Why the FAA Urges Pilots to Verify Runway Length Sources Now.
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
The FAA issued a safety alert urging pilots to rely only on official Chart Supplement data and declared distances for accurate runway length calculations, preventing performance errors.
Key Takeaways
- •FAA issued an Information for Operators (InFO) warning against using unofficial runway length data for performance calculations.
- •The caution emphasizes that pilots must use the official Chart Supplement and pay attention to declared distances (TORA, LDA, etc.).
- •Using the physical runway length instead of the shorter declared distances can lead to serious performance errors and increase the risk of runway overrun.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a critical warning to operators and pilots. This FAA runway length caution addresses the source data used for aircraft performance calculations. The agency noted that many pilots are using incorrect runway length data. This type of error can lead to inaccurate performance calculations. Ultimately, this increases the runway overrun risk.
The Critical Difference in Runway Data
The FAA guidance emphasizes that runway information varies by source. Not all published lengths are suitable for regulatory runway performance calculations. For example, some commercial flight publications display the physical runway length. Airport diagrams are designed for ground movement, not for obtaining accurate distance information. Onboard databases and flight management systems may also be outdated. They might not reflect the actual runway available for use.
Official FAA Data Sources
The agency strongly recommends that pilots use Chart Supplement data. This is the official FAA publication for airport information. The data is drawn directly from official FAA Form 5010 airport records. Pilots should reference the appropriate Chart Supplement for preflight planning. This ensures the use of accurate runway information.
Focus on Declared Distances
The most important part of the warning is the use of declared runway distances. These are the official lengths an airport declares available for use. They are necessary for meeting an airplane's regulatory performance requirements. The FAA advises operators to pay particular attention to these values. Declared distances may be shorter than the physical runway length. This reduction can be due to obstacles or a displaced threshold.
Key declared distances include:
- Takeoff Run Available (TORA): The distance available for the ground run during takeoff.
- Takeoff Distance Available (TODA): TORA plus the length of any clearway.
- Accelerate-Stop Distance Available (ASDA): TORA plus the length of any stopway.
- Landing Distance Available (LDA): The runway length declared available for a landing aircraft.
If declared distances are not separately listed, they are generally assumed to equal the runway's physical length. However, the LDA is always reduced by any displaced threshold. Pilots should never attempt to calculate declared distances independently.
Impact on Flight Planning Safety
This guidance is vital for flight planning safety. Using the full physical length when the LDA is shorter creates a major safety hazard. It can cause an aircraft to miscalculate the required stopping distance. The FAA's related guidance in the Aeronautical Information Manual reinforces this point. Declared distances provide standardized values for performance planning. Commercial operators are required to comply with these specifications. All pilots must prioritize official FAA data sources to maintain the highest safety standards.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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