Improved Climb

Performance
Performance Engineer
Engineer Operations
Operations
Flight
Flight Operations
Operations Engineering
Engineering

Tom
Tom Ruckman
Ruckman

November
November 2001
2001
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Improved Climb

• What is Improved Climb?

• How is Improved Climb Used?

–– Airplane
Airplane Flight
Flight Manual
Manual (AFM)
(AFM)
–– Operations
Operations Manual
Manual (OM)
(OM) // Flight
Flight Planning
Planning &
& Performance
Performance Manual
Manual
(FPPM)
(FPPM)

• Operational Considerations

• Other Methods of “Improving” Climb Performance

W004b. 2
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

What is Improved Climb?

• Improved Climb is a tool available to the
Performance Engineer to optimize the aircraft
takeoff performance resulting in increased takeoff
weights.

V1 Policy

Flaps
Bleed

Improved Climb

W004b. 3
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

5 Factors Determining Performance Limited

Takeoff Gross Weight

1. Field Length
2. Climb
3. Tire Speed
4. Brake Energy
5. Obstacle

W004b. 4
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

5 Factors Determining Performance Limited

Takeoff Gross Weight

1. Field Length
2. Climb
3. Tire Speed
4. Brake Energy
5. Obstacle

W004b. 5
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Field Length Limited Weight

• Weight at which following an engine failure just

prior to V1 the aircraft continues accelerating, with
one engine inoperative, and reaches a height of 35
feet at the end of the runway.

Available Runway Length

W004b. 6
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Field Length Limited Weight

• Weight at which following an engine failure just

prior to V1 the aircraft continues accelerating, with
one engine inoperative, and reaches a height of 35
feet at the end of the runway.

35 Feet

Available Runway Length

W004b. 7
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Field Length Limited Weight

35 Feet

Available Runway Length

• FAR Part 25.107 defines the minimum speed

required at the 35 foot height as highest of:
• 1.13*Vs1g
• 1.10*Vmca
• Vr + acceleration to 35 feet

W004b. 8
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Field Length Limited Weight

35 Feet

Available Runway Length

Distance (S) = f{ a, V }

• Takeoff Distance is f{ Thrust, Config, Weight }:

• sets acceleration
• sets V2 speed

W004b. 9
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Takeoff Weight Capability

To maximize Field Length limit weight:
- need large acceleration
Runway
Runway
Length
Length - low Takeoff Safety Speed, V2
Required
Required

Flap
Flap 15
15
¦ Field
Field Limit
Limit

Takeoff
Takeoff Gross
Gross Weight
Weight

W004b. 10
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

5 Factors Determining Performance Limited

Takeoff Gross Weight

1. Field Length
2. Climb
3. Tire Speed
4. Brake Energy
5. Obstacle

W004b. 11
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Climb Limited Weight

• Weight at which following an engine failure just

prior to V1 the aircraft continues accelerating, with
one engine inoperative, and has the minimum
regulatory climb gradient capability upon reaching
the gear up point.

Available Runway Length

W004b. 12
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Climb Limited Weight

• Weight at which following an engine failure just

prior to V1 the aircraft continues accelerating, with
one engine inoperative, and has the minimum
regulatory climb gradient capability upon reaching
the gear up point.

35 Feet

Available Runway Length

W004b. 13
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Climb Limited Weight

35 Feet

Available Runway Length

• FAR Part 25.107 defines the minimum speed

required at the 35 foot height as highest of:
• 1.13*Vs1g
• 1.10*Vmca
• Vr + acceleration to 35 feet

W004b. 14
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Takeoff Weight Capability

Runway
Runway
Length
Length

Flap
Flap 15
15
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit

Takeoff
Takeoff Gross
Gross Weight
Weight

W004b. 15
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Takeoff Weight Capability

Flap
Flap 11
Climb
Climb Flap
Flap 11
Limit
Limit Field
Field Limit
Limit

Runway
Runway Flap
Flap 55
Length
Length Field
Field Limit
Limit

Flap
Flap 15
15
Flap
Flap 55 Field
Field Limit
Limit
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit

Flap
Flap 15
15
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit

Takeoff
Takeoff Gross
Gross Weight
Weight

W004b. 16
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Climb Limited Weight

• A Climb Limited Takeoff Weight results in not

using all the Available Runway Length

35 Feet

Available Runway Length

Actual Runway Length

Unused Runway
Length Available

W004b. 17
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Takeoff Weight Capability

Flap
Flap 11
Climb
Climb Flap
Flap 11
Limit
Limit Field
Field Limit
Limit

Runway
Runway Flap
Flap 55
Length
Length Field
Field Limit
Limit
Required
Required

Flap
Flap 15
15
Flap
Flap 55 Field
Field Limit
Limit
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit

Flap
Flap 15
15
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit

Takeoff
Takeoff Gross
Gross Weight
Weight
Unused
Unused Takeoff
Takeoff Weight
Weight Capability
Capability
W004b. 18
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Definition of Climb Gradient

Thrust Drag
-
Weight Lift
Climb Gradient (Grad) =
1 + Accel Factor

Where: Thrust is How Much Push We Have

Drag is How Much We Have to Push
Lift is How Much We Can Carry
Weight is How Much We Have to Carry

W004b. 19
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Definition of Climb Gradient

Thrust Drag
-
Weight Lift
Climb Gradient (Grad) =
1 + Accel Factor

Thrust (Fn) is f{ Alt, Temp, Speed }

Drag is f{ Alt, Temp, Config, Speed }
Weight (Wgt) is a constant
Lift is f{ Wgt }
Accel Factor is f{ Alt, Temp, Speed }

For a given condition, Grad will vary as a function of Speed

W004b. 20
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Climb Gradient Terms versus Speed

• 11 ++ Accel
Accel

Climb
Climb
Gradient
Gradient

•
Terms
Terms
Thrust
Thrust
Weight
Weight

Drag
Drag

•
Lift
Lift

V22 Speed
V Speed
Speed
Speed
W004b. 21
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Lift Coefficient Required versus Speed

Lift = CLRequired
Required
* 0.5 * ρ * Speed22

Lift
CLRequired
Required
=
0.5 * ρ * Speed22
Lift
Lift Coefficient
Coefficient
Required,
Required, C CLL Required
Required

V22 Speed
V Speed Speed
Speed
W004b. 22
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Lift-Drag Relationship

Drag
Drag Coefficient,C
Coefficient,CDD

V
C
CDD for
for
V22 Speed
Speed •

Increasing
Increasing Speed
Speed

Lift
Lift Coefficient,
Coefficient, C
CLL C
CLL for
for
V Speed
V22 Speed

W004b. 23
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Climb Gradient Versus Speed

•
Best
Best Gradient
Gradient
Grad
Grad

•
Optimum
Optimum Climb
Climb Speed
Speed

V22 Speed
V Speed Speed
Speed

Increasing
Increasing Climb
Climb Speed
Speed may
may improve
improve climb
climb gradient
gradient capability
capability

W004b. 24
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Climb Gradient Versus Speed

Grad
Grad
Required
Required Gradient
Gradient Weight
Weight 11

Increasing
Increasing

Weight
Weight 22

V22 Speed
V Speed Speed
Speed

Increasing
Increasing Climb
Climb Speed
Speed may:
may:
-- improve
improve climb
climb gradient
gradient capability
capability for
for given
given weight
weight ,, or
or
-- allow
allow higher
higher weight
weight for
for fixed
fixed gradient
gradient
W004b. 25
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Climb Limited Weight Without Improved Climb

35 Feet

Available Runway Length

Actual Runway Length

Unused Runway
V1 VR V2
Length Available

W004b. 26
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Climb Limited Weight With Improved Climb

35 Feet

Available Runway Length

Actual Runway Length

Unused Runway
V
V11 with
with VVRR with
with V
V22 with
with Length Available
Improved
Improved Improved
Improved Improved
Improved
Climb
Climb Climb
Climb Climb
Climb

W004b. 27
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Field
Field Limit
Limit CRL
CRL
And
And Climb
Climb Limit
Limit CRL
CRL
Actual
Actual Takeoff
Takeoff With
With Improved
Climb
Climb Limit CRLClimb
Limit CRL
Improved Climb
Distance
Distance Available
Available
With
Climb
Climb Improved
WithLimit
Limit CRL Climb
CRL
Improved Climb
Climb
Climb
With Limit CRL
Limit CRLClimb
With Improved
Improved Climb
Engine-Out
Engine-Out With Improved Climb
With Improved Climb
Takeoff
Takeoff Climb
Climb Limit
Limit CRL
CRL
Distance
Distance

Actual
Actual Accel/Stop
Accel/Stop
Distance
Distance Available
Available

Accel/Stop
Accel/Stop Distance
Distance

W004b. 28
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Field
Field Limit
Limit CRL
CRL
Actual
Actual Takeoff
Takeoff
Distance
Distance Available
Available

Engine-Out
Engine-Out
Takeoff
Takeoff Climb
Climb Limit
Limit CRL
CRL
Distance
Distance

Actual
Actual Accel/Stop
Accel/Stop
Distance
Distance Available
Available

Accel/Stop
Accel/Stop Distance
Distance

W004b. 29
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Field
Field Limit
Limit CRL
CRL
And
And Climb
Climb Limit
Limit CRL
CRL
Actual
Actual Takeoff
Takeoff With
With Improved
Improved Climb
Climb
Distance
Distance Available
Available

Engine-Out
Engine-Out
Takeoff
Takeoff Climb
Climb Limit
Limit CRL
CRL
Distance
Distance

Actual
Actual Accel/Stop
Accel/Stop
Distance
Distance Available
Available

Accel/Stop
Accel/Stop Distance
Distance

W004b. 30
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Determination of Improved Climb Limited

Weight

•
Field
Field Limit
Limit Weight
Weight

•
• •
Weight
Weight • •
• •
•
• • •
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit Weight
Weight

00 11 22 33 44 55
Speed
Speed Increase
Increase
W004b. 31
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Determination of Improved Climb Limited

Weight
Field
Field Limit
Limit Weight
Weight

Improved
Improved Climb
Climb
Weight
Weight

•
Limit Weight
Limit Weight

Improved
Improved Climb
Climb
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit Weight
Weight Speed
Speed Increase
Increase

00 11 22 33 44 55
Speed
Speed Increase
Increase
W004b. 32
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Takeoff Weight Capability With Improved Climb

Flap
Flap 15
15
¦ Improved
Flap
Flap 15
15 Improved Climb
Climb
(Field
(Field + Climb Limited)
+ Climb Limited)
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit

Runway
Runway
Length
Length
Required
Required ¦

Flap
Flap 15
15
Field
Field Limit
Limit
¦
¦
¦
¦
¦
¦
¦

Takeoff
Takeoff Gross
Gross Weight
Weight

W004b. 33
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Takeoff Weight Capability With Improved Climb

Flap
Flap 11
Climb
Climb Flap
Flap 11
Limit
Limit Field
Field Limit
Limit

Runway
Runway Flap
Flap 55
Length
Length Field
Field Limit
Limit

Flap
Flap 15
15
Flap
Flap 55 Field
Field Limit
Limit
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit

Flap
Flap 15
15
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit

Takeoff
Takeoff Gross
Gross Weight
Weight

W004b. 34
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Development of AFM Improved Climb Limit

Weight Chart Format

Field
Field Limit
Limit Weight
Weight

Weight
Weight

Climb
Climb Limit
Limit Weight
Weight

00 11 22 33 44 55
Speed
Speed Increase
Increase
W004b. 35
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

AFM Improved Climb Limit Weight Chart

Format

W004b. 36
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

AFM Improved Climb Limit Weight Chart

Format

W004b. 37
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

AFM Improved Climb Limit Weight Chart

Format

W004b. 38
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Use of AFM Improved Climb Limit Weight Chart

Field Length Limit = 78,000 Kgs

Climb Limit = 66,000 Kgs

70,500
70,500 Kgs
Kgs

12.8
12.8 Units
Units

W004b. 39
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

AFM Improved Climb Speeds Chart Format

W004b. 40
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Use of AFM Improved Climb Speeds Chart

Speed
Speed With
With
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Speed
Speed Without
Without
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Improved
Improved
Climb
Climb Units
Units

W004b. 41
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Development of Operations Manual Improved

Climb Chart Format
Field Length Limit = 78,000 Kgs

Climb Limit = 66,000 Kgs

Field
Field Length
Length Limit
Limit Weight
Weight
Minus
Minus
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit Weight
Weight

Climb
Climb Weight
Weight Improvement
Improvement

W004b. 42
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Operations Manual Improved Climb Chart

Format

W004b. 43
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Use of Operations Manual Improved Climb Chart

Delta
4300 Wgt
kg Delta
16 V1
knots
Delta
15VR, V2
knots

W004b. 44
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

5 Factors Determining Performance Limited

Takeoff Gross Weight

1. Field Length
2. Climb
3. Tire Speed
4. Brake Energy
5. Obstacle

W004b. 45
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Tire Speed Limited Weight

• Weight at which the maximum speed reached on

the ground does not exceed the rated speed limit
of the tire.

Available Runway Length

W004b. 46
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Tire Speed Limited Weight

• Weight at which the maximum speed reached on

the ground does not exceed the rated speed limit
of the tire.

35 Feet

Available Runway Length

W004b. 47
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Determination of Tire Speed Limited Weight

Flap
Flap 55
Lift-Off
Lift-Off
Speed
Speed ¦

Tire
Tire Limit
Limit Speed
Speed ¦

Tire
Tire Speed
Speed Limit
Limit Weight
Weight
¦
Takeoff
Takeoff Gross
Gross Weight
Weight

W004b. 48
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

AFM Improved Climb Limit Weight Chart

Format

W004b. 49
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

AFM Improved Climb Limit Weight Chart

Format

W004b. 50
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

5 Factors Determining Performance Limited

Takeoff Gross Weight

1. Field Length
2. Climb
3. Tire Speed
4. Brake Energy
5. Obstacle

W004b. 51
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Obstacle Limited Weight

• Weight at which following an engine failure just
prior to V1 the aircraft continues accelerating, with
one engine inoperative, and the net flight path
clears all obstacles by at least 35 feet.
Gross
Gross

Net
Net

35
35 Feet
Feet

W004b. 52
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Obstacle Limited Weight

• Obstacle limited weight performance with
Improved Climb is a trade between increased
takeoff distance and improved climb gradient
capability.
Gross
• Weight improvement, if any, is dependent on Gross

obstacle location. Net

Net

35
35 Feet
Feet

Normal
Normal Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

W004b. 53
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Operational Considerations

• Anti-skid must be operative and ON

• FMS V-speeds are NOT valid

• Operations Manual V-speeds are not valid without

making FPPM Improved Climb speed adjustments

W004b. 54
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Other Methods of Improved Climb Performance

Flap
Flap 11
Dial-A-Flap System
Flap
Flap 22
Runway
Runway
Length Flap
Flap 33
Length
Flap
Flap 44

Flap
Flap 55

Flap
Flap 66

Flap
Flap 77

Flap
Flap 88

Takeoff
Takeoff Gross
Gross Weight
Weight

W004b. 55
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem

Airplane
Airplane == 737-400
737-400
Engines
Engines == CFM56-3-B2
CFM56-3-B2
Flaps
Flaps == 55 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb Weight
Weight
Slope
Slope == 0.5%
0.5%
Airconditioning
Airconditioning == Auto
Auto
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
V11
Anti-Skid
Anti-Skid == ON
ON Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
VRR
OAT
OAT == 30
30 Deg
Deg CC
Wind
Wind == 00 Kts
Kts
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
V22
Altitude
Altitude == 3000
3000 ft
ft
Obstacles
Obstacles == None
None
V1/Vr
V1/Vr Ratio
Ratio
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 57,000
57,000 kg
kg
Field
Field Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 62,000
62,000 kg
kg
Tire
Tire Speed
Speed Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 69,000
69,000 kg
kg

W004b. 56
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (AFM Format)

W004b. 57
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (AFM Format)

59,150 kg

6.2
6.2 Units
Units

W004b. 58
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (AFM Format)

W004b. 59
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (AFM Format)

60,150 kg

10
10 Units
Units

W004b. 60
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (AFM Format)

Airplane
Airplane == 737-400
737-400
Engines
Engines == CFM56-3-B2
CFM56-3-B2
Flaps
Flaps == 55 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb Weight
Weight 59,150
59,150 kg
kg
Slope
Slope == 0.5%
0.5%
Airconditioning
Airconditioning == Auto
Auto
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
V11
Anti-Skid
Anti-Skid == ON
ON Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
VRR
OAT
OAT == 30
30 Deg
Deg CC
Wind
Wind == 00 Kts
Kts
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
V22
Altitude
Altitude == 3000
3000 ft
ft
Obstacles
Obstacles == None
None
V1/Vr
V1/Vr Ratio
Ratio
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 57,000
57,000 kg
kg
Field
Field Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 62,000
62,000 kg
kg
Tire
Tire Speed
Speed Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 69,000
69,000 kg
kg

W004b. 61
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (AFM Format)

154
148

146

W004b. 62
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (AFM Format)

161.5
156
153

W004b. 63
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (AFM Format)

170.5

W004b. 64
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (AFM Format)

Airplane
Airplane == 737-400
737-400
Engines
Engines == CFM56-3-B2
CFM56-3-B2
Flaps
Flaps == 55 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb Weight
Weight 59,200
59,200 kg
kg
Slope
Slope == 0.5%
0.5%
Airconditioning Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
V11 153
153 Kt
Kt
Airconditioning == Auto
Auto
Anti-Skid
Anti-Skid == ON
ON Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
VRR 156
156 Kt
Kt
OAT
OAT == 30
30 Deg
Deg CC
Wind
Wind == 00 Kts
Kts
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
V22 161.5
161.5 Kt
Kt
Altitude
Altitude == 3000
3000 ft
ft
Obstacles
Obstacles == None
None
V1/Vr
V1/Vr Ratio
Ratio
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 57,000
57,000 kg
kg
Field
Field Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 62,000
62,000 kg
kg
Tire
Tire Speed
Speed Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 69,000
69,000 kg
kg

W004b. 65
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (FPPM Format)

W004b. 66
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (FPPM Format)

2075
2075 kgs
kgs

5.9
5.9 knots
knots 7.1
7.1 knots
knots

W004b. 67
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (FPPM Format)

W004b. 68
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (FPPM Format)

2850
2850 kgs
kgs

9.2
9.2 knots
knots 10
10 knots
knots

W004b. 69
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (FPPM Format)

W004b. 70
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (FPPM Format)

0.5
0.5 Knots
Knots

145
145 Knots
Knots 154
154 Knots
Knots

148
148 Knots
Knots

W004b. 71
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (FPPM Format)

W004b. 72
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (FPPM Format)

1.0
1.0

169.3
169.3

W004b. 73
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (FPPM Format)

Calculation of Improved Climb Takeoff Weight

Climb
Climb Limit
Limit Weight
Weight 57,000
57,000 kg
kg
Climb
Climb Weight
Weight Improvement
Improvement 2,075
2,075 kg
kg

Improved
Improved Climb
Climb Takeoff
Takeoff Weight
Weight 59,075
59,075 kg
kg

Calculation of Improved Climb Takeoff Speeds

V
V11 V
VRR V
V22
Base
Base Speeds
Speeds 145
145 148
148 154
154
Slope
Slope Correction
Correction 0.5
0.5
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb Correction
Correction 5.9
5.9 7.1
7.1 7.1
7.1

Improved
Improved Climb
Climb Takeoff
Takeoff Speeds
Speeds (knots)
(knots) 151.4
151.4 155.1
155.1 161.1
161.1

W004b. 74
 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb

Example Problem (FPPM Format)

Airplane
Airplane == 737-400
737-400
Engines
Engines == CFM56-3-B2
CFM56-3-B2
Flaps
Flaps == 55 Improved
Improved Climb
Climb Weight
Weight 59,075
59,075 kg
kg
Slope
Slope == 0.5%
0.5%
Airconditioning Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
V11 151.5
151.5 Kt
Kt
Airconditioning == Auto
Auto
Anti-Skid
Anti-Skid == ON
ON Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
VRR 155
155 Kt
Kt
OAT
OAT == 30
30 Deg
Deg CC
Wind
Wind == 00 Kts
Kts
Improved
Improved Climb
Climb V
V22 161
161 Kt
Kt
Altitude
Altitude == 3000
3000 ft
ft
Obstacles
Obstacles == None
None
V1/Vr
V1/Vr Ratio
Ratio
Climb
Climb Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 57,000
57,000 kg
kg
Field
Field Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 62,000
62,000 kg
kg
Tire
Tire Speed
Speed Limit
Limit Weight
Weight == 69,000
69,000 kg
kg

W004b. 75
Improved Climb
Performance
Performance Engineer
Engineer Operations
Operations
Flight
Flight Operations
Operations Engineering
Engineering

Tom
Tom Ruckman
Ruckman

November
November 2001
2001