Flying Notes

Appearance

Performance and Limitations ​

This page covers Task F. Performance and Limitations from the FAA-S-ACS-6C Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards.

Use of Charts, Tables, and Data to Determine Performance ​

  • See Section 5 of aircraft POH for performance information
  • Key phases of flight, performance charts to consult, and how they impact decision making
    • Takeoff and climbout
      • Is there enough runway to safely takeoff?
      • Is climb performance sufficient to clear surrounding terrain?
    • Cruise and fuel burn
      • Ensure enough fuel is available to complete flight
      • Determine duration of flight to know which weather forecasts to reference
    • Landing
      • Is there enough runway to safely land?

Factors Affecting Performance ​

Atmospheric Conditions ​

  • High density altitude affects T/O, landing, climb rate
  • Wind

Pilot Technique ​

  • Achieving the performance calculated during preflight planning is dependent on the pilot flying the aircraft as directed

Airplane Configuration ​

  • Achieving the performance calculated during preflight planning is dependent on the pilot configuring the aircraft as directed

Airport Environment ​

  • Runway surface
    • e.g. paved, grass
  • Runway slope

Loading and Weight and Balance ​

Effects of CG movement.
  • CG too far forward
    • Longer takeoff distance
    • Higher stalling speed
    • Reduced elevator effectiveness
    • Increased stability
    • Reduced fuel economy and speed
    • Limit imposed by making sure enough elevator authority to hold the aircraft in normal glide with power off / aircraft's landing characteristics are suitable.
  • CG too far rearward
    • Worse than too far forward
    • Unstable
    • Reduced elevator effectiveness
      • May not be able to recover from a spin
    • Limit imposed by stability (making sure aircraft has correct damping) / stall recovery

Aerodynamics ​

  • TBD