FAR 91.1037 — Landing Limitations Subpart K
FAR 91.1037 sets landing weight, runway length, and wet runway limits for turbine large transport airplanes on Part 91 Subpart K program flights.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1037 sets the landing performance rules for turbine-powered large transport category airplanes flown under Subpart K (fractional ownership) program flights. It governs how much the airplane can weigh on arrival at the destination and alternate.
Key limits:
- Landing weight limit: The airplane's arrival weight, after burning planned fuel/oil, may not exceed the AFM landing weight for the elevation and forecast temperature at destination or alternate.
- 60% runway rule (destination): The airplane must be able to make a full-stop landing within 60% of the effective runway length, crossing 50 feet above the obstruction clearance plane.
- 80% runway rule (destination) — only with a Destination Airport Analysis in the program manual (per §91.1025(o)) and management specifications approval.
- Alternate airport: Must allow a full-stop landing within 80% of effective runway length.
- Wet/slippery runways (turbojets): Required runway length increases by 15% (i.e., must be at least 115% of the dry requirement) unless an approved shorter distance is in the AFM.
This matters because takeoff planning must account for arrival conditions — not just departure performance — to keep landings within safe runway margins.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1037§ 91.1037 Large transport category airplanes: Turbine engine powered; Limitations; Destination and alternate airports.
(a) No program manager or any other person may permit a turbine engine powered large transport category airplane on a program flight to take off that airplane at a weight that (allowing for normal consumption of fuel and oil in flight to the destination or alternate airport) the weight of the airplane on arrival would exceed the landing weight in the Airplane Flight Manual for the elevation of the destination or alternate airport and the ambient temperature expected at the time of landing.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no program manager or any other person may permit a turbine engine powered large transport category airplane on a program flight to take off that airplane unless its weight on arrival, allowing for normal consumption of fuel and oil in flight (in accordance with the landing distance in the Airplane Flight Manual for the elevation of the destination airport and the wind conditions expected there at the time of landing), would allow a full stop landing at the intended destination airport within 60 percent of the effective length of each runway described below from a point 50 feet above the intersection of the obstruction clearance plane and the runway. For the purpose of determining the allowable landing weight at the destination airport, the following is assumed:
(1) The airplane is landed on the most favorable runway and in the most favorable direction, in still air.
(2) The airplane is landed on the most suitable runway considering the probable wind velocity and direction and the ground handling characteristics of that airplane, and considering other conditions such as landing aids and terrain.
(c) A program manager or other person flying a turbine engine powered large transport category airplane on a program flight may permit that airplane to take off at a weight in excess of that allowed by paragraph (b) of this section if all of the following conditions exist:
(1) The operation is conducted in accordance with an approved Destination Airport Analysis in that person's program operating manual that contains the elements listed in § 91.1025(o).
(2) The airplane's weight on arrival, allowing for normal consumption of fuel and oil in flight (in accordance with the landing distance in the Airplane Flight Manual for the elevation of the destination airport and the wind conditions expected there at the time of landing), would allow a full stop landing at the intended destination airport within 80 percent of the effective length of each runway described below from a point 50 feet above the intersection of the obstruction clearance plane and the runway. For the purpose of determining the allowable landing weight at the destination airport, the following is assumed:
(i) The airplane is landed on the most favorable runway and in the most favorable direction, in still air.
(ii) The airplane is landed on the most suitable runway considering the probable wind velocity and direction and the ground handling characteristics of that airplane, and considering other conditions such as landing aids and terrain.
(3) The operation is authorized by management specifications.
(d) No program manager or other person may select an airport as an alternate airport for a turbine engine powered large transport category airplane unless (based on the assumptions in paragraph (b) of this section) that airplane, at the weight expected at the time of arrival, can be brought to a full stop landing within 80 percent of the effective length of the runway from a point 50 feet above the intersection of the obstruction clearance plane and the runway.
(e) Unless, based on a showing of actual operating landing techniques on wet runways, a shorter landing distance (but never less than that required by paragraph (b) or (c) of this section) has been approved for a specific type and model airplane and included in the Airplane Flight Manual, no person may take off a turbojet airplane when the appropriate weather reports or forecasts, or any combination of them, indicate that the runways at the destination or alternate airport may be wet or slippery at the estimated time of arrival unless the effective runway length at the destination airport is at least 115 percent of the runway length required under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Under FAR 91.1037, what runway length percentage must a turbine large transport airplane be able to land within at the destination airport?
Per FAR 91.1037(b), the airplane must be able to make a full stop landing within 60% of the effective runway length from 50 feet above the obstruction clearance plane, assuming the most favorable runway in still air.
Q2When can a Subpart K operator use the 80% runway rule instead of 60% at the destination?
FAR 91.1037(c) allows the 80% rule only if the operation follows an approved Destination Airport Analysis containing the elements of §91.1025(o) and is authorized by management specifications.
Q3How do wet or slippery runway forecasts affect takeoff planning for a turbojet under this rule?
Under FAR 91.1037(e), if reports or forecasts indicate the destination or alternate runway may be wet or slippery, the effective runway length must be at least 115% of the length otherwise required, unless an approved shorter distance is published in the AFM.
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Related Sections in Part 91