"Performance" is a term used to describe the ability of an airplane to accomplish certain things that make it useful for certain purposes. For example, the ability of the airplane to land and take off in a very short distance is an important factor to the pilot who operates in and out of short, unimproved airfields. The ability to carry heavy loads, fly at high altitudes at fast speeds, or travel long distances is essential performance for operators of airline and executive type airplanes.

The chief elements of performance are the takeoff and landing distance, rate of climb, ceiling, payload, range, speed, maneuverability, stability, and fuel economy. Some of these factors are often directly opposed: for example, high speed versus shortness of landing distance; long range versus great payload; and high rate of climb versus fuel economy. It is the preeminence of one or more of these factors which dictates differences between airplanes and which explains the high degree of specialization found in modern airplanes.

The various items of airplane performance/ AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE  result from the combination of airplane and powerplant characteristics.

AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE

The aerodynamic characteristics of the airplane generally define the power and thrust requirements at various conditions of flight while powerplant characteristics generally define the power and thrust available at various conditions of flight. The manufacturer to provide maximum performance at the specific design condition; e.g., range, endurance, and climb accomplishes the matching of the aerodynamic configuration with the powerplant.

AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE