approach and Landing

Define displaced threshold.

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How does approach speed accuracy affect landing performance and safety?

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Describe the impact of flap settings on landing distance.

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What are the effects of weight, altitude, temperature, wind, and pressure on takeoff and landing performance?

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What percentage of the headwind and tailwind components is used in takeoff and landing performance calculations?

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How does the ground effect affect landing distance?

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What are the primary deceleration means used by jet aircraft during the landing roll?

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What factor must be applied to the landing distance when assessing in-flight landing performance?

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Define the landing climb gradient.

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Define the approach climb gradient.

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What is the effect of runway slope on takeoff and landing performance?

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How does Regulated Landing Weight differ from Maximum Landing Weight?

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Explain the difference between dispatch LDR for dry and wet runway.

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You are flying a VOR-DME approach with a 4.1° approach angle and a groundspeed of 150 kt.
What vertical speed should you maintain to stay on the glide path?

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You are flying a LOC/DME approach with a descent gradient of 5.8% and a groundspeed of 135 kt.
What vertical speed is required to stay on the profile?

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Mass and Balance

Define Dry Operating Weight.

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Define traffic load.

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Define Operating weight.

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Define Zero Fuel weight.

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Two identical aircraft with different gross weights begin descent at the same airspeed and under the same wind conditions. Which one will have a higher rate of descent?

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Describe the relationship between stability and maneuverability of an aircraft.

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Define center of gravity.

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Describe the relationship between the center of pressure and the center of gravity.

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How does the center of gravity affect an aircraft’s stall speed?

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How does the center of gravity affect fuel consumption?

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What would happen if an aircraft is loaded with a center of gravity forward of its limit?

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What would happen if an aircraft is loaded with a center of gravity aft of its limit?

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of loading an aircraft with a forward center of gravity?

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of loading an aircraft with an aft center of gravity?

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Does the center of gravity shift during flight?

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