Limitations Home > Aircraft Systems > Limitations
Contents Operational Flight Manoeuvring Load Acceleration Limits Altitude Display Limits L imits for RVS RVSM M Operation Operations s Air Systems Anti-Ice & Rain Airstairs APU Autopilot/Flight Director System Communications HUD System Electrics Flight Controls Flight Management, Management, Navigation Fuel Hydraulic Power Landing Gear Gear Performance erformance Data Computer System Pneu neumatics matics Power Plant Wind Limits Limits Contaminate ontaminated d Runways
Note: Not Not all limitations limi tations given here are AFM
Operational Runway slope limits
+/-2%
Max takeoff / landing tailwind component
10kts (May be 15kts 15kts as customer option)
No tailwind component allowed on contaminated runways. Max windspeed for taxing Turbulent airspeed
Max operating altitude
65kts
1/200:
280kts/.70M
3/500:
280kts/.73M
6/900:
280kts/.76M
1/500:
37,000ft
6/900:
41,000ft
Maximum Takeoff and Landing Altitude Max precipitation depth for takeoff or landing
8,400ft (12,000ft 8,400ft (12,000ft high altitude option) Dry snow 60mm Water, wet snow, slush 13mm. (AFM=15mm)
Max demonstrated crosswind crosswind
1/200:
31kts
3/500:
35kts
6/900:
36kts
6/900 winglets:
33kts
Flight Manoeuvring Load Acceleration Limits (AFM) Flaps up
+2.5g to -1.0g
Flaps down
+2.0g to 0.0g
Altitude Display Limits for RVSM Operations Standby altimeters do not meet altimeter accuracy requirements of RVSM airspace. The maximum allowable in-flight difference between Captain and First Officer altitude displays for RVSM operations is 200 feet. feet. The maximum allowable on-the-ground altitude display differences for RVSM operations are: 737-1/500 Field Elevation Sea Level 5,000ft 10,000ft
Max Diff between Captain & F/O 40 ft 45 ft 50 ft
Max Diff between Captain or F/O and Field Elevation 75 ft 75 ft 75 ft
737 NG Field Elevation Sea Level to 5,000ft 5,001 to 10,000ft
Max Diff between Captain & F/O 50 ft 60 ft
Max Diff between Captain or F/O and Field Elevation 75 ft 75 ft
Weight Limitations Too many taxi, takeoff, landing & zero fuel limitations to list here.
Air Systems Max cabin cabin different differential ial pressure pressure (relief (relief valves valves))
1/500: 1/500: 8.65 psi 6/900: 9.10 psi
Max cabin diff for takeoff & landing
0.125 psi (236ft below airport PA)
One pack may be inoperative provided maximum altitude is limited to
FL250
With engine bleed air switches ON, do not operate the air conditioning packs in HIGH for takeoff, approach or landing.
Anti-Ice & Rain Engine anti-ice must be on during all ground and flight operations when icing conditions exist or are anticipated, except during climb and cruise below -40°C SAT. Engine anti-ice must be on prior to and during descent in all icing conditions, including temperatures below -40°C SAT. Do not use wing anti-ice on the ground when the OAT is above 10C.
737-1/200: Minimum N1 for operating in icing conditions except for landing: 40% when TAT between 0 and 10C; 55% when TAT below 0C; 70% in moderate to severe icing conditions when TAT below -6.5C. Window heat inop: max speed 250kts below 10,000ft. Gravel Protect switch: ANTI-ICE position when using engine inlet anti-ice.
737-6/900 without stiffened elevator tabs: After any ground deicing/anti-icing of the horizontal stabilizer using Type II or Type IV fluids, airspeed must be limited to 270 KIAS until the crew has been informed that applicable maintenance procedures have been accomplished that would allow exceedance of 270 KIAS. Once the applicable maintenance procedures have been accomplished, exceeding 270 KIAS is permissible only until the next application of Type II or Type IV deicing/anti-icing fluids.
Airstairs Max windspeed for operation
May remain extended in winds up to
40kts
60kts
APU Max EGT
Max continuous EGT
760°C
710°C
Max alt using bleed and electrics Max alt using bleed only
Max alt using electrics only
10,000ft 17,000ft
35,000ft Garrett 35,000ft Garrett 37,000ft 37,000ft Sundstrand 41,000ft 737-NG 41,000ft 737-NG
Failed start wait times: Garrett:
No wait after 1st attempt 5mins after 2nd attempt 1hr after 3rd attempt
Sunds undstr tran and: d:
3 att attempt empts s then hen 30mi 30min n wait ait
APU bleed valve must be closed when: Ground air connected and isolation valve open Engine no. 1 bleed valve open Isolation and engine no. 2 bleed valves open. APU bleed valve may be open during engine start, but avoid engine power above idle.
Autopilot/Flight Director System 1/200: Use of autopilot not authorised for takeoff or landing. Do not use the autopilot roll channel above 30,000ft with yaw damper inoperative. Do not use autopilot pitch channel above 0.81M with hydraulic system A or B depressurised. Do not use ALT HOLD mode when Captain's alternate static source is selected.
3/500: Use of aileron trim with autopilot engaged is prohibited. Do not engage the autopilot for takeoff below 1000ft AGL. For single channel operation, the autopilot shall not be engaged below 50ft AGL. Maximum allowable wind speeds, when conducting a dual channel Cat II or Cat III landing predicated on autoland operations, are: Headwind 25 knots Crosswind 25 knots Tailwind: 10knots Maximum and minimum glideslope angles are 3.25 degrees and 2.5 degrees respectively. Autoland capability may only be used with flaps 30 or 40 and both engines operative.
6/900: Use of aileron trim with autopilot engaged is prohibited. Do not engage the autopilot for takeoff below 400ft AGL. For single channel operation during approach, the autopilot shall not remain engaged below 50ft AGL. The autopilot must be disengaged before the airplane descends more than 50 feet below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) unless it is coupled to an ILS glide slope and localizer or in the go-around mode. (JAA Rule).
Maximum allowable wind speeds, when conducting a dual channel Cat II or Cat III landing predicated on autoland operations, are: . Headwind 25 knots . Crosswind 25 knots . Tailwind: Varies between 0 and 15kts depending upon field elevation and flap setting. Maximum and minimum glideslope angles are 3.25 degrees and 2.5 degrees
respectively. Autoland capability may only be used with flaps 30 or 40 and both engines operative.
Communications Do not use VHF-3 (if installed for voice communication) for ATC communications with ACARS operational. Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System The ACARS is limited to the transmission and receipt of messages that will not create an unsafe condition if the message is improperly received, such as the following conditions: . the message or parts of the message are delayed or not received, . the message is delivered to the wrong recipient, or . the message content may be frequently corrupted. However, Pre-Departure Clearance, Digital Automatic Terminal Information Service, Oceanic Clearances, Weight and Balance and Takeoff Data messages can be transmitted and received over ACARS if they are verified per approved operational procedures.
HUD System Option - With HGS 4000 Phase I: AIII mode approach and landings are not approved for airplanes with Flight Dynamics Model 4000 Phase I HGS installed. With HGS 2350 and polar navigation: Do not use HUD System at latitudes greater than 85 degrees latitude or when the Heading Reference Switch is in the TRUE position.
Electrics TR voltage range
24-30 V
Battery voltage range
22-30 V (May be up to 33V during pulse mode charging)
Max engine gen drive oil temp Max engine gen drive rise Max engine gen load (1/200 only)
157°C 20°C 111 Amps
If aircraft is fitted with a VSCF, must operate within 45mins of 45mins of a suitable aerodrome.
Flight Controls Max flap extend altitude: altitude : 20,000ft In flight, do not extend speedbrake lever beyond FLIGHT DETENT. Holding in icing conditions with flaps extended is prohibited. Do not deploy the speedbrakes in flight at radio altitudes less than 1,000ft. Avoid rapid r apid and large alternating alternat ing control inputs, especially in combination with large changes in pitch, roll, or yaw (e.g. large side slip angles) as they may result in structural failure at any speed, including below VA.
737-6/900 without stiffened elevator tabs: Do not operate the airplane at speeds in excess of 300 KIAS with speedbrakes extended. WARNING: Use of speedbrakes at speeds in excess of 320 KIAS could result in a severe vibration, which, in turn, could cause extreme damage to the horizontal stabilizer. Alternate flap duty cycle: Flap Flap Posi osition tion 0 - 15 15 - 40
Minu Minute tes s Off Off 5 25
Flight Management, Navigation Do not operate weather radar near fuel spills or within 15 feet of people. Air Data Inertial Reference Unit: ADIRU alignment alignmen t must not be attempted attempt ed at latitudes greater than 78 degrees 15 minutes. The use of LNAV or VNAV with QFE selected is prohibited. FMC U7.2 or earlier: During VOR approaches, one pilot must have raw data from the VOR associated with the approach displayed on the EHSI VOR/ILS mode no later than the final approach fix. 737NG Only: Use of the vertical situation display during QFE operation is prohibited. Enhanced GPWS: Do not use the terrain display for navigation. Do not use the look-ahead terrain alerting and terrain display functions within 15 nm of takeoff, approach or landing at an airport not contained in the GPWS terrain database
Fuel Max temp Min temp
+49°C 737-1/500: -45°C or -45°C or freeze pt +3°C 737-6/900: -43°C or -43°C or freeze pt +3°C
Max lateral imbalance
453kg (=1,000lbs) Greater allowance given for unsymmetrical loads in cargo version.
Main tanks must be full if centre contains over 453kg For ground operation, centre tank pumps must be not be positioned to ON, unless defuelling or transferring fuel, if quantity is below 453kgs. Centre tank pumps must be switched OFF when both LP lights illuminate. Centre tank pumps must not be left ON unless personnel are available in the flight deck to monitor LP lights. Fuel crossfeed valve must be closed for takeoff and landing. (737NG only)
Hydraulic Power Minimum of 760kg fuel 760kg fuel required in respective tank for hydraulic pump operation.
Minimum of 88% required 88% required for despatch.
Landing Gear Do not apply brakes until after touchdown. Operation with assumed temperature reduced takeoff thrust is not permitted with anti-skid inoperative. Max speed, gear extension
270kt/0.82
Max speed, gear retraction
235kt
Max speed, gear extended
320kt/0.82
Performance Data Computer System (1/200 Only) Do not use the PDCS information unless the engine configuration displayed on the PDCS is the same as the engine configuration of the airplane. Fuel management and range calculations presented by the PDCS have not been evaluated by the FAA. Verify that the representative takeoff EPR limits displayed on the CDU and EPR indicators agree with the predetermined limits obtained from the flight manual.
Pneumatics Max external air pressure Max external air temp
60 psig
232°C
JT 8D-9
JT8D-17A
CF C F M56- 3
CF M56-7
Max time for take-off or goaround thrust:
5 min s
5 mins
5 mins
5 mins
Max N1
1 0 0 .1 %
1 0 2 .4 %
1 0 6%
1 0 4%
Max N2
1 0 0 .0 %
1 0 0 .0 %
1 0 5%
1 0 5%
Take-off
580° C
650° C
930° C
950° C
Continuous
540° C
610° C
895° C
925° C
Start
3 5 0 /4 2 0 ° C
575° C
725° C
725° C
165° C
155° C
Power Plant
Max EGT's:
Oil T's & P's Max temperature 15 minute limit
121121-15 157° 7°C C
131131-16 165° 5°C C
160160-16 165° 5°C C
140140-15 155° 5°C C
Max continuous
120° C
130° C
160° C
140° C
Min oil press
40p si
40p si
13p si (warning light), 26psi (gauge)
Min oil qty (at despatch)
13psi (warning light), 26psi (gauge)
3 US Gal or 3 US Gal or 75% 75% full 75% 75% full
CFM56-7 CFM56-7 limits: Maximum and minimum limits are red. Caution limits are amber. Pneumatic pressure prior to starter engagement: 30psi -1/2psi per 1000' amsl. (737-1/500 amsl. (737-1/500 Only) Starter duty cycle 1st attempt: 2min on, 20sec off 2nd & subsequent attempt: 2min on, 3min off Engine ignition must be on for: Takeoff, Landing, Operation in heavy rain and Anti-ice operation. operat ion. Intentional selection of reverse thrust in flight is prohibited.
Wind Limits for T/O & Landing Braking Action
Max X-wind
Mo t n e
Coefficient
Good
35kt
95
0 . 4+
Med/good
30kt
94
0.39-0.36
Medium
25kt
93
0.35-0.3
Med/poor
20kt
92
0.29-0.26
Poor
15kt
91
0.25 & less
Note 1. Different (reduced) x-wind guidelines are available for 30m wide runways. Note 2. Maximum windspeed for taxying is 65kts
Contaminated Runways Max depths as follows Dry snow
60m 60mm
Wet snow
13mm 13mm
Compacted snow / Slush
13mm 13mm
Standing water
13mm 13mm
NB Above -5°C snow is to be considered as slush.
Min Width for Snow Clearance Width
Depth
Central 30m
13mm 13mm
Next 8m (38)
23cm 23cm
Next 16m (54m width)
38cm 38cm
Beyond 54m
120cm 120cm
