Aircraft Landing Distance & Runway Required Calculator
Estimate landing ground roll, 50 ft threshold clearance, and CASA factored landing distance.
Input Parameters
C172S sea level landing ground roll ~575 ft
C172S total landing distance from 50ft ~1,335 ft
Downhill slopes add ~10% landing distance per 1% downslope
Calculation Results
Formula & How Aircraft Landing Distance & Runway Required Calculator Works
Landing distance depends on kinetic energy dissipation upon touchdown. Higher landing weights increase the touchdown speed ($V_{REF} = 1.3 \times V_{SO}$), while higher density altitudes increase True Airspeed at touchdown. Wet or contaminated runway surfaces severely reduce wheel braking friction.
- Enter Sea Level Base Landing Roll (ft): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Base Distance from 50 ft (ft): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Actual Landing Weight (kg) (kg): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Maximum Landing Weight / MLW (kg) (kg): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Runway Pressure Altitude (ft) (ft): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Outside Air Temperature / OAT (°C) (°C): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Headwind Component (kts) (kts): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Runway Surface & Contamination: Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Downhill Slope Gradient (%) (%): Input your target parameter value.
- Apply Formula: Calculate using
LDR = BaseLandingRoll × (Weight/MLW) × [1 + 0.035(PA/1000)] × WindFactor × ContaminationFactor × 1.15 CASA Margin. - Review Results: View exact computed answers, metrics, and worked mathematical proofs.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does a wet runway increase landing distance?
A wet paved runway increases landing distance by approximately 30% to 40% due to reduced tire friction coefficient and risk of hydroplaning. Wet grass increases landing distance by 50% to 60%.
What is CASA Landing Distance Required (LDR)?
CASA regulations require light aircraft pilots to multiply POH landing distances by a minimum dispatch safety factor of 1.15 (15% reserve) on dry runways.
Authoritative Standards & Verified Reference Citations
Calculations and mathematical logic on this page are grounded in published statutory rules, regulatory standards, and official government data published by the following bodies:
CASR Part 91 general operating and flight rules, Part 121 fuel reserves, and flight crew licensing standards.
Aviation weather services, standard atmosphere (ISA) profiles, METAR/TAF aerodrome weather reports.
Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA), and airspace procedures.
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