View Single Post
Old 01-21-2011, 05:53 PM
  #1  
IFLY22
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 36
Default 135 Turbine Landing Limitations Question

I have a question regarding the following FAR 135.385


Large transport category airplanes: Turbine engine powered: Landing limitations: Destination airports.

(a) No person operating a turbine engine powered large transport category airplane may take off that airplane at a weight that (allowing for normal consumption of fuel and oil in flight to the destination or alternate airport) the weight of the airplane on arrival would exceed the landing weight in the Airplane Flight Manual for the elevation of the destination or alternate airport and the ambient temperature anticipated at the time of landing.

[
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), (d), (e), or (f) of this section, no person operating a turbine engine powered large transport category airplane may take off that airplane unless its weight on arrival, allowing for normal consumption of fuel and oil in flight (in accordance with the landing distance in the Airplane Flight Manual for the elevation of the destination airport and the wind conditions expected there at the time of landing), would allow a full stop landing at the intended destination airport within 60 percent of the effective length of each runway described below from a point 50 feet above the intersection of the obstruction clearance plane and the runway. For the purpose of determining the allowable landing weight at the destination airport the following is assumed:]

(1) The airplane is landed on the most favorable runway and in the most favorable direction, in still air.
(2) The airplane is landed on the most suitable runway considering the probable wind velocity and direction and the ground handling characteristics of the airplane, and considering other conditions such as landing aids and terrain.
(c) A turbopropeller powered airplane that would be prohibited from being taken off because it could not meet paragraph (b)(2) of this section, may be taken off if an alternate airport is selected that meets all of this section except that the airplane can accomplish a full stop landing within 70 percent of the effective length of the runway.
(d) Unless, based on a showing of actual operating landing techniques on wet runways, a shorter landing distance (but never less than that required by paragraph (b) of this section) has been approved for a specific type and model airplane and included in the Airplane Flight Manual, no person may take off a turbojet airplane when the appropriate weather reports or forecasts, or any combination of them, indicate that the runways at the destination airport may be wet or slippery at the estimated time of arrival unless the effective runway length at the destination airport is at least 115 percent of the runway length required under paragraph (b) of this section.

(e) A turbojet airplane that would be prohibited from being taken off because it could not meet paragraph (b)(2) of this section may be taken off if an alternate airport is selected that meets all of paragraph (b) of this section.


[
(f) An eligible on-demand operator may take off a turbine engine powered large transport category airplane on an on-demand flight if all of the following conditions exist:
(1) The operation is permitted by an approved Destination Airport Analysis in that person's operations manual.
(2) The airplane's weight on arrival, allowing for normal consumption of fuel and oil in flight (in accordance with the landing distance in the Airplane Flight Manual for the elevation of the destination airport and the wind conditions expected there at the time of landing), would allow a full stop landing at the intended destination airport within 80 percent of the effective length of each runway described below from a point 50 feet above the intersection of the obstruction clearance plane and the runway. For the purpose of determining the allowable landing weight at the destination airport, the following is assumed:
(i) The airplane is landed on the most favorable runway and in the most favorable direction, in still air.
(ii) The airplane is landed on the most suitable runway considering the probable wind velocity and direction and the ground handling characteristics of the airplane, and considering other conditions such as landing aids and terrain.
(3) The operation is authorized by operations specifications. ]


It was and has always been my understanding that you can not legally depart for your destination unless you know that you can stop within 60% of the usable runway that you plan to use. Recently I have been told that per paragraph E (highlighted in bold) you can legally depart for your destination airport even if at the time of departure your numbers show that you can not come to a full stop within 60 % of the effective runway at your destination as long as your alternate airport's intended runway of use allows the 60% rule. My question is- How is it legal to then land at your intend destination if the landing distance numbers show that you can not land within 60 percent of the effective rwy as it is stated in paragraph B above?

Was paragraph E inserted in this regulation for situations such as allowing a departure to an airport with say a contaminated rwy that the pilot was told will be sanded, swept, etc to permit better landing numbers upon his arrival that would then allow for a landing within 60% of the runway?? I just don't see how it is legal to attempt a landing knowing you can not stop within 60% of the effective rwy just because one listed an alternate airport that says you can. Seems to defeat the point of the 60 % rule. I appreciate any clarification!
IFLY22 is offline