The Impact of Large Aircraft on Aircraft Management

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According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aircraft certification, “a large aircraft refers to an aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds which is the maximum certificated takeoff weight.” The heaviest and largest aircraft in the world have a maximum takeoff weight of over 600 tons. Since larger aircraft have greater capacity, as well as advanced technological features, airport management needs to make changes that cater to their operation. The first reaction of management at large airports was to restrict the new, large aircraft by assigning them to specific terminals, routes and runways. However, this led to delays and air traffic congestion. Given the growing number of new, large aircraft, the only safe and efficient way to manage air transport is to upgrade infrastructure. This paper will focus on the impact that newer, larger aircraft have on airport management. In discussing this, we will look at the changes that have taken place since these aircraft entered service.

In the recent years, more people have been traveling by air. According to Yeamans (2006), the number of passengers who travel by air is rising at a rate of 5% annually. This is expected to double and triple within 15 and 20 years, respectively. Larger aircraft are being developed to handle the influx of passengers in airports. The Airbus industry made the first large aircraft, including the Boeing 777 and the A380. It is important to note that these aircraft are bigger than the initial B747-400. However, as the need for air travel increased, aircraft manufacturers developed the “super jumbo” jet, which has a carrying capacity of 555 to 800 passengers (Yeamans, 2006).

Most large aircraft have wingspans of over 262 feet. This calls for expansion of the a...

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...s and renovating old ones. In addition, more people have been employed to manage the growing operation system. It has been expensive to construct new facilities and adapt old ones. Nevertheless, with good and affordable infrastructure, new large aircraft can solve many problems in our airports, such as missed flights and delays.

Works Cited

Chiu, C. & Walton, C. (2003). Impacts of new large aircraft on passenger flows at international airport terminals. Texas: University of Texas at Austin.

Fenske, M. (2005). Large aircraft and maintainance. New York: Cambridge University press.

Renitta, M. (2007). Airfields Accommodation. New York: Oxford University press.

Yeamans, D. (2006). Expansion of terminal capacity .New York: Oxford University press.

Wirasinghe, C. (2004). NLA gates construction. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 130 No. 2, pg. 141-149.

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