Takeoff Acceleration Monitoring System

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A Takeoff Acceleration Monitoring System automates the pilot monitoring of Distance to Go (DTG), "to sense, in a timely fashion the development of insufficient acceleration, which would extend the takeoff roll, perhaps precipitously". [1]

Over the years, recommendations have been made to develop a Take Off Performance Management System. The NLR and NASA developed TOPMS prototypes. However, these systems were never operationally introduced. [2]

EASA established two working groups (WGs) to address this issue. WG-88 focussed on the specification and standardization of On-Board Weight and Balance Systems (OBWBS), an ongoing effort for what is considered to be a feasible option. WG-94 focussed on standards and operational conditions for a TOPMS; it WG-94 was concluded early 2017, considering that TOPMS was not feasible, in particular due to limitations in technology and data availability. [2]

A version suitable for detecting gross errors, which can be integrated in existing avionics, has been proposed by National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR), KLM, and Martinair. [2]

A 2019 research paper explores the cause of a July 2017 serious incident, caused by erroneous data entry, where such system could have been useful. It "summarises a basic takeoff acceleration monitoring system and the effect this would have had on the July 2017 event". [3]

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References

  1. Brown; Abbasi (2009-04-23). "Takeoff performance monitoring systems, technology, certificatability and operability status". National Research Council Canada. doi: 10.4224/21268868 .
  2. 1 2 3 Benard, Bart (2019). "Take-Off performance incidents: do we need to accept them or can we avoid them?" (PDF). ISASI Technical Papers.
  3. Hoare, Steve (2019). "Erroneous takeoff performance: Why the past is still highly relevant today" (PDF). ISASI Technical Papers.
  4. Middleton (March 12, 1996). Airplane takeoff and landing performance monitoring system. NASA (Report). hdl:2060/20080005969.