A380 and the ILS part II

30.05.2011

Submission:

A bit of history on aircraft size and the OFZ: Back in the mid 70s the OCP was debating the size of the OFZ. Two options were suggested by the airworthiness experts –

1. We tell you what the aircraft can do and you decide the areas

Or

2. You tell us what areas are available and we will certificate the aircraft to remain within them.

The latter course was chosen and the OFZ based on the most common acceptable dimensions. A few years later come larger aircraft, and another group gets in the act and, unaware of the prior undertaking of the certification experts, started developing the new code letters for larger aircraft, cumulating in the huge work justifying the A380 dimensions. Maybe the Russians had better memories, as they did use the certification process for narrow runways and their large aircraft. Lot of money was wasted because the meeting report did not contain the key certification statement. I remembered but unfortunately was not able to stop the juggernaut once it had started. So, the minutes of meetings can be more important than one thinks at the time!

Robert Woodhouse - Canada