Takeoff and landing distance calculator – straight from the POH charts
BriefingPal reads the takeoff and landing charts of your aircraft type for your conditions: field elevation and QNH, temperature, takeoff weight, wind component from weather and runway heading, slope and surface. The result is compared instantly with the available runway (TORA, LDA).
Whether a runway is long enough is not decided in the air. Short fields, summer heat, altitude and tailwind add up quickly: at 30 °C and 5,000 ft the takeoff distance can be twice the sea-level figure. BriefingPal does not apply blanket margins; it interpolates the data points of the POH tables and graphs – ground roll and distance over the 50 ft obstacle, for takeoff and landing, for departure, destination and alternate at the same time.
Runway data (length, heading, elevation, surface) come from a database of more than 17,000 airfields worldwide; wind and temperature for the planned departure time are taken from METAR or the weather model. The runway is selected automatically by wind and can be overridden at any time.
How it works
- Choose the airfieldsDeparture, destination and alternate by ICAO code or name; runway, TORA/LDA, elevation and surface are suggested.
- Check the conditionsTemperature, QNH and wind at departure time from METAR or model – or entered by hand. Adjust slope and wet surface.
- Read the resultGround roll and distance over 50 ft as bars against the runway length; a warning when it gets tight – optionally with a 1.15 safety factor.
- Plan the climbRate of climb, time, fuel and distance to cruise altitude from the POH – including service ceiling and density altitude at the field.
Example from the app
Example: Archer II at 1,087 kg from Wangen-Lachen (LSPV) to Samedan (LSZS)
Takeoff LSPV, runway 08, 1,335 ft, crosswind 1 kt: ground roll 317 m, distance over 50 ft 560 m – the runway offers 499 m TORA. BriefingPal warns: “takeoff distance over 50 ft longer than runway”. Landing at LSZS at 5,600 ft, runway 21, headwind 1 kt: 295 m ground roll, 445 m over 50 ft with 1,799 m LDA – fine. Alternate LSZR, runway 28: 240 m / 369 m with 1,455 m LDA.
What goes into the performance calculation
Pressure and density altitude
From field elevation, QNH and temperature – the density altitude is displayed so the performance loss becomes visible.
Weight from weight & balance
The actual takeoff weight from the W&B calculation feeds the charts; for landing, the landing weight after trip fuel.
Wind component per runway
Headwind, tailwind and crosswind from wind direction and runway heading; crosswind is compared with the demonstrated crosswind value.
Runway slope and surface
Correction factors for slope as well as grass, wet or soft runways according to the POH notes.
Optional safety factor
Pure POH figures or a 15 % margin – how much reserve you plan is your decision.
Performance charts as cards
For types with digitised diagrams (e.g. TBM, PC-12, DA62) the original charts are drawn with your operating point.
Frequently asked questions
How is the takeoff distance of an aircraft calculated?
The basis is the takeoff chart in section 5 of the POH: pressure altitude, temperature and weight give the ground roll and the distance to 50 ft; wind, slope and runway surface are applied with the manufacturer's corrections. BriefingPal performs this reading with linear interpolation between the data points and compares the result with the TORA of the selected runway.
What is the difference between ground roll and distance over 50 ft?
The ground roll is the roll distance until lift-off. The distance over 50 ft includes the initial climb to obstacle height and is the figure to compare with the available runway length and obstacles in the departure sector.
Where do runway length and field elevation come from?
From the built-in airfield database with more than 17,000 fields (TORA, LDA, heading, surface, elevation). Not every value is stored for every field – the AIP and VAC are authoritative; values can be overridden by hand at any time.
Does BriefingPal account for grass and wet runways?
Yes. For grass, wet and soft runways the margins given in the POH are applied, in addition to the correction for runway slope in per cent.
Should I apply the 1.15 safety factor?
POH figures come from flight testing with a new aircraft, practised technique and an ideal runway. Many operators and authorities recommend a margin of at least 15 % for VFR operations (more on grass and wet surfaces). In BriefingPal the factor is switched on with one click.
Does BriefingPal also compute climb performance?
Yes. Rate of climb, climb speed, time, fuel and distance to cruise altitude are integrated from the POH climb data as a function of weight, temperature and altitude – including the service ceiling. The climb profile feeds the route planner and the terrain profile.
Popular aircraft types
Takeoff and landing distance calculator
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