Calculate weight and balance, and performance information necessary for the safe operation of turbine aircraft.

Calculate weight and balance, and performance information necessary for the safe operation of turbine aircraft.

Turbine airplanes are often thought to have exceptional performance. While that statement is generally true, turbine airplanes have performance limitations as do all types of aircraft. One factor that heavily influences the performance of turbine airplanes is weight and balance. Because of the design and typical mission profile of turbine airplanes, they tend to have a much larger weight and CG range than do smaller aircraft making the impact of weight, and balance on performance a much more critical factor than you may be used to in training aircraft. This assignment explores the relationship of weight and balance and aircraft performance

In this assignment, you will address the scenario below. You will compose a minimum 500-word informative paper (2–3 pages), in addition to the title and reference pages. Address and thoroughly answer the prompts. You should demonstrate your mastery of weight and balance and performance principles.

For the following prompts, respond as if you are an aviation consultant that has been retained by a financial services corporation to help them establish a corporate flight department. The current discussion revolves around the performance capability of the jet that they have selected.

For this assignment, reference the loading chart, takeoff performance chart, and landing performance chart below.

• Calculate the aircraft’s CG given the loading conditions in Table 1. Fuel loading arm is available in Table 2. What is the aircraft’s CG in % MAC? Explain the impact of fuel burn on the CG using Table 2.
• Determine the speeds and runway required for takeoff, using Table 3 or Table 4 below, under the following conditions: aircraft weight as determined above, airport altitude 1,000 feet, Temperature 0 degrees Celsius, Flaps 1, Zero Slope, No Wind, and Ice Protection on. What are the appropriate V-speeds and runway required for this takeoff?
• Determine the VREF speed and runway required for landing using Table 5 below under the following conditions: aircraft weight: takeoff weight as determined above minus 4,000-pound fuel burn, landing airport altitude: sea level, Flaps full, ice protection off, zero slope, no wind. What is the VREF speed and runway required for landing?
• Explain the impact that weight and balance have on safety of the flight. What are two potential consequences of loading the aircraft above weight limits? What are two potential consequences of the CG being out of limits?
• List three factors that impact the performance of the aircraft. Explain how each of these factors influence the performance of the aircraft.
• The company is considering three different cities in which to base the aircraft. All three cities have a regional office that is relatively close to an airport. The company has asked for your recommendation of which airport would best operationally suit the aircraft. Provide your recommendation of which airport the aircraft should be based at based on performance considerations. Explain your rationale for recommending the airport you did as well as your rationale for rejecting each of the other airports. Use the following to inform your decision:
  • Airport A is at sea level, has a 4,500-foot runway, and has no significant terrain or obstacles in the area
  • Airport B is at 1,000 feet, has a 4,900-foot runway, and has no significant terrain or obstacles in the area
  • Airport C is at 2,000 feet, has a 9,000 runway, and is located in a mountainous area
  • Assume a normal takeoff weight of 26,000 pounds
  • Assume an average temperature of 10 degrees at Airport A and 5 degrees at Airport B and C
  • Reference Tables 3 through 7 below to inform your recommendation

Table 1

 LEMAC: 209.64; MAC: 64.57; CG % MAC=((CG-LEMAC)/MAC)x100

Table 2: Fuel Arm Table

Table 3: SIMPLIFIED TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE

Flaps 1 – Dry Runway – Zero Slope – No Wind

Ice Protection Off

Pressure Altitude 1,000 feet

TAKEOFF WEIGHT

RUNWAY LENGTH (ft.)

V1/VR/V2 (KIAS)

Table 4: SIMPLIFIED TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE

Flaps 1 – Dry Runway – Zero Slope – No Wind

Ice Protection On

Pressure Altitude 1,000 feet

TAKEOFF WEIGHT

RUNWAY LENGTH (ft.)

V1/VR/V2 (KIAS)

Table 5: Landing Distance

Ice Protection Off – Zero Slope – No Wind – Flaps Full

Table 6: SIMPLIFIED TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE

Flaps 1 – Dry Runway – Zero Slope – No Wind

Ice Protection Off

Pressure Altitude Sea Level

TAKEOFF WEIGHT

RUNWAY LENGTH (ft)

V1/VR/V2 (KIAS)

Table 7: SIMPLIFIED TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE

Flaps 1 – Dry Runway – Zero Slope – No Wind

Ice Protection Off

Pressure Altitude 2,000 feet

TAKEOFF WEIGHT

RUNWAY LENGTH (ft.)

V1/VR/V2 (KIAS)

Components

• Your assignment should be composed in a Microsoft® Word® document and include an APA formatted title page with the following information: Title of the paper, your name, course number and section number, and date.
• It must be a minimum 2–3-page paper, in addition to the title page, references, etc. It must be in Times New Roman or Arial 12-pt font, and double-spaced.
• Your paper should include an introduction and conclusion.
• It must be in current APA formatting with citations to your sources, and your reference page should list all references used. For additional help with writing an informative essay and APA style, visit the Writing Center accessed through the Academic Success Center within the Academic Tools area of the course.
• Ensure you are properly paraphrasing from your sources. For a refresher on paraphrasing, view this short Guide to Paraphrasing video and explore the additional resources prior to starting your assignment. You can access tutorials, how-to videos, tutoring services, and more by visiting the Academic Success Center.
• You must use your handbook or regulations as a resource for this assignment. Be sure to reference it in your references section.
• Be sure to include the criteria located in the rubric within your paper.