DEFINITION:

In aircraft performance analysis, analytical and experimental techniques are used to determine extreme quantities of the translational motion of the centre of gravity of the aircraft, which are relevant to its operational and economic use. Typical quantities that are determined in a performance analysis are:

• Operational flight envelope (min/max of airspeed, altitude and load factor).
• Operational range and endurance
• Performance in climb/descent
• Cruise performance (optimum fuel consumption versus cruise speed and altitude)
• Performance in turns
• Runway performance (take-off and landing distance).

(Source: ACARE Domain 503)

SUBDOMAINS:

1. Mathematical modelling (3 DOF point mass model, equations of motion, environment, aerodynamics, engine and systems)
2. Analytical performance calculations
3. Performance Analysis of complex and/or dangerous manoeuvres via non-linear desktop simulation
4. Flight Tests – experimental performance (definition of suitable test manoeuvres, instrumentation and validation of model and analytical analysis results)