A380 Flight Mechanics Analysis
In collaboration with a partner, we were tasked to do an analysis to evaluate the flight mechanics and safety capabilities of the Airbus A380 seen in figure 1. Our objective was to calculate the maximum rejected takeoff speed and identify the furthest point along the 3,618-meter runway 28R at San Francisco International Airport, shown in figure 2, where the aircraft, at maximum takeoff weight, can safely come to a complete stop. This analysis is crucial for assessing the aircraft’s performance during rejected takeoffs and ensuring runway safety under realistic conditions.
Figure 1. An Airbus A380
Figure 2. San Francisco International Airport. Runway 28R is highlighted in blue
By utilizing the takeoff and landing velocity equations, we were able to model and plot the data in MATLAB, identifying the intersection point of both curves seen in figure 3. This intersection provided the maximum velocity and the runway distance at which the aircraft can safely come to a complete stop. The calculated velocity is 64 meters per second, with a corresponding runway distance of 1,248 meters.
Figure 3. Plots of the A380's takeoff and landing velocity vs the runway length.