19/08/2021 Boeing 737 Limitations

Limitations
Home > Aircraft Systems > Limitations

Contents

Operational
Flight Manoeuvring Load Acceleration Limits
Altitude Display Limits for RVSM Operations
Air Systems
Anti-Ice & Rain
Airstairs
APU
Autopilot/Flight Director System
Communications
HUD System
Electrics
Flight Controls
Flight Management, Navigation
Fuel
Hydraulic Power
Landing Gear
Performance Data Computer System
Pneumatics
Power Plant
Wind Limits
Contaminated Runways

Note: Not all limitations given here are

AFM
 

Operational

Runway slope limits +/-2%

Max takeoff / landing tailwind component 10kts (May be 15kts as customer option)

No tailwind component allowed on contaminated runways.

Max windspeed for taxing 65kts

Turbulent airspeed 1/200: 280kts/.70M

3/500: 280kts/.73M

6/900: 280kts/.76M

Max operating altitude 1/500: 37,000ft

NG & MAX: 41,000ft

Maximum Takeoff and Landing Altitude 8,400ft (12,000ft high altitude option)

Max precipitation depth for takeoff or landing Dry snow 60mm

Water, wet snow, slush 13mm. (AFM=15mm)

www.b737.org.uk/limitations.htm 1/9
19/08/2021 Boeing 737 Limitations
Max demonstrated crosswind 1/200: 31kts

3/500: 35kts

NG: 36kts

6/900 winglets: 33kts

Flight Manoeuvring Load Acceleration Limits (AFM)

Flaps up +2.5g to -1.0g

Flaps down +2.0g to 0.0g

Altitude Display Limits for RVSM Operations

Standby altimeters do not meet altimeter accuracy requirements of RVSM airspace.

The maximum allowable in-flight difference between Captain and First Officer altitude displays for RVSM operations
is 200 feet.

The maximum allowable on-the-ground altitude display differences for RVSM operations are:

737-1/500

Max Diff between Max Diff between Captain or

Field Elevation
Captain & F/O F/O and Field Elevation
Sea Level 40 ft 75 ft
5,000ft 45 ft 75 ft
10,000ft 50 ft 75 ft

737 NG

Max Diff between Max Diff between Captain or

Field Elevation
Captain & F/O F/O and Field Elevation
Sea Level to 5,000ft 50 ft 75 ft
5,001 to 10,000ft 60 ft 75 ft

Weight Limitations

    Too many taxi, takeoff, landing & zero fuel limitations to list here.

Air Systems

Max cabin differential pressure (relief valves) 1/500:

8.65 psi

6/900:
9.10 psi

Max cabin diff for takeoff & landing 0.125 psi (236ft below airport PA)

One pack may be inoperative provided FL250

maximum altitude is limited to

With engine bleed air switches ON, do not operate the air conditioning packs in HIGH
for takeoff, approach or landing.

 
www.b737.org.uk/limitations.htm 2/9
19/08/2021 Boeing 737 Limitations
Anti-Ice & Rain

Engine anti-ice must be on during all ground and flight operations when icing
conditions exist or are anticipated, except during climb and cruise below -40°C SAT.

Engine anti-ice must be on prior to and during descent in all icing conditions, including
temperatures below -40°C SAT.

Do not use wing anti-ice on the ground when the OAT is above 10C.

737-1/200:

Minimum N1 for operating in icing conditions except for landing: 40% when TAT
between 0 and 10C; 55% when TAT below 0C; 70% in moderate to severe icing
conditions when TAT below -6.5C.

Window heat inop: max speed 250kts below 10,000ft.

Gravel Protect switch: ANTI-ICE position when using engine inlet anti-ice.

737-6/900 without stiffened elevator tabs:

After any ground deicing/anti-icing of the horizontal stabilizer using Type II or Type IV
fluids, airspeed must be limited to 270 KIAS until the crew has been informed that
applicable maintenance procedures have been accomplished that would allow
exceedance of 270 KIAS. Once the applicable maintenance procedures have been
accomplished, exceeding 270 KIAS is permissible only until the next application of
Type II or Type IV deicing/anti-icing fluids.

Airstairs

Max windspeed for operation 40kts

May remain extended in winds up to 60kts

APU

Max EGT 760°C

Max continuous EGT 710°C

Max alt using bleed and electrics 10,000ft

Max alt using bleed only 17,000ft

Max alt using electrics only 35,000ft Garrett

37,000ft Sundstrand

41,000ft 737-NG & MAX

Failed start wait times:

Garrett: No wait after 1st attempt

5mins after 2nd attempt

1hr after 3rd attempt

Sundstrand: 3 attempts then 30min wait

www.b737.org.uk/limitations.htm 3/9
19/08/2021 Boeing 737 Limitations

APU bleed valve must be closed when:

Ground air connected and isolation valve open

Engine no. 1 bleed valve open
Isolation and engine no. 2 bleed valves open.

APU bleed valve may be open during engine start, but avoid engine power above idle.

Autopilot/Flight Director System

1/200:

Use of autopilot not authorised for takeoff or landing.

Do not use the autopilot roll channel above 30,000ft with yaw damper inoperative.

Do not use autopilot pitch channel above 0.81M with hydraulic system A or B
depressurised.

Do not use ALT HOLD mode when Captain's alternate static source is selected.

3/500:

Use of aileron trim with autopilot engaged is prohibited.

Do not engage the autopilot for takeoff below 1000ft AGL.

For single channel operation, the autopilot shall not be engaged below 50ft AGL.

Maximum allowable wind speeds, when conducting a dual channel Cat II or Cat III
landing predicated on autoland operations, are:

Headwind 25 knots
Crosswind 25 knots
Tailwind: 10knots

Maximum and minimum glideslope angles are 3.25 degrees and 2.5 degrees
respectively.

Autoland capability may only be used with flaps 30 or 40 and both engines operative.

6/900:

Use of aileron trim with autopilot engaged is prohibited.

Do not engage the autopilot for takeoff below 400ft AGL.

For single channel operation during approach, the autopilot shall not remain engaged
below 50ft AGL.

The autopilot must be disengaged before the airplane descends more than 50 feet
below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) unless it is coupled to an ILS glide slope
and localizer or in the go-around mode. (JAA Rule).

Maximum allowable wind speeds, when conducting a dual channel Cat II or Cat III
landing predicated on autoland operations, are:
. Headwind 25 knots

. Crosswind 25 knots

. Tailwind: Varies between 0 and 15kts depending upon field elevation and flap setting.

Maximum and minimum glideslope angles are 3.25 degrees and 2.5 degrees
respectively.

www.b737.org.uk/limitations.htm 4/9
19/08/2021 Boeing 737 Limitations
Autoland capability may only be used with flaps 30 or 40 and both engines operative.

Communications

Do not use VHF-3 (if installed for voice communication) for ATC communications with ACARS operational.

Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System

The ACARS is limited to the transmission and receipt of messages that will not create an unsafe condition if the
message is improperly received, such as the following conditions:

. the message or parts of the message are delayed or not received,

. the message is delivered to the wrong recipient, or

. the message content may be frequently corrupted.

However, Pre-Departure Clearance, Digital Automatic Terminal Information Service, Oceanic Clearances, Weight
and Balance and Takeoff Data messages can be transmitted and received over ACARS if they are verified per
approved operational procedures.

HUD System

Option - With HGS 4000 Phase I: AIII mode approach and landings are not approved for airplanes with Flight
Dynamics Model 4000 Phase I HGS installed.

With HGS 2350 and polar navigation: Do not use HUD System at latitudes greater than 85 degrees latitude or when
the Heading Reference Switch is in the TRUE position.

Electrics

TR voltage range 24-30 V

Battery voltage range 22-30 V (May be up to 33V during pulse mode charging)

Max engine gen drive oil temp 157°C

Max engine gen drive rise 20°C

Max engine gen load (1/200 only) 111 Amps

If aircraft is fitted with a VSCF, must operate within 45mins of a suitable aerodrome.

Flight Controls

Max flap extend altitude: 20,000ft

In flight, do not extend speedbrake lever beyond FLIGHT DETENT.

Holding in icing conditions with flaps extended is prohibited.

Do not deploy the speedbrakes in flight at radio altitudes less than 1,000ft.

Avoid rapid and large alternating control inputs, especially in combination with large
changes in pitch, roll, or yaw (e.g. large side slip angles) as they may result in
structural failure at any speed, including below VA.

737-6/900 without stiffened elevator tabs: Do not operate the airplane at speeds in

www.b737.org.uk/limitations.htm 5/9
19/08/2021 Boeing 737 Limitations
excess of 300 KIAS with speedbrakes extended. WARNING: Use of speedbrakes at
speeds in excess of 320 KIAS could result in a severe vibration, which, in turn, could
cause extreme damage to the horizontal stabilizer.

Alternate flap duty cycle:

Flap Position Minutes Off
0 - 15 5
15 - 40 25

Flight Management, Navigation

Do not operate weather radar near fuel spills or within 15 feet of people.

Air Data Inertial Reference Unit: ADIRU alignment must not be attempted at latitudes
greater than 78 degrees 15 minutes.

The use of LNAV or VNAV with QFE selected is prohibited.

FMC U7.2 or earlier: During VOR approaches, one pilot must have raw data from the
VOR associated with the approach displayed on the EHSI VOR/ILS mode no later than
the final approach fix.

737NG Only: Use of the vertical situation display during QFE operation is prohibited.

Enhanced GPWS:

Do not use the terrain display for navigation.

Do not use the look-ahead terrain alerting and terrain display functions within 15
nm of takeoff, approach or landing at an airport not contained in the GPWS
terrain database

Fuel

Max temp +49°C

Min temp 737-1/500:

-45°C or freeze pt +3°C

737-6/900:
-43°C or freeze pt +3°C

Max lateral imbalance 453kg  (=1,000lbs)

Greater allowance given for unsymmetrical loads

in cargo version.

Main tanks must be full if centre contains over 453kg

For ground operation,

centre tank pumps must be not be positioned to ON, unless
defuelling or
transferring fuel, if quantity is below 453kgs.

Centre tank pumps must

be switched OFF when both LP lights illuminate.

Centre tank pumps must

not be left ON unless personnel are available in the flight
deck to monitor
LP lights.

Fuel crossfeed valve must be closed for takeoff and landing. (737NG only)

Hydraulic Power

Minimum of 760kg fuel required in respective tank for hydraulic pump operation.

Minimum of 88% required for despatch.

www.b737.org.uk/limitations.htm 6/9
19/08/2021 Boeing 737 Limitations
 

Landing Gear

Do not apply brakes until after touchdown.

Operation with assumed temperature reduced takeoff thrust is not permitted with anti-
skid inoperative.

Max speed, gear extension 270kt/0.82

Max speed, gear retraction 235kt

Max speed, gear extended 320kt/0.82

Performance Data Computer System (1/200 Only)

Do not use the PDCS information unless the engine configuration displayed on the
PDCS is the same as the engine configuration of the airplane.

Fuel management and range calculations presented by the PDCS have not been
evaluated by the FAA.

Verify that the representative takeoff EPR limits displayed on the CDU and EPR
indicators agree with the predetermined limits obtained from the flight manual.

Pneumatics

Max external air pressure 60 psig

Max external air temp 232°C

Power Plant

JT8D-9 JT8D-17A CFM56-3 CFM56-7

Max time for take-off or go- 5 mins 5 mins 5 mins 5 mins

around thrust:

Max N1 100.1% 102.4% 106% 104%

Max N2 100.0% 100.0% 105% 105%

Max EGT's:

Take-off 580°C 650°C 930°C 950°C

Continuous 540°C 610°C 895°C 925°C

Start 350/420°C 575°C 725°C 725°C

Oil T's & P's

Max temperature 165°C 155°C

15 minute limit 121-157°C 131-165°C 160-165°C 140-155°C

Max continuous 120°C 130°C 160°C 140°C

Min oil press 40psi 40psi 13psi 13psi

(warning (warning
www.b737.org.uk/limitations.htm 7/9
19/08/2021 Boeing 737 Limitations
light), 26psi light), 26psi
(gauge) (gauge)

Min oil qty (at despatch) 3 US Gal or 3 US Gal or

75% full 75% full

CFM56-7 limits: Maximum and minimum limits are red. Caution limits are amber.

Pneumatic pressure prior to starter engagement: 30psi -1/2psi per 1000' amsl.
(737-1/500 Only)

Starter duty cycle 1st attempt: 2min on, 20sec off

2nd & subsequent attempt: 2min on, 3min off

Engine ignition must be on for: Takeoff, Landing, Operation in heavy rain and
Anti-ice operation.

Intentional selection of reverse thrust in flight is prohibited.

Wind Limits for T/O & Landing

Braking Action Max X-wind Motne Coefficient

Good 35kt 95 0.4+

Med/good 30kt 94 0.39-0.36

Medium 25kt 93 0.35-0.3

Med/poor 20kt 92 0.29-0.26

Poor 15kt 91 0.25 & less

Note 1. Different (reduced) x-wind guidelines are available for 30m wide runways.

Note 2. Maximum windspeed for taxying is 65kts

Contaminated Runways

Max depths as follows

Dry snow 60mm NB Above -5°C snow is to be

considered as slush.
Wet snow 13mm

Compacted snow / Slush 13mm

Standing water 13mm

Min Width for Snow Clearance

Width Depth

Central 30m 13mm

Next 8m (38) 23cm

Next 16m (54m width) 38cm

Beyond 54m 120cm

www.b737.org.uk/limitations.htm 8/9
19/08/2021 Boeing 737 Limitations
 

www.b737.org.uk/limitations.htm 9/9