B737 Takeoff Performance

B737 Performance chapter 1, Takeoff Performance. By the end of this chapter you can explain how performance limited takeoff weight is built from field length, climb, obstacle, tire speed and brake energy limits, how V1, VR and V2 relate to balanced field length, how VMCG, VMCA and VMCL differ, and how derates and assumed temperature change the numbers you actually fly.

• 8 pages
• 115 min of reading
• 12 question chapter check
• Notes, highlights and progress saved

What this chapter covers

1. 1
   Declared distances and performance limited weightWritten from 737-800 performance principles, FAR 25 certification requirements, and FCOM-PI concepts
   14 min read
2. 2
   Field length limited weightWritten from 737-800 performance principles, FAR 25 certification requirements, and FCOM-PI concepts
   15 min read
3. 3
   Climb limited weight and the climb segmentsWritten from 737-800 performance principles, FAR 25 certification requirements, and FCOM-PI concepts
   14 min read
4. 4
   Obstacle limited weight and improved climbWritten from 737-800 performance principles, FAR 25 certification requirements, and FCOM-PI concepts
   15 min read
5. 5
   Tire speed and brake energy limited weightWritten from 737-800 performance principles, FAR 25 certification requirements, and FCOM-PI concepts
   14 min read
6. 6
   V1, VR and V2Written from 737-800 performance principles, FAR 25 certification requirements, and FCOM-PI concepts
   15 min read
7. 7
   VMCG, VMCA and VMCLWritten from 737-800 performance principles, FAR 25 certification requirements, and FCOM-PI concepts
   13 min read
8. 8
   Flat rating, derates and assumed temperatureWritten from 737-800 performance principles, FAR 25 certification requirements, and FCOM-PI concepts
   15 min read

B737 takeoff performance terms

TORA (take-off run available)

The runway length declared usable for the ground run.

TODA (take-off distance available)

TORA plus any clearway beyond the runway end.

ASDA (accelerate-stop distance available)

TORA plus any stopway declared usable for stopping.

Performance limited takeoff weight

The lowest of the field length, climb, obstacle, tire speed, brake energy and other limited weights.

Field length limited weight

Heaviest weight that passes all four takeoff and accelerate-stop distance checks.

Climb limited weight

Heaviest weight that still meets the engine out climb gradients, such as 2.4 percent in the second segment.

Obstacle limited weight

Heaviest weight whose net flight path clears every obstacle by at least 35 ft.

VMBE (maximum brake energy speed)

Fastest speed a full stop can be made from without exceeding the brakes' certified energy limit.

Tire speed limit

The 737 default is 225 mph, or 195 knots ground speed at liftoff.

V1

Latest speed to begin a reject, and the slowest speed to continue safely after an engine failure.

VR and V2

VR is rotation speed. V2 is the takeoff safety speed held in the second segment, at least 1.13 Vs and 1.10 VMCA.

VMCG, VMCA and VMCL

Minimum control speeds on the ground, in the air, and in landing configuration after an engine failure.

Assumed temperature method

Reduces takeoff thrust by calculating performance for a higher assumed outside temperature.

Fixed derate

A lower certified thrust rating with its own VMCG, VMCA and trim data.

Try a question from this chapter

B737 takeoff performance questions