Aircraft performance

{{Short description|Aspect of aeronautical design and mission planning}}

{{Unfocused|date=May 2024}}

Aircraft performance refers to the ability of airplanes and helicopters to accomplish certain useful things.Federal Aviation Administration: "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge", Chapter 11. [https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/media/13_phak_ch11.pdf] It is an important consideration when designing and testing aircraft, to ensure the aircraft can be operated in an efficient and economic manner.{{cite book |last1=Saarlas |first1=Maido |title=Aircraft performance |date=2007 |publisher=John Wiley |location=Hoboken, N.J. |isbn=978-0-470-04416-2}} There are typically trade-offs involved, for example an aircraft optimised for cruise performance will not necessarily be optimised for the climb.{{cite journal |last1=Joshi |first1=Shiv |last2=Tidwell |first2=Zeb |last3=Crossley |first3=William |last4=Ramakrishnan |first4=Sekaripuram |title=Comparison of Morphing Wing Strategies Based upon Aircraft Performance Impacts |journal=45th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics & Materials Conference |date=2004-04-19 |doi=10.2514/6.2004-1722 |isbn=978-1-62410-079-6 |url=https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2004-1722|url-access=subscription }} Adaptive compliant wings and variable-sweep wings are technologies aimed at improving performance during the different stages of flight.

The subject of aircraft performance includes aircraft speed, ceiling, range and fuel efficiency, take-off distance required, and climb rate. It also includes aircraft controllability speeds.{{cite book |last1=McCormick |first1=Barnes W. |title=Aerodynamics, Aeronautics and Flight Mechanics |date=1 August 1979 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=978-0-471-03032-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lpxTAAAAMAAJ |access-date=6 July 2022 |language=en |chapter=7. Airplane Performance}}

Aircraft manufacturers will publish performance data in an aircraft flight manual, concerning the behaviour of the aircraft under various circumstances, such as different speeds, weights, and air temperatures, pressures, & densities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Aircraft_Performance|title = Aircraft Performance - SKYbrary Aviation Safety}}{{cite book |title=Manual of Flying AP3456, Volume 2, Aircraft Performance |publisher=Central School of Flying |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/857195/Volume_02_Aircraft_Performance.pdf}} Performance data is information pertaining to takeoff, climb, range, endurance, descent, and landing.

Aircraft performance is affected by atmospheric conditions. Climb performance will be reduced in hot and high conditions, as well as in humid conditions. Higher temperatures and humidities, and lower pressures reduce air density.