Determination of airports’ atmospheric mixing height boundaries using operational data

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to determine the distance and duration to reach airports mixing height of 3,000 feet limit. Airport operations significantly contribute to the aircraft landing and take-off (LTO) cycle. Eurocontrol’s SO6 data sets comprise several abutted segment data to analyse the duration and distance for specific flights. Design/methodology/approach Two consequential methods have been used to calculate the distance and destination from the SO6 databases. First, SQL filtering and pivot tables were formed for the required data. Second, over 583,000 data lines for a year of Boeing 747–400 aircraft routes were calculated and filtered for the monthly assessments. Findings LTO cycles’ durations have deviated −24% to 76% from the ICAO assumptions. Distance facts determined for specific airports as 2.57 to 3.66 nm for take-off and 5.02 to 23.25 nm for the landing. The average duration of the aircraft’s in mentioned airport take-off are 66 to 74 s and 40 to 50 s; averages have been calculated as 70 to 44 s. Landing durations have been calculated for four different airports as 173 to 476 s. Practical implications This study provides a re-evaluation chance for the current assumptions and helps for better assessments. Each airport and aircraft combinations have their duration and distance figures. Originality/value This study has calculated the first LTO distances in the literature for the aerodrome. This method applies to all airports, airline fleets and aircraft if the segmented SO6 data are available.