AIR CRAFT CHARACTERSTICS

We need this knowledge because it is essential for designing of air port

airside
It includes *A/C SIZE *A/C WEIGHT*A/C ENGINES*A/C SPEED* A/C
NOISE*
A/C CAPACITY* A/C TURNING RADIUS
1. A/C SIZE
It is essential for determining of building configurations, site
clearance ,size of parking apron etc. It includes wing span, fuselage
length, distance between gears, wheel base, height and tail width.
.
2. AIRCRAFT weight
Aircraft weight is important for determining the thickness of the
runway, taxiway, and apron pavements, and it affects the takeoff and
landing runway length requirements at an airport.
Manufacturer's empty weight (MEW)
Also called Manufacturer's Weight Empty (MWE) or Licensed Empty Weight
It is the weight of the aircraft "as built" and includes the weight of the
structure, power plant, furnishings, installations, systems and other
equipment that are considered an integral part of an aircraft. This
excludes any baggage, passengers, or usable fuel2.
Basic wt of a/c + Crew members + Gear assembly varies with seating
capacity.
Zero-fuel weight (ZFW)
This is the total weight of the airplane and all its contents (including
unusable fuel), but excluding the total weight of the usable fuel on board.
As a flight progresses and fuel is consumed, the total weight of the airplane
reduces, but the ZFW remains constant.
Maximum zero fuel weight (MZFW) is the maximum weight allowed before
usable fuel and other specified usable agents (engine injection fluid, and
other consumable propulsion agents) are loaded.
Zero fuel weight, ZFW.
Weight above which all weight is fuel.
ZFW = OEW + PAY LOAD

Operating empty weight (OEW) (Roughly equivalent to basic empty

weight on light aircraft)
It is the basic weight of an aircraft including the crew, all fluids necessary
for operation such as engine oil, engine coolant, water, unusable fuel and all
operator items and equipment required for flight but excluding usable fuel
and the payload.
Payload
It is the carrying capacity of an aircraft. It includes cargo, people, extra
fuel. In the case of a commercial airliner, it may refer only to revenuegenerating cargo or paying passengers.
Pay Load ,PL
Revenue Producing Load
PL=PAX + BAGG + CARGO + MAIL.

Typical Payload of Transport (Table 3 5).

B 707

17.9 TONS

A 310

35.2

B 747

44

2.4)Maximum Structural Payload, MSPL.

Maximum load a/c is certified to carry, whether this load be pax., cargo or
both
MSPL = ZFW OEW
Max payload is actually less than MSPL because of space limitations( seats
and other items)

Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)

This is the maximum weight at which the pilot of the aircraft is allowed to
attempt to take of3.
Maximum Structural Take Off Weight(MTOW)
Maximum weight authorized at brake release for takeof.
MSTOW= OEW + FUEL (TRIP + RESERVE) + PAYLOAD
Maximum landing weight (MLW)

This maximum weight at which an aircraft is permitted to land3.

Maximum Structural Landing Weight (MSLW).
It is the structural capability of the a/c in landing. The main gear is design
to absorb the encountered during landing.

Maximum ramp weight (MRW)

also called maximum taxi weight (MTW)
It is the maximum weight authorized for maneuvering (taxiing or towing) an
aircraft on the ground.
Maximum Ramp Weight (MRW)
Maximum weight authorized for ground maneuver.
MRW = OEW + FUEL (TRIP + RESERVE + TAXI + RUNUP) + PAYLOAD
As the aircraft taxis between apron and the end of the runway, it burn fuels
and consequently loses weight. Slightly greater than MTOW.
FUEL WEIGHT
2.8.1.Run up fuel It depends on travel distance and queue time.
2.8.2. Trip fuel- It depends on range, speed, altitude ,payload and weather
conditions.
2.8.3.Reserve fuel- It depends on distance to nearest air port ,amount of
specified waiting time and length of trip
1 GALLON OF JET FUEL WEIGHS= 6.7 Lb

The maximum landing weight is what the manufacturer has certified for
landings. Generally, this is MTOW minus some fuel.
The aircraft has:

Basic Empty Weight (BEW) is the weight of the aircraft "as built"
and includes the weight of the structure, power plant, furnishings,
installations, systems and other equipment that are considered an
integral part of an aircraft before additional operator items are added
for operation.
Dry Operating Wieght (DOW) BEW + Weight of Crew (Pilot +
Cabin including their bags) + Pantry
Operating Weight (OW) DOW + Takeof fuel (i.e. Ramp Fuel - Taxi
fuel)
Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW) DOW + Payload (anything
put on the aircraft that generates revenue to the company, e.g.
passenger, baggage, cargo, mail and fret)
Maximum Taxi Weight (MTW) MZFW + Ramp fuel
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) MZFW + Takeof fuel, or MTW
- Taxi fuel
Maximum Landing Weight (MLW) MTOW - Trip Fuel

PAY LOAD VS RANGE

4
3.5
3
2.5
PAY LOAD

2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0

RANGE
It is the total aircraft weight at any moment during the flight or ground
operation. This decreases during flight due to fuel and oil consumption.

3.A/C ENGINES
3.1.Piston Engine Powered by gasoline fed reciprocating engines and
drawn by propeller or air screw.e.g Cessna.
3.2.Turbojet -Compressor is rotated with a motor, air sucks in ,ignited by a
fuel, expands and escapes through the tail giving a thrust to A/C.
3.3.Turboprop- Similar to turbojet except the propeller is provided in it.
Turbine extracts enough power to drive both compressor and propeller.
Less efective than turbo jet.
3.4.Turbofan-Turbojet + large dia blades in front of compressor , more
economical.
B-707,B-747 and A-300.
Thrust and Performance
Thrust the force exerted in any direction by a fluid, jet, or by a powered
screw.
- Rated in pound of thrust in static position at any level.
- During cruising A/C utilizes
38000 lb.

Th.

1/5th thrust.B-707 18000 lb.Concord

Performance A/C performance can be measured by BYE pass ratio and

specific fuel consumptions.
4. A/C SPEED
4.1.Cruise speed- The speed at which a/c travels W.R.TO ground.
4.2.Air speed Speed W.R. to wind
4.3.Indicated Air Speed- From an indicator in cockpit.
4.4. Stall speed- The speed at which A/C takes of.
4.5.Take of decision speed- Speed at which pilots decides to t/of.
5.A/C Noise .
Machinery noise + jet exhaust. Expressed as Epndb (db+12)
6. CAPACITY

No. Of Pax+Baggage +Cargo +Fuel That Can Be Accomodated In A/C.

 It helps in detrmining the pay load(200 lb/seat)

7.A/C Turning Radius.
- largest radius is most critical for stand point of view of clearance to
bldg.or adj. A/C.(60-80 )
- Measure from center of rotation to wing tip,nose or tail tip.