4-65
4.11 Landing—§ 25.125.
4.11.1 Explanation.
4.11.1.1 The landing distance is the horizontal distance from the point at which the main gear of the airplane is 50 feet above the landing surface (treated as a horizontal plane through the touchdown point) to the position of the nose gear when the airplane is brought to a stop. (For water landings, a speed of approximately 3 knots is considered “stopped.”) The beginning of the landing distance is referenced to the main gear because it is the lowest point of the airplane when the airplane is 50 feet above the landing surface. The end of the landing distance is referenced to the nose gear because it is the most forward part of the airplane in contact with the landing surface, and it should not extend beyond the certified landing distance. In this AC, the landing distance is divided into two parts: the airborne distance from 50 feet to touchdown, and the ground distance from touchdown to stop. The latter may be further subdivided into a transition phase and a full braking phase if the applicant prefers this method of analysis.
4.11.1.2 The minimum allowable value of VREF is specified in § 25.125(a)(2)(i) and
(ii). It is intended to provide an adequate margin above the stall speed to allow for likely speed variations during an approach in light turbulence and to provide adequate maneuvering capability. If the landing demonstrations show that a higher speed is needed for acceptable airplane handling characteristics, the landing distance data presented in the AFM must be based upon the higher reference landing speed per § 25.125(b)(2).
Further, if procedures recommend the use of approach speeds that are higher than VREF for reasons other than wind, flight tests should be conducted to determine whether the recommended VREF speeds are readily achievable at the landing threshold. If VREF is not readily achievable, then the AFM landing distances must include the effect of the excess speed at the landing threshold.
4.11.1.3 The engines should be set to the high side of the flight idle trim band, if applicable, for the landing flight tests. The effect of any variation in the idle fuel flow schedule for engines with electronic fuel controllers is typically negligible (but any such claim should be adequately substantiated).
4.11.2 Procedures for Determination of the Airborne Distance.
Three acceptable means of compliance are described in paragraphs 4.11.2.1, 4.11.2.2 and 4.11.2.3 on the following page.
Note: If it is determined that the constraints on approach angle and touchdown rate-of-sink described in paragraphs 4.11.2.2 and 4.11.2.3 below are not appropriate due to novel or unusual features of the airplane’s design, new criteria may be established.
4-66 Such a change would be acceptable only if it is determined that an equivalent level of safety to existing performance standards and operational procedures is maintained.
4.11.2.1 Experience shows an upper bound to the part 25 zero-wind airborne distances achieved in past certifications and, similarly, a minimum speed loss.
4.11.2.1.1 These are approximated by the following:
𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡) = 1.55(𝑉𝑅𝐸𝐹 − 80)1.35 + 800 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑅𝐸𝐹 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝐾𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑇𝐴𝑆 𝑇𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = 𝑉𝑅𝐸𝐹 − 3 𝐾𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑠
4.11.2.1.2 An applicant may choose to use these relationships to establish landing distance in lieu of measuring airborne distance and speed loss. If an applicant chooses to use these relationships, the applicant should show by test or analysis that they do not result in air distances or touchdown speeds that are nonconservative.
4.11.2.2 If an applicant chooses to measure airborne distance or time, at least six tests covering the landing weight range are required for each airplane configuration for which certification is desired. These tests should meet the following criteria:
4.11.2.2.1 A stabilized approach, targeting a glideslope of -3° and an indicated airspeed of VREF, should be maintained for a sufficient time prior to reaching a height of 50 feet above the landing surface to simulate a continuous approach at this speed. During this time, there should be no appreciable change in the power or thrust setting, pitch attitude, or rate of descent. The average glideslope of all landings used to show compliance should not be steeper than -3°.
4.11.2.2.2 Below 50 feet, there should be no nose depression by use of the longitudinal control and no change in configuration that requires action by the pilot, except for reduction in power or thrust.
4.11.2.2.3 The target rate of descent at touchdown should not exceed 6 feet per second. Although target values may not be precisely achieved, the average touchdown rate of descent should not exceed 6 feet per second.
4.11.2.3 If the applicant conducts enough tests to allow a parametric analysis (or equivalent method) that establishes, with sufficient confidence, the relationship between airborne distance (or time) as a function of the rates of descent at 50 feet and touchdown, the part 25 airborne distances may be based on an approach angle of -3.5°, and a touchdown sink rate of 8 feet per second. (See paragraph 4.11.8 for an example of this analysis method.)
The parametric analysis method with these approach angle and touchdown sink rate values should only be used for landing distances for which the
4-67 operational safety margins required by § 121.195(b) or (c), § 135.385(b),
(c), or (f), or equivalent will be applied.
4.11.2.3.1 At a given weight, the air distance or air time established by this method should not be less than 90 percent of the lowest demonstrated value obtained using the target values for approach angle and touchdown sink rate specified in paragraph 4.11.2.3.2 below. Test data with approach angles steeper than -3.5°, or touchdown sink rates greater than 8 feet per second, should not be used to satisfy this requirement.
4.11.2.3.2 In order to determine the parametric relationships, it is recommended that test targets span approach angles from -2.5° to –3.5°, and sink rates at touchdown from 2 to 6 feet per second. Target speed for all tests should be VREF.
4.11.2.3.3 Below 50 feet, there should be no nose depression by use of the longitudinal control and no change in configuration that requires action by the pilot, except for reduction in power or thrust.
4.11.2.3.4 If an acceptable method of analysis is developed by the applicant, a sufficient number of tests should be conducted in each aerodynamic configuration for which certification is desired to establish a satisfactory confidence level for the resulting air distance. Autolands may be included in the analysis but should not comprise more than half of the data points.
If it is apparent that configuration is not a significant variable, all data may be included in a single parametric analysis.
4.11.2.3.5 If an applicant proposes any other method as being equivalent to a parametric analysis, that method should be based on a developed mathematical model that employs performance-related variables such as power or thrust, attitude, angle-of-attack, and load factor to adequately reproduce the flight test trajectory and airspeed variation from the 50-foot point to touchdown. Such a mathematical model should be validated by a sufficient number of tests to establish a satisfactory confidence level, and be justified by a comparison of tested and calculated landing airborne distances.
4.11.2.3.6 For a derivative airplane with an aerodynamic configuration that has been previously certificated, if new tests are necessary to substantiate performance to a weight higher than that permitted by the extrapolation limits of § 25.21(d), two landings per configuration should be conducted for each 5 percent increase in landing weight (but no more than a total of six landings should be needed). These may be merged with previous certification tests for parametric analysis, regardless of whether the previous certification was conducted by this method or not. If a new aerodynamic configuration is proposed, the guidance described in paragraph 4.11.2.3.4 above, should be used.
4-68
4.11.2.3.7 In calculating the AFM landing distances, the speed loss from 50 feet to touchdown, as a percentage of VREF, may be determined using the conditions described in paragraph 4.11.2.3.
4.11.2.4 Whichever method is chosen to establish airborne distances, satisfactory flight characteristics should be demonstrated in the flare maneuver when a final approach speed of VREF-5 knots is maintained down to 50 feet.
4.11.2.4.1 Below 50 feet, the application of longitudinal control to initiate flare should occur at the same altitude as for a normal “on-speed” landing; no nose depression should be made and power or thrust should not be increased to facilitate the flare.
4.11.2.4.2 All power/thrust levers should be in their minimum flight idle position prior to touchdown.
4.11.2.4.3 The normal flare technique should be used, resulting in a touchdown speed approximately 5 knots less than the touchdown speed used to establish the landing distance. The rate of descent at touchdown should not be greater than 6 feet per second.
4.11.2.4.4 This demonstration should be performed over a range of weights (typically at maximum landing weight and near minimum landing weight), or at the most critical weight and CG combination as established by analysis or other acceptable means.
4.11.2.4.5 These VREF-5 knots landing demonstrations should not require the use of high control forces or full control deflections.
4.11.3 Procedures for Determination of the Transition and Stopping Distances.
4.11.3.1 The transition distance extends from the initial touchdown point to the point where all approved deceleration devices are operating. The stopping distance extends from the end of transition to the point where the airplane is stopped. The two phases may be combined at the applicant’s option.
4.11.3.2 If sufficient data are not available, there should be a minimum of six landings in the primary landing configuration. Experience has shown that if sufficient data are available for the airplane model to account for variation of braking performance with weight, lift, drag, ground speed, torque limit, etc., at least two test runs are necessary for each configuration when correlation for multiple configurations is being shown.
4.11.3.3 A series of at least six measured landing tests covering the landing weight range should be conducted on the same set of wheels, tires, and brakes in order to substantiate that excessive wear of wheel brakes and tires is not produced in accordance with the provisions of § 25.125(c)(2). The landing tests should be conducted with the normal operating brake pressures for
4-69 which the applicant desires approval. The brakes may be in any wear state as long as an acceptable means is used to determine the landing distances with fully worn brakes for presentation in the AFM. The main gear tire pressure should be set to not less than the maximum pressure desired for certification corresponding to the specific test weight. Longitudinal control and brake application procedures should be such that they can be consistently applied in a manner that permits the airplane to be de-rotated at a controlled rate to preclude an excessive nose gear touchdown rate and so that the requirements of § 25.125(b)(4) and (5) are met. Nose gear touchdown rates in the certification landing tests should not be greater than eight feet per second. Certification practice has not allowed manually applied brakes before all main gear wheels are firmly on the ground. An automatic braking system can be armed before touchdown.
4.11.3.4 Describe the airplane operating procedures appropriate for determination of landing distance in the performance section of the AFM.
4.11.3.5 Propeller pitch position used in determining the normal all-engines-operating landing stopping distance should be established using the criteria of § 25.125(g) for those airplanes that may derive some deceleration benefit from operating engines. Section 25.125(g) states that if the landing distance determined using a “device” that depends on the operation of any engine would be “noticeably increased” when a landing is made with that engine inoperative, the landing distance must be determined with that engine inoperative, unless a “compensating means” will result in one-engine-inoperative landing distances not greater than those with all engines operating. Acceptable interpretations of the terms “device,” “noticeably increased,” and “compensating means” are described below.
4.11.3.5.1 If, with the normal operational ground idle setting procedure, the propeller produces drag at any speed during the stopping phase of the normal all-engines-operating landing distance, the maximum drag from this “device” for which performance credit may be taken is that which results from a propeller pitch position that gives not more than a slight negative thrust at zero airspeed. A slight negative thrust is that which will not cause the airplane, at light weight and without brakes being applied, to roll on a level surface. If the normal operational ground idle setting produces greater negative thrust at zero airspeed, the all-engines-operating stopping distances should be determined using a special flight test power lever stop to limit the propeller blade angle.
4.11.3.5.2 Distances should be measured for landings made with the propeller feathered on one engine, and ground idle selected after touchdown on the operating engines. The airplane configuration for this test, including the ground idle power lever position, should be the same as that used for the all-engines-operating landing distance determination. Differential braking
4-70 may be used to maintain directional control. This testing should be conducted at the critical weight/CG position and landing speed. The propeller/engine rigging should be at the most adverse allowable tolerance. If the resulting distance does not exceed the all-engines-operating landing distance by more than two percent (2 percent), it is not “noticeably increased” and no further testing is required to take performance credit for all-engines-operating ground idle drag in the certified landing distances.
4.11.3.5.3 If the distances determined in paragraph 4.11.3.5.2 above are more than two percent greater than the all-engines-operating landing distances, there should be a “compensating means” in order to take performance credit for the all-engines-operating ground idle drag. Reverse propeller thrust on the operating engines is considered a “compensating means” if the resulting landing distances, with one propeller feathered, are demonstrated to be not longer than those determined for all-engines-operating with the ground idle setting. The airplane configuration for this test should be the same as that used for the all-engines-operating landing distance determination, except that the propeller reverse thrust position is used. The nose wheel should be free to caster, as in VMCG tests, to simulate wet runway surface conditions. Differential braking may be used to maintain directional control. Procedures for using propeller reverse thrust during the landing must be developed and demonstrated. The procedures associated with the use of propeller reverse thrust, required by § 25.101(f), must meet the requirements of § 25.101(h). The criteria outlined below may be applied to derive the levels of propeller reverse thrust consistent with recommended landing procedures and provide an acceptable means of demonstrating compliance with these requirements. This testing should be conducted at the critical weight/CG position and landing speed. The propeller/engine rigging should be at the most adverse allowable tolerance. If the “compensating means” do not allow performance credit for the all-engines-operating ground idle drag, a minimum of three weights that cover the expected range of operational landing weights and speeds should be tested.
4.11.3.5.4 In accordance with § 25.101(f), procedures for using propeller reverse thrust during landing must be developed and demonstrated. These procedures should include all of the pilot actions necessary to obtain the recommended level of propeller reverse thrust, maintain directional control, ensure safe engine operating characteristics and cancel propeller reverse thrust.
4.11.3.5.5 It should be demonstrated that using propeller reverse thrust during a landing complies with the engine operating characteristics requirements of § 25.939. The propeller reverse thrust procedures may specify a speed at which the propeller reverse thrust is cancelled in order to maintain safe engine operating characteristics.
4-71
4.11.3.5.6 The time sequence for the actions necessary to obtain the recommended level of propeller reverse thrust should be demonstrated by flight test. The time sequence used to determine the landing distances should reflect the most critical case relative to the time needed to obtain selected propeller reverse thrust.
4.11.3.5.7 The response times of the affected airplane systems to pilot inputs should be taken into account, for example, delays in system operation, such as interlocks and power lever detents that prevent the pilot from immediately selecting propeller reverse thrust. The effects of transient response characteristics, such as propeller reverse thrust engine spin-up, should also be included.
4.11.3.5.8 To enable a pilot of average skill to consistently obtain the recommended level of propeller reverse thrust under typical in-service conditions, a lever position that incorporates tactile feedback (e.g., a detent or stop) should be provided. If tactile feedback is not provided, a conservative level of propeller reverse thrust should be assumed.
4.11.3.5.9 The applicant should demonstrate that exceptional skill is not required to maintain directional control on a wet runway. The propeller reverse thrust procedures may specify a speed at which the propeller reverse thrust is cancelled in order to maintain directional controllability.
4.11.3.5.10 Compliance with the requirements of §§ 25.901(b)(2), 25.901(c),
25.1309(b), and 25.1309(c) will be accepted as providing compliance with the “safe and reliable” requirements of §§ 25.101(h)(2) and 25.125(c)(3).
4.11.4 Instrumentation and Data.
Instrumentation should include a means to record the airplane’s glide path relative to the ground, and the ground roll against time, in a manner that permits determining the horizontal and vertical distance time-histories. The appropriate data to permit analysis of these time-histories should also be recorded.
4.11.5 Landing on Unpaved Runways.
Guidance material for evaluation of landing on unpaved runways is contained in chapter 42 of this AC.
4.11.6 Automatic Braking Systems.
Guidance material relative to evaluation of auto-brake systems is provided in paragraph 15.4.9 of this AC.
4.11.7 AFM Landing Distances.
4.11.7.1 In accordance with § 25.101(i), AFM landing distances must be determined with all the airplane wheel brake assemblies at the fully worn limit of their allowable wear range. The brakes may be in any wear state
4-72 during the flight tests used to determine the landing distances, as long as a suitable combination of airplane and dynamometer tests is used to determine the landing distances corresponding to fully worn brakes.
Alternatively, the relationship between brake wear and stopping performance established during accelerate-stop testing may be used if it encompasses the brake wear conditions and energies achieved during the airplane flight tests used to establish the landing distances.
4.11.7.2 In deriving the scheduled distances, the time delays shown in figure 4-19 below should be assumed.
Figure 4-19. Landing Time Delays
4.11.7.2.1 Segment represents the flight test measured average time from touchdown to pilot activation of the first deceleration device. For AFM data expansion, use the longer of 1 second or the test time.
4.11.7.2.2 Segment represents the flight test measured average test time from pilot activation of the first deceleration device to pilot activation of the second deceleration device. For AFM data expansion, use the longer of 1 second or the test time.
4.11.7.2.3 Segment is repeated until pilot activation of all deceleration devices has been completed and the airplane is in the full braking configuration.
4.11.7.3 For approved automatic deceleration devices (e.g., autobrakes or auto-spoilers, etc.) for which performance credit is sought for AFM data expansion, established times determined during certification testing may be used without the application of the 1-second minimum time delay required in the appropriate segment above.
4-73
4.11.7.4 It has been considered acceptable to expand the airborne portion of the landing distance in terms of a fixed airborne time, independent of airplane weight or approach speed.
4.11.7.5 Assumptions to be made in assessing the effect of wind on landing distance are discussed in paragraph 3.1 of this AC.
4.11.8 Parametric Analysis Data Reduction.
The following is an acceptable method of converting the test data to a mathematical model for the parametric analysis method of air distance described in paragraph 4.11.2.3.
4.11.8.1 Test data for each test point:
𝑅 𝑆50⁄ = 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑎𝑡 50 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 (𝑓𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐) 𝑅 𝑆𝑇𝐷⁄ = 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 (𝑓𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐) 𝑉50 = 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑡 50 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 (𝑓𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐) 𝑉𝑇𝐷 = 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 (𝑓𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐) 𝑡 = 𝐴𝑖𝑟 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 50 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 (𝑠𝑒𝑐)
4.11.8.2 The multiple linear regression analysis as outlined below is used to solve for the constants in the following equation:
50 𝑡⁄ = 𝑎 + 𝑏(𝑅 𝑆50⁄ ) + 𝑐(𝑅 𝑆𝑇𝐷⁄ )
4.11.8.3 The form of the dependent variable being solved in the above equation is 50/t, rather than just t, in order to maintain the same units for all variables.
4.11.8.4 The test values of all the test points, 1 through n, are used to determine the constants a, b, and c in the above equation as follows, where n equals the number of test points and R1 through R13 are the regression coefficients:
𝑅1 = ∑ 𝑅 𝑆50⁄ 𝑛 1
𝑅2 = ∑(𝑅 𝑆50⁄ )2 𝑛 1
𝑅3 = ∑ 𝑅 𝑆𝑇𝐷⁄ 𝑛 1
𝑅4 = ∑(𝑅 𝑆𝑇𝐷⁄ )2 𝑛 1
4-74 𝑅5 = ∑(𝑅 𝑆50⁄ )(𝑅 𝑆𝑇𝐷⁄ ) 𝑛 1
𝑅6 = ∑(50 𝑡⁄ ) 𝑛 1
𝑅7 = ∑(𝑅 𝑆50⁄ )(50 𝑡⁄ ) 𝑛 1
𝑅8 = ∑(𝑅 𝑆𝑆𝑇𝐷⁄ )(50 𝑡⁄ ) 𝑛 1
𝑅9 = (𝑛)(𝑅2) − (𝑅1)2 𝑅10 = (𝑛)(𝑅8) − (𝑅3)(𝑅6) 𝑅11 = (𝑛)(𝑅5) − (𝑅1)(𝑅3) 𝑅12 = (𝑛)(𝑅7) − (𝑅1)(𝑅6) 𝑅13 = (𝑛)(𝑅4) − (𝑅3)2 𝑎 = [(𝑅9)(𝑅10) − (𝑅11)(𝑅12)]/[(𝑅9)(𝑅13) − (𝑅11)2] 𝑏 = [(𝑅12) − (𝑐)(𝑅11)]/𝑅9 𝑐 = [(𝑅6) − (𝑏)(𝑅1) − (𝑐)(𝑅3)]/𝑛
4.11.8.5 Using the same regression coefficient relationships, determine the values of the constants, a, b, and c, for the speed reduction between 50 feet and touchdown (V50/VTD) by using the value of (V50/VTD) for (50/t) for each test point.
4.11.8.6 After determining the values of the constants, use the above equation for (50/t) to calculate the time from 50 feet to touchdown for the target conditions of a -3.5° flight path angle and R/STD = 8 ft/sec. Use a value of (R/S50) calculated from the approach path and V50. Then, using the same equation, but substituting (V50/VTD) for (50/t) and using the constants determined for (V50/VTD), calculate (V50/VTD).
4.11.8.7 After VTD is determined (from V50/VTD and V50), the air distance may be determined for the average flare speed and air time.
4-75 Example Test Data:
Run R/S50 R/STD V50 VTD t 1 13.4 6.1 219 214 5.6 2 10.9 1.8 223 218 8.5 3 7.9 5.8 209 201 7.4 4 8.3 2.3 213 206 9.6 5 9.8 4.1 218 212 7.5 Results:
50/t = 1.0432 + 0.3647(R/S50) + 0.4917(R/STD) V50/VTD = 1.05508 - 0.003198(R/S50) + 0.001684(R/STD) For conditions of V50 = 220 ft/sec; flight path = -3.5°; R/STD = 8.0 ft/sec; the results are:
R/S50 = 13.43 ft/sec V50/VTD = 1.0256 t = 5.063 sec Air distance = 1100 ft
5-1 CHAPTER 5. FLIGHT: CONTROLLABILITY AND MANEUVERABILITY
5.1 General—§ 25.143.
5.1.1 Explanation.
5.1.1.1 The purpose of § 25.143 is to verify that any operational maneuvers conducted within the operational envelope can be accomplished smoothly with average piloting skill and without encountering a stall warning or other characteristics that might interfere with normal maneuvering, or without exceeding any airplane structural limits. Control forces should not be so high that the pilot cannot safely maneuver the airplane. Also, the forces should not be so light that it would take exceptional skill to maneuver the airplane without over-stressing it or losing control. The airplane response to any control input should be predictable to the pilot.
5.1.1.2 The maximum forces given in the table in § 25.143(d) for pitch and roll control for short term application are applicable to maneuvers in which the control force is only needed for a short period. Where the maneuver is such that the pilot will need to use one hand to operate other controls (such as during the landing flare or a go-around, or during changes of configuration or power/thrust resulting in a change of control force that needs to be trimmed out) the single-handed maximum control forces will be applicable. In other cases (such as takeoff rotation, or maneuvering during en route flight), the two-handed maximum forces will apply.
5.1.1.3 Short-term and long-term forces should be interpreted as follows:
5.1.1.3.1 Short-term forces are the initial stabilized control forces that result from maintaining the intended flight path following configuration changes and normal transitions from one flight condition to another, or from regaining control following a failure. It is assumed that the pilot will take immediate action to reduce or eliminate such forces by re-trimming or changing configuration or flight conditions, and consequently short-term forces are not considered to exist for any significant duration. They do not include transient force peaks that may occur during the configuration change, change of flight conditions, or recovery of control following a failure.
5.1.1.3.2 Long-term forces are those control forces that result from normal or failure conditions that cannot readily be trimmed out or eliminated.
5.1.1.4 In conducting the controllability and maneuverability tests to show compliance with § 25.143 at speeds between VMO/MMO and VFC/MFC, the airplane should be trimmed at VMO/MMO.
5.1.1.5 Modern wing designs can exhibit a significant reduction in maximum lift capability with increasing Mach number. The magnitude of this Mach