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Boeing also works to reduce tail strikes through exhaustive takeoff testing, which is a part of certification for any new airplane program. During flight testing, takeoff test conditions are specifically designed to investigate the impact of early rotation, rapid rotation, no flare during landing, and long flare. During this testing, an acceptable margin per certification criteria is established for the design operational use of the airplane. In all cases, Boeing commercial airplanes meet or exceed the design certification criteria for takeoffs and landings, as well as for crosswind takeoffs and landings (see fig. 1). Criteria for engine-out takeoffs and landings are also evaluated (see fig. 2).
TYPICAL TAIL CLEARANCE FOR TAKEOFF
Figure 1
Model | Flap | Liftoff Attitude (deg) |
Minimum Tail Clearance [inches (cm)] |
Tail Strike Pitch Attitude (deg) |
10 | 10.1 | 39 (99) | 12.5 | |
20 | 10.0 | 40 (102) | 12.5 |
TYPICAL TAIL CLEARANCE FOR ENGINES-OUT TAKEOFF
Figure 2
Model | Flap | Liftoff Attitude (deg) |
Minimum Tail Clearance [inches (cm)] |
Tail Strike Pitch Attitude (deg) |
10, 20 | 10.6 | 34 (86) | 12.5 |
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