The use of GRF data for assessing the surface condition of contaminated runways to reduce risks associated with aircraft landings

Abstract

Aircraft landing is a very critical phase of flight, particularly on contaminated runways where the braking coefficient is weakened by the presence of contaminants, resulting in a longer landing distance. If these parameters are not controlled, runway excursions are highly likely.The Global Reporting Format (GRF) enables specialists to assess runway conditions in order to provide codified and reliable information to flight crews for calculating landing performance and taking the necessary measures to ensure safe landings.This work consists of conducting a study of viable runways (on a defined operating network: domestic airports open to public air traffic) for a specific type of aircraft (B738-NG), following an assessment of the risks associated with landings, taking into account runway characteristics and assumed GRF data for the operations in question.This study was conducted after evaluating aircraft landing performance using a computer application. The input data for this application includes runway conditions published by the relevant ATC services (GRF data), the technical characteristics of aircraft during landing (flaps, automatic braking, reference speed), and weather conditions (temperature and wind).This application can be considered a decision-making aid during flight preparation by flight dispatch personnel (pre-flight) and flight crews (in-flight).