Use one of the following methods to open the calculator:
Right-click on any airport in the Enroute Charts view, and choose Takeoff Calculator from the shortcut menu.
Right-click an airport under a route in the RoutePack List, and choose Takeoff Calculator from the shortcut menu.
This tool uses standard engineering formulas to determine how density altitude, wind, weight, runway surface and runway slope affect an aircraft's takeoff performance. Computed takeoff distances are listed in order of shortest length, giving the pilot a recommended runway, and values are shown for the effects of density altitude, aircraft weight, runway surface, wind and crosswind components. The calculator does not use specific information from a specific aircraft's operating handbook.
Because this tool is meant for non-turbocharged propeller-driven aircraft, some calculations, such as the effect of density altitude, may not apply to large turbine or jet aircraft.
Enter information in a series of three dialogs and see the results in a fourth. Click Next after each screen to continue, or choose Back to revise your entries and check different conditions.
The Aircraft Properties dialog box uses information found in your Pilot's Operating Handbook.
If applicable, select your aircraft from the drop down menu. If you used the right click option from the RoutePack list, the aircraft specified is associated to your RoutePack. If you want to change the aircraft, see Modifying and Adding an Aircraft Model in the RoutePack.
Enter the following information for the next three fields:
Standard Take Off Distance
Rotation Speed
Maximum Allowable Crosswind Component
Take Off Weight and Max Take Off Weight are entered automatically from your flight plan and aircraft model respectively. This information can be overwritten.
Click Next to continue.
The completed dialog box should look something like this:
To enter wind and runway conditions:
For winds, select Calm or Direction, and enter Direction in degrees and Speed in knots.
For runway conditions, select Firm Surface, Soft Surface (or wet), or Very Soft Surface (snow or mud).
Click Next to continue.
The completed dialog box should look something like this:
To enter density altitude:
Enter the Current Temperature.
Select either Field Pressure Altitude or Altimeter >setting. The field Density Altitude is calculated and displayed.
Click Next to continue.
Read the Warning Note that displays and click OK.
Effects of density altitude and weight on the aircraft’s standard takeoff distance are displayed first. Then the runways are listed in order of shortest takeoff distance, along with any values calculated for wind and surface conditions.
To calculate takeoff distances under different conditions, use the Back button to return to the appropriate dialog box and enter new information, or click Cancel to close the calculator.
See also: