Aircraft Landing Distance & Runway Required Calculator
Estimate landing ground roll, 50 ft threshold clearance, and CASA factored landing distance.
Last reviewed by the myCalculator Editorial Team
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
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Formula & How Aircraft Landing Distance & Runway Required Calculator Works
Landing distance depends on landing weight, density altitude, wind and the runway surface. With a base landing roll of 575 ft, a weight of 1,050 kg against a 1,157 kg maximum landing weight gives 0.91, and at 1,500 ft pressure altitude the altitude factor is 1 + 0.035 × 1.5 = 1.0525. The still-air roll is 575 × 0.91 × 1.0525 = about 549 ft, and with the 1.15 safety margin about 632 ft. Higher weight means a higher approach speed (Vref is about 1.3 × Vso), and the energy to dissipate rises with the square of speed. A wet or contaminated runway, a tailwind or a downhill slope will increase the distance a lot, so use the flight manual and check the runway length available.
- 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.
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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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Operational Scenario
Operational Scenario: Mixed-Performance Traffic in the Circuit with No Tower
You are arriving at a non-controlled aerodrome in a Cessna 172. The CTAF is 126.7. A faster turboprop has announced a straight-in approach to Runway 18 from 5 NM, while a tailwheel aircraft is conducting touch-and-goes on the crosswind Runway 27.
Practical Decisions
- •Listen before you transmit: monitor the CTAF well before arrival to build a picture of the runway in use, circuit direction and other traffic.
- •Broadcast on the CTAF whenever it is reasonably necessary to avoid a collision (CASR 91.630), and use the standard calls recommended in CASA guidance for non-controlled aerodromes — for example inbound, joining the circuit, and on final.
- •A pilot flying a straight-in approach must give way to aircraft already established and flying in the circuit (CASR 91.395(2)(b)), and must first determine the wind and runway in use (CASR 91.395(2)(a)). Never assume the other pilot has seen you.
- •If overflying to join, stay at least 500 ft above circuit altitude until clear of the circuit traffic.
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