Transport Canada has a warped definition of weight
I have just been reading through to find out exactly what the argument is and I could not help but be disturbed by the fact that Transport Canada must have a warped definition of weight. In fact it probably uses one of the other Q series weights to determine the maximum weight. The reason being is 34,500 lbs is less than the airframe weights without passengers and fuel.
As for operating longer distances, as long as weight is limited operating non stop to Myrtle Beach is perfectly safe, and Transport Canada will allow it. Afterall they are allowing West Jet to leave seats empty to stretch the range beyond specifications to fly from Edmonton to Honolulu. Playing with weights to increase range, and allow the use of shorter airfeilds is common practice in aviation.
Increasing the thrust used to takeoff, which makes more noise, which is probably the plan lowers the takeoff distance requirement, and since the runway at TCCA falls within the landing specification, albeit by an uncomfortable margin there is nothing unsafe about doing it unless of course you have an emergency. The specified distances are based on the use of normal power, max power can be used safely - albeit neither quietly, and at a higher rate of fuel burn.
It is a multivariable mathematical equation, and simply putting it in terms of normal takeoff distance ignores the other variables. Adding weight ignores the amount of thrust. Essentially what I am saying is there is a lot of room for tinkering.
As for Transport Canada, that they do not know the weight - listed as almost 38,000 lbs by Bombardier - of an empty Q400 is disturbing. More disturbing is that they regulate all aviation matters in the country. I question how they can effectively do that if they cant get the weight of one of the most common aircraft in operation in the country correct...
Adam
As for operating longer distances, as long as weight is limited operating non stop to Myrtle Beach is perfectly safe, and Transport Canada will allow it. Afterall they are allowing West Jet to leave seats empty to stretch the range beyond specifications to fly from Edmonton to Honolulu. Playing with weights to increase range, and allow the use of shorter airfeilds is common practice in aviation.
Increasing the thrust used to takeoff, which makes more noise, which is probably the plan lowers the takeoff distance requirement, and since the runway at TCCA falls within the landing specification, albeit by an uncomfortable margin there is nothing unsafe about doing it unless of course you have an emergency. The specified distances are based on the use of normal power, max power can be used safely - albeit neither quietly, and at a higher rate of fuel burn.
It is a multivariable mathematical equation, and simply putting it in terms of normal takeoff distance ignores the other variables. Adding weight ignores the amount of thrust. Essentially what I am saying is there is a lot of room for tinkering.
As for Transport Canada, that they do not know the weight - listed as almost 38,000 lbs by Bombardier - of an empty Q400 is disturbing. More disturbing is that they regulate all aviation matters in the country. I question how they can effectively do that if they cant get the weight of one of the most common aircraft in operation in the country correct...
Adam
Comments