Analysis of the influence of air quality on the performance of the Boeing 737-800 evaluated during takeoff at El Dorado Airport

Abstract

This paper analyzes how the Bogotá’s air quality and pollutant levels affects the Boeing 737-800 take-off performance in terms of the available runway distances and maximum \newtext{take-off} weight, which are two of the most restrictive factors in airlines' operation. The airport runway's physical characteristics, geographical position, surroundings, and atmospheric conditions affect the maximum aircraft \newtext{take-off} weight. This study examines: (a) the influence of pollutants in Bogotá’s air quality and its subsequent effects in air density; (b) the maximum available polluting agents and relative humidity measures in this city; (c) the maximum take-off weight of the aircraft with and without air degradation due to atmospheric considerations. Software called “Aircraft Take-Off Software” has been developed to determine the B737-800 most limiting take-off weight of in specific geographical and atmospheric conditions. This study reflects the effect of high populated cities pollution on the aircraft operational performance which analysis has demonstrated that the presence of high carbon dioxide concentrations in the air increase the B737-800 payload capacity taking off from Bogotá but in the other hand, relative humidity variation decreases this capacity drastically, showing that considering Bogotá’s relative humidity and pollutant levels, the most restrictive weight situation for the take-off phase is the “Climb Limit Take-Off Weight”; however, as it is an aerodynamic study of the pollutants influence in engine combustion the structural integrity was not considered and for further investigation it should be considered to determine more accurately the most restrictive take-off weight.