Classification of Airports

FAA Aircraft design group Classification

FAA Aircraft design group classification
DESIGN GROUP WING SPAN (ft) EXAMPLE
1 < 49 Cessna 152-210,
Beachcraft A-36

2 49- 78 Saab 2000,saab 340,

EMB-120,canadair RJ-100

3 79-117 Boeing 737, MD-80,

Airbus A-320

4 118-170 Boeing 757,767,

Airbus A-300

5 171-213 Boeing 747,777,

Airbus A-340

6 214-262 A3XX-200, VLCA

 DESIGN GROUP 1
<49 (ft) (WING SPAN)

CESSNA 152
CESSNA 210

BEACHCRAFT A-36
 DESIGN GROUP 2
49-78 (ft) (WING SPAN)

SAAB 2000

SAAB 340
 EMB-120

CANADAIR JR-100
 DESIGN GROUP 3
79-117(ft)

Boeing 737

MD-80
Airbus A-320
 DESIGN GROUP 4
118-170(ft)

Boeing 757

Boeing 767
AIRBUS A-300
 DESIGN GROUP 5
171-213 (ft)

Boeing 747

Boeing 777
Boeing 747
Airbus A-340
 DESIGN GROUP 6
214-262 (ft)

A3XX-200

VLCA
ICAO Classification Based on
Runway Length and Pavement
Strength
• ICAO established a code to identify the
capability of the airport to serve various types
of aircrafts
• Runway length is coded by letters (A, B, C, D,
E, F, G) and strength of pavements by numbers
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
 ICAO Classification Based on Runway
Length
Code Letter Feet Meters
A 8400 and over 2250
B 7000 to 8400 2150 to 2250
C 5900 to 7000 1800 to 2150
D 5000 to 5900 1500 to 1800
E 4200 to 5000 1280 to 1500
F 3500 to 4200 1080 to 1280
G 3000 to 3500 900 to 1080
ICAO Classification Based on Pavement
Strength
Code Single wheel load Tire Pressure
1 100,000 lb 120 psi
2 75,000 lb 100 psi
3 50,000 lb 100 psi
4 45,000 lb 100 psi
5 30,000 lb 85 psi
6 15,000 lb 70 psi
7 5,000 lb 35 psi
• Thus an airport classified as A-2 would
have a runway length of over 8400 ft
under standard conditions (at sea level,
with no runway gradient and if wind is
not blowing) and would be capable of
handling single wheel load of 75,000
lbs with a tire pressure of 100 psi.