FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Performance, Weight and BalanceMedium
A pilot is planning a takeoff from a runway with an obstruction near midfield. If an engine problem occurs just as the airplane reaches rotation speed, the pilot may need to reject the takeoff and stop before that obstruction. Which performance figure should the pilot consult to determine whether the runway provides enough distance for this scenario?
- ATakeoff distance over a 50-ft obstacle
- BNormal takeoff ground roll
- CLanding distance over a 50-ft obstacle
- DAccelerate-stop distance
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Accelerate-stop distance
Accelerate-stop distance is the total distance needed to accelerate to a specified speed (such as rotation or decision speed) and then bring the airplane to a complete stop if the takeoff is rejected at that point.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This figure assumes the takeoff continues and the airplane climbs over the obstacle, not a rejected takeoff.
- B. Ground roll alone does not include the stopping distance needed after rejecting takeoff.
- C. This applies to landing performance, not a rejected takeoff mid-runway.
Accelerate-Stop Distance
The total runway distance required to accelerate to a specified speed and then stop the airplane if the takeoff is aborted, important for runway length planning at critical fields.
- Combines acceleration distance plus braking/stopping distance
- Contrasted with accelerate-go distance (continuing takeoff after an engine failure)
- Commonly required for balanced field length calculations in performance planning
Memory trick: Stop the show before the obstacle grows.