ACRP Problem Statement 17-03-14 Recommended Allocation: $250,000

Planning Guidebook of Aircraft Characteristics

ACRP Staff Comments

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TRB Aviation Committee Comments

AIRCRAFT/AIRPORT COMPATIBILITY: FAA publications, such as AC 150/5300-13A Airport Design,

already catalog aircraft dimensions.

Review Panel Recommendation and Comments

Recommended. The panel recommends the proposed research, as this information will be useful to the intended
audience, particularly as it affects smaller airports.

AOC Disposition

This problem statement received an average rating of 2.7 points out of a possible 5 points among voting AOC
members. There was no discussion. No funds were allocated.
 ACRP Problem Number 17-03-14

1. PROBLEM STATEMENT TITLE

Planning Guidebook of Aircraft Characteristics

2. BACKGROUND
The physical and operational characteristics of an aircraft are the basis for airport
design. As Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5300-13
has evolved, more aircraft characteristics are considered during the planning and
design of airfields. The Aircraft Approach Category (AAC) for a runway is based on the
reference landing speed of the design aircraft (operational characteristic) while the
Runway Design Code (RDC) is based on the aircraft wingspan and tail height (physical
characteristics). Taxiway design is based on both the Airplane Design Group (ADG)
which considers the aircraft wingspan as well as Taxiway Design Group (TDG) which
considers the aircraft gear configuration (main gear width and cockpit to main gear
spacing).

There are currently two main sources of data available from the FAA and several
sources of data available from private companies. The two FAA sources include
Appendix 1 in AC 150/5300-13 and the Aircraft Characteristics database available for
download from the FAA website
(www.faa.gov/airports/engineering/aircraft_char_database/media/aircraft-char-
122009.xls). Appendix 1 from AC 150/5300-13 contains information on approximately
120 aircraft. The information includes the AAC, ADG, TDG, wingspan, tail height,
length, Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW), main gear spacing, cockpit to main gear spacing
and approach speed. Appendix 1 does not contain all of the information for each of
the 120 aircraft. Many of aircraft are missing certain characteristics; most commonly
approach speed or landing gear information. The Aircraft Characteristics database
contains information on approximately 380 aircraft however it contains less detailed
information than Appendix 1. The database is dated from 2009 and contains the
approach speed, wingspan, tail height, MTOW and Airport Reference Code (ARC) which
is now referred to as ADG. It should be noted the data given between the two sources
is not consistent. As an example, some aircraft have different approach speeds listed
in each publication. The FAA has noted for several years that an online database of
aircraft characteristics will be available.

In addition to the information provided by the FAA, additional data is also available
from private companies including Transoft who provides several software products and
Burns & McDonnell who publishes manuals with some of the data and also maintains an
online database with limited access. Some aircraft manufacturers also provide data on
 their aircraft. Lastly, Wikipedia and airliners.net also has unverified information on
many aircraft.

The characteristics of the design aircraft have a significant influence on the physical
layout and clearing requirements at an airfield. The characteristics of an aircraft drive
everything from runway and taxiway pavement width to runway to parallel taxiway
separation. Considering the impact and cost of upgrading an airport to meet the
requirements of a new critical aircraft, it is imperative the characteristics of the
aircraft are readily available. Many decisions are currently being made with
incomplete information. In addition, airports routinely receive requests from transient
aircraft who wish to use their facility. A single reference with the characteristics
would help an airport manager or operations personnel to quickly evaluate whether
their facilities can accommodate a specific aircraft.

3. OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research is to compile a guidebook of aircraft characteristics.
The characteristics would include at a minimum AAC, ADG, TDG, wingspan, tail height,
length, Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW), main gear spacing, cockpit to main gear spacing
and approach speed. This guidebook could be periodically updated as additional
information becomes available.

4. PROPOSED TASKS
The main tasks include compilation of existing information on the physical and
operational aircraft characteristics. Significant effort may be required to determine
the approach speed of the aircraft. This information may be available from the FAA
aircraft certification process.

• Define aircraft characteristics to be inventoried.

• Review existing sources of aircraft characteristics.
• Compile existing sources
• Validate existing information.
• Identify missing or incomplete information.
• Research additional sources of missing and/or incomplete information.
• Compile existing and additional information into guidebook/database.

5. ESTIMATED FUNDING
$250,000

6. ESTIMATED RESEARCH DURATION

18 months.

7. RELATED RESEARCH
 Several sources of existing data are listed in the background section of this document.
In addition, as stated in the introduction to Appendix 1 of AC 150/5300-13, the FAA is
working on an online database of aircraft characteristics. This database could be used
as source for the guidebook or this research could be used to help complete the online
database. It should be noted the reference to work on an online database of aircraft
characteristics has been in the AC since 2012 and to date no database has been
published.

8. PROCESS USED TO DEVELOP THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

This problem statement was developed in collaboration with FAA personnel,
consultants and airports during airport planning and design projects. Several projects
discovered discrepancies or missing characteristics (typically approach speed) which
had significant impacts on key decisions.

9. PERSON SUBMITTING PROBLEM STATEMENT AND DATE

Nathan Cuvala, Project Manager and Planner
T-O Engineers
2471 S. Titanium Place
Meridian, ID 83642
ncuvala@to-engineers.com
(208) 323-2288