Modeling take-off performance using only information from the airplane pilot operating handbook

The objective of this thesis was to develop a method of predicting the take-off ground roll performance of airplanes which was dependent only on the data available in the aircraft pilot operating handbook (POH). This goal was accomplished by the use of the acceleration model developed in this thesis. In order to adapt this model for use with the limited information in a pilot's operating handbook, it was necessary to devise certain techniques that would determine the forces acting on the airplane during its take-off run. The most dominant of these forces, thrust, was modeled for both propeller-driven and jet-propelled aircraft by using the classical momentum theory with an improved factor of 1.15 in the induced power term. This technique for determining thrust, as well as those techniques chosen to predict drag, lift, and rolling friction, made the acceleration model dependent solely on the information given in the POH.

The comparison of predicted values to handbook data was then made by reducing the predicted static thrust to match the POH data at one point; namely, the take-off distance at maximum weight and standard sea level conditions was chosen. This corrected static thrust was then used to predict take-off distances for different weights, weather conditions and runways. The acceleration model developed in this thesis was applied to four different types of airplanes: 1) piston; 2) turbocharged piston; 3) turboprop; and ) turbofan engine aircraft. For all four airplanes tested, the use of the acceleration model resulted in predicted take-off distances which were within 12/i of the handbook values.