AC 91-79B

Advisory circular · Aircraft Landing Performance and Runway Excursion Mitigation

Approved
August 28, 2023
Last reviewed
August 2, 2024
Family
AC 91-79 · 5 versions
Revision
B
14 CFR parts
91, 121, 125, 135

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed November 21, 2025.

Show pages 25–36
Page 37OCROpen in PDF

Figure 5-1. Effects of Compound Factors

1. Base line: At target landing speed, 50 ft at the threshold crossing height, dry runway, zero wind = 0% increase in AFM/POH landing distance.

2. With a 10-ft increase in threshold crossing height = 200-ft increase in landing distance.

3. With a 10% increase in landing speed = 20% increase in landing distance.

4. Plus a 10 kts tailwind, 21% increase in landing distance.

5. Add 20% for less-than-maximum braking and 200 ft for each second greater than 2 seconds to use deceleration devices.

6. Delay to employ deceleration devices. For each second beyond 2 seconds, add 200 ft to the landing distance

7. Add 15% safety margin to the resultant required runway length.

Total landing distance, including safety margin The End 5,000 ft of runway

5.3 Risk Mitigation.

5.3.1 SOPS. Specific SOPs to prevent a runway overrun are a primary risk mitigation tool.

Once SOPs are developed, it is imperative that the pilot/flightcrew execute them faithfully to mitigate a runway overrun. At a minimum, the SOPs should contain the factors presented in this AC.

5.3.2 Runway Overrun Mitigation Training Curriculum. An effective training program provides the knowledge and skill to increase the pilot's awareness of the factors that can cause a runway overrun. At a minimum, the operator's training program should include the same elements contained in their SOPs. Also, the go-around maneuver and the 5-4

5-5 reasons to initiate a go-around should be part of the training program. (Refer to SAFO 10005.)

5.3.3 Certificated Air Operator’s Flight Checking and Recurrent Training. Checking, testing, and recurrent training that emphasize airplane-landing performance are essential tools to mitigate runway overruns. Pilot examiners, flight and ground instructors, check airmen, and dispatch examiners should specifically stress aeronautical decision-making (ADM), runway overrun risk management, and the elements within this AC as they qualify and train pilots and dispatchers. Instructors and examiners should include runway overrun mitigation strategies during training and checking to ensure the pilot/applicant can apply the principles in a real-world environment.

Appendix A A-1 APPENDIX A. AIRCRAFT BRAKING ACTION REPORT (ABAR) SYSTEMS A.1 Overview. The information in this appendix is intended for consideration by flight operations management personnel responsible for creating policies and procedures regarding the use of automated systems that generate ABAR. As such, it provides background information for management purposes and is not intended as an operational guide for pilots.

A.2 Design Philosophy. An ABAR system is a report given describing a level of braking action using data from the aircraft. It will reflect to what degree the weight of an aircraft can be transferred to a deceleration force via the wheel brakes when the anti-skid activates during a friction-limited event. An ABAR system can be located either remotely or onboard an aircraft and uses the aircraft’s data to produce a standardized indication of wheel braking performance.

A.2.1 ABAR systems are the most accurate and objective means of observing and reporting aircraft braking action. The use of aircraft data to generate an ABAR can mitigate the human errors resulting from inadequate training, inexperience, or cognitive bias that may occur with a Pilot Braking Action Report (PBAR).

A.2.2 The data recorded by the ABAR system during the landing roll is used to:

1. Isolate the mechanical wheel braking forces from all other forces contributing to deceleration, as well as identify when wheel braking is friction limited; and

2. Map those forces in friction-limited conditions to the scale used to make braking action reports.

A.2.3 ABAR systems may come from different vendors and apply to different aircraft. A means of assuring that all systems operate within minimum, industry-based engineering standards, is through demonstrated compliance with ASTM E3266, Standard Guide for Friction-Limited Aircraft Braking Measurements and Reporting. Compliance ensures a minimum degree of confidence in all ABAR systems and facilitates a harmonized communication of wheel braking capability between aircraft with similar performance characteristics. (Refer to Advisory Circular (AC) 25-32, Landing Performance Data for Time-of-Arrival Landing Performance Assessments.)

A.2.4 A ircraft systems may also transmit data that is not visible to the flightcrew. Data not visible to the pilot is not considered part of the ABAR, and may be utilized for other data analysis purposes.

A.3 Aircraft Considerations.

A.3.1 ABAR generating systems are considered applicable to a wide range of aircraft types and manufacturers whose design allows for such an analysis.

A.3.2 ABAR systems installed on aircraft may require appropriate supplemental type certification approval.

Appendix A A-2 A.3.3 ABAR generating systems are designed to be used on aircraft that utilize landing performance data derived in accordance with AC 25-32; International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Doc 10064, Aeroplane Performance Manual; or other equivalent standards.

A.4 Acceptance Criteria for ABAR S ystems.

A.4.1 ABAR systems are not required for certification of transport category aircraft and their intended function is not a regulatory requirement.

A.4.2 Operators who utilize ABAR related technology to transmit information with the label “ABAR,” should only do so if it can be determined that the system meets its intended function and complies with a minimum engineering standard published for such a system.

Entities seeking such a determination for an ABAR producing system should contact their designated FAA representative for guidance.

A.4.3 ASTM E3266 provides a suitable acceptance criterion for operators wishing to transmit information from an ABAR system.

A.5 Confidence of Reports.

A.5.1 ABAR generating systems may rely on aircraft data that is inferred from other sources to calculate the required values. Because these systems may not rely on sensors taking direct measurements of certain values, these systems cannot be calibrated in a manner similar to other flight deck indicators. Therefore, while the ASTM standard sets minimum levels of accuracy and precision for these systems, it should be recognized that there exists a statistical difference between what a system calculates and what a theoretical “real” value could be. For that reason, these systems are described as having a “confidence factor.”

A.5.2 ABAR generating system standards require the systems to demonstrate a confidence factor of 95 percent that the system will fall within one level of braking on the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) five level scale (i.e., good, good to medium, medium, medium to poor, and poor.)

A.6 Development of Operational Guidelines. Operators who utilize an ABAR system to provide and/or use such reports should develop operational guidelines and flightcrew training. This should include submitting Pilot Reports (PIREP) based on ABAR information after landing as well as the use of ABAR reports during TOA assessments.

ABAR systems whose intended function entails timely recognition from the flightcrew should comply with AC 25.1322-1, Flightcrew Alerting.

Note: Pilots and operators need to understand that an ABAR is a decision support tool rather than a decision-making tool. Pilots should use an ABAR as one piece of information along with the current weather, runway surface conditions, and other factors to make the decision as to whether or not it is safe to land.

Appendix A A-3 A.6.1 The following guidelines are considered acceptable for the operational use of information provided by ABAR systems:

1. When an ABAR confirms the accuracy of the Runway Condition Code (RwyCC)

(i.e., both values are the same), the time of arrival (TOA) landing distance assessment should be based on this confirmed value; and

2. When an ABAR and the reported RwyCC disagree (i.e., one value indicates worse runway conditions than the other), the TOA landing distance assessment should be based on the worse (most conservative) report.

Advisory Circular Feedback Form If you find an error in this AC, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by contacting the Air Transportation Division at 9-AFS-200-Correspondence@faa.gov, the General Aviation and Commercial Division at 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov, or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFB-120-Directives@faa.gov.

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