AIRCRAFT MASS (WEIGHT) & PERFORMANCE Lecture 1: INTRODUCTION AIRCRAFT MASS (WEIGHT) & PERFORMANCE By: Zuliana Ismail, 2010

Introduction Even though the airlines are in business to transport people from one place to another, they could not function without the help of many people on the air or on the ground, including those who take reservations and sell tickets, as well as those who help keep the airplanes operating on schedule and ensure the safety of flight. Those who are involved in the operations of flight known as AIRCREW. A flight dispatcher is a person responsible for planning and monitoring the progress of an aircraft journey. In airline operations, depending on the type of certification the airline has, and depending on where the airline is based, both the pilot in command and the dispatcher are legally responsible for the safety of a flight. A dispatcher may have the authority to delay, divert or cancel a flight at any time, and a flight might not be able to be released without the signature of both the pilot in command and the dispatcher, again depending on the jurisdiction. A dispatcher typically must be licensed by the aviation authority of a country. In order to obtain the licence, the candidate must demonstrate extensive knowledge of meteorology and aviation, to a level comparable to the holder of an airline transport pilot license. The dispatcher uses sophisticated software tools to monitor the flight's progress and advises the flight crew of any circumstances that might affect flight safety. Shared responsibility adds a layer of checks and balances to aircraft operation and greatly improves safety.[2] In the US, licensed flight dispatchers have to demonstrate extensive aviation knowledge equal to that of Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) holders (the FAA ATPL written exam and the FAA Dispatcher written exam are identical). In some jurisdictions of the US, the dispatching duties and responsibilities are designated to flight followers. The main difference between a flight dispatcher and a flight follower is that the latter does not share legal responsibility for the operation of a flight. Also, followers are not required to attain a flight dispatcher's license, although they are usually encouraged to do so.[3]

Who Is Aircrew? FLIGHT OPERATORS/DISPATCHER COCKPIT CREWS: PILOT/CAPTAIN CO-PILOT/FLIGHT OFFICERS FLIGHT ENGINEERS CABIN CREWS/ FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS GROUND CREW: FLIGHT OPERATORS/DISPATCHER MAINTENANCE CREWS

Flight Dispatcher A flight dispatcher is a person responsible for planning and monitoring the progress of an aircraft journey. Just like a pilot, a flight dispatcher are responsible for the safety of a flight. A dispatcher have the authority to delay, or cancel a flight at any time, and a flight can’t be released without the signature of both the pilot in command and the dispatcher

aircraft journey or Phases of Flight Preflight & Take-off Climb Cruise / En-route Descend Approach And Landing

Responsible of Aircraft Flight Dispatcher Besides contribute to the safety of flight operations, Flight Dispatcher also contribute to the economy and efficiency of aircraft operation by improving the payload & reducing excessive fuel reserve. Flight dispatchers have to demonstrate extensive aviation knowledge equal to that of airline transport pilot license (ATPL) holders.

Knowledge of Flight Dispatcher Aviation Law Aviation Introduction/History AIRCRAFT MASS (WEIGHT) AND PERFORMANCE Navigation Air Traffic Management Meteorology Mass and Balance Flight Planning & Monitoring Communications (Radio) Aviation Human Factors

Responsible of Aircraft Flight Dispatcher Flight Dispatcher responsible for the safe loading of airplane and must ensure that it is not overloaded. The performance of an airplane is influenced by its weight and overloading it will cause serious problems. Weather At the departure airport Along the route of flight At the destination airport At an alternate airport Fuel Total fuel consumed during the flight Additional fuel for weather avoidance Required fuel for holding Fuel to an alternate airport Aircraft Mechanically suited for the flight Navigation limitations Maximum weight & balance limitations Maximum allowable takeoff and landing weights Performance Aircrew Meet required qualifications for the flight Meet required currency standards Have adequate rest

Weight & Performance & Balance Too much weight in the front of the airplane will cause it to pitch downward Too much weight in rear of aircraft will cause aircraft to pitch upward

AIRCRAFT MASS & PERFORMANCE

What is AIRCRAFT

IANS / ATC Training / Courses / Basic / ACFT What is WEIGHT??? ACFT 6 Factors TAKE OFF An aircraft, like all bodies, has mass. When the aircraft is at rest on the ground there is only one force acting on it, which is called WEIGHT, and it always acts in a vertical direction towards the centre of the Earth. Before an aircraft can leave the ground and fly the weight force must be balanced by a force which acts upwards. This force is called LIFT and it is generated aerodynamically by the flow of air over the wings. The take off part of a flight is the distance from the brake release point to the point at which the aircraft reaches a defined height over the surface (35ft). During the take off roll, lift is created on the wings to overcome the aircraft weight. This is done by forward acceleration of the aircraft produced by greater thrust force then drag. The take off distance required depends on the interaction of forces: The thrust varies during take off, in general it decreases as aircraft speeds up; The total drag of the aircraft during take off results from aerodynamic drag and wheel drag. As the aircraft speeds up the aerodynamic drag will increase. The wheel drag depends on the load and the runway surface resistance. But as the aircraft speeds up the lift force increases, which reduces the load on the wheels and therefore reduces the wheel drag (eventually to zero); The lift force increases, as aircraft speeds up; The aircraft weight remains constant; The factors that affect these forces and their interaction are the factors that affect aircraft performance during take off. In order to generate the lift force the aircraft must move forward through the air. This is provided by the engine(s) that create a force called THRUST. From the very moment the aircraft begins to move, air resists its forward motion with a force called DRAG. Edition 1.1 13-02-2006

What is Performance? Aircraft performance is the capability of aircraft at various phases of flight. Some of the factors which represent good performance are short takeoff and landing distance, increased climb capability, and greater speeds using less fuel. Aircraft’s weight can give a significant effect on aircraft performance.

Aircraft Performance Data for A320 Cruise Speed (knots): 454 Range in Nautical Miles: 2640 Service Ceiling (feet): 31000 Fuel Max (Gallons): 3380 Rate of Climb (feet per minute): Not Available Take over 50 foot obstacle (feet): Not Available Landing over 50 foot obstacle (feet): Not Available Take Off Normal (feet): 5630 Landing Normal (feet): 4750

Course Outlines

Course Outlines INTRODUCTION Weight Definition Performance definition RELATED ASPECTS WITH AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE Basic Principles for Flight Safety Effect of excessive weight to aircraft safety Density Altitude BASIC MASS (WEIGHT) AND SPEED LIMITATIONS Composition of aircraft weight Performance Speeds

Course Outlines 4. TAKE-OFF RUNWAY REQUIREMENTS Factors affecting take-off performance Max. Take-off Weight (MTOW) Take-off Distance 5. CLIMB & CRUISE PERFORMANCE Factors affecting climb and cruise performance Climb Gradient Range & Endurance

Course Outlines 6. FACTORS AFFECTING DESCEND, APPROACH & LANDING PERFORMANCE Max. Landing Weight (MLW) Calculations Landing Distance 7. BOUNDARY SPEED LIMITATIONS(BUFFET)

Performance Charts Pressure Altitude Chart Density Altitude Chart Take-Off Distance Chart Fuel Time Distance Climb Chart Cruise Performance Graph Crosswind and Headwind Component Chart Landing Distance Table Normal Take-Off Runway Required Table