Runway Weight Bearing Capacity

ZapBrannigan

If it ain’t a Boeing, I’m not going. No choice.
Ok guys.

Where would I find the weight bearing capacity of a particular runway.

And IF it is only given as single-wheel, then is there a formula that you can use to determine your impact if you are flying an airplane with double?

Thanks in advance
 
I normally look in the A/FD. Many runways, but not all, have the weight bearing capacity listed.
 
Try FLTPLAN.COM there is usually some info there about load bearing and the runway. Keep in mind it is not official, but could get you headed in the correct direction.
 
Thank you. Just saw that on fltplan.com.

So what do you suppose you do if the airport doesn't provide that info? The airport i'm looking at in particular is Johnstown New York. NY0
 
Give em a call

Manager's Name: JAMES MRAZAddress: FULTON CITY PLANNING DEPT, 1 EAST MONTGOMERY ST JOHNSTOWN, NY 12095Phone: 518-736-5660

What are you flying in? I ran in to an airport that had a 5800X100 runway that was limited to 12,000 singel wheel, ruled out the citation. Kind of weird.
 
Probably the safest bet would be to just call the manager and ask. Im sure he will have that information right in front of him.


I seem to remember something about runways being of certain dimensions having a given load bearing capacity that isn't stated but "assumed" and when there are specific needs you get the laundry list of single, double, quad, etc wheel configs that the runway/taxiways can take.
 
Another place you can find it is on the NACO airfield depiction. I've attached a copy of JFK's airfield depiction and if you look to the lower right corner you can see all the WBC codes.


http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0712/00610AD.PDF


Unfortunately, not every airfield out there has an airfield diagram in the NACO books, (even if they have an approach!). NY0 didn't have one, for example.

Another place to look is in the IFR or VFR supplement, if you can get a copy of those. The NGA website took that stuff off of it's public access site, unless you're downloading from a .mil computer, though, so that might be tough to get to also. Basically, those are the military versions of the A/FD.
 
Jepp text has some of the info as well. The Jepp airport directory shows PCN numbers for each airport and also has tables for each aircraft's ACN. Well, at least our worldwide charts onboard have that, not sure if USA domestic would have the same thing.


TP
 
This is Half Moon Bay, CA (KNAV) from airnav.com

Weight bearing capacity:

Single wheel:
30000 lbs
Double wheel:
200000 lbs
Double tandem:
360000 lbs

And in the remarks:


Additional Remarks

E98 PLUS 12 T SHELTERS.
-
FLD CONDS-RWY, TWY & APRON GOOD.
-
ARPT NOISE SENSITIVE AREAS NW THRU NE.
-
NO STRAIGHT-IN APCHS, DEPS CLIMB TO 433 FT AGL BEFORE TURNING.
- NO INTERSECTION TKOFS, STOP AND GO LANDINGS, OR TAXI-BACK ON RY.
- TWYS, APRONS AND TIEDOWNS: 12,500 LBS MAXIMUM.

Seems unusual to have such sturdy runways and yet limit the supporting areas to 12,500 lbs. I'm wondering if it's a way to limit larger aircraft due to the surrounding noise sensitive areas.
 
This is Half Moon Bay, CA (KNAV) from airnav.com

Weight bearing capacity:

Single wheel:
30000 lbs
Double wheel:
200000 lbs
Double tandem:
360000 lbs

And in the remarks:


Additional Remarks

E98 PLUS 12 T SHELTERS.
-
FLD CONDS-RWY, TWY & APRON GOOD.
-
ARPT NOISE SENSITIVE AREAS NW THRU NE.
-
NO STRAIGHT-IN APCHS, DEPS CLIMB TO 433 FT AGL BEFORE TURNING.
- NO INTERSECTION TKOFS, STOP AND GO LANDINGS, OR TAXI-BACK ON RY.
- TWYS, APRONS AND TIEDOWNS: 12,500 LBS MAXIMUM.

Seems unusual to have such sturdy runways and yet limit the supporting areas to 12,500 lbs. I'm wondering if it's a way to limit larger aircraft due to the surrounding noise sensitive areas.

We run into this a lot...where the WBC of the runway allows us in, but can't taxi off. I see this mostly in Africa. So, we land, download, back taxi and off we go...
 
We run into this a lot...where the WBC of the runway allows us in, but can't taxi off. I see this mostly in Africa. So, we land, download, back taxi and off we go...

This goes hand in hand with the Per Diem rate, as well as the availability of jack stands for the C-5.
So in Europe/South America it would be land, break the aircraft, leave it on the runway, and head to the hotel....not all in that order!
 
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