Pt. 91 Climb gradient

[Big Picture]

Hi all,

I am new to Flightinfo and thought this might be a good place to gather a little perspective on an issue I'm having.

First, I have just recently left a 7 year career in the regionals and gone to work for a large Pt. 91 company. We have several jets, all Pt. 25 certified.

Now my question. I am curious as to how other pt. 91 departments treat DP climb gradients. The reason I ask is that my dept. takes a very lax attitude when it comes to meeting the gradients on a particular chart. The attitude is literally "if we can make the gradient great, but if not, we don't want to tell the boss we can't go. He might see other jets taking off and wonder what's wrong with us". To me, this is sheer lunacy but it appears that I'm in the minority right now.

Coming from a 121 background where we had to meet the gradient on a net basis, I assumed that there would be a similar rule for pt. 91 operators. Despite searching the FAR's, I have yet to find anything in writing that says we must meet the gradients. And to be clear, I realize that most stated gradients only apply to a certain min vis and ceiling. Above that and it's "see and avoid".

What does everyone think? Luckily, the wx has been good enough for this not to be an issue yet, but I'd like to get this figured out before we head into the winter season.

 

[Lead Sled]

Welcome to the asylum. By any chance do you happen to be flying for a company in the Pacific NW? Give us some specific examples.

'Sled

 

[some_dude]

Not this again! I'm going to try to stay out of this one.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Hi all,

I am new to Flightinfo and thought this might be a good place to gather a little perspective on an issue I'm having.

First, I have just recently left a 7 year career in the regionals and gone to work for a large Pt. 91 company. We have several jets, all Pt. 25 certified.

Now my question. I am curious as to how other pt. 91 departments treat DP climb gradients. The reason I ask is that my dept. takes a very lax attitude when it comes to meeting the gradients on a particular chart. The attitude is literally "if we can make the gradient great, but if not, we don't want to tell the boss we can't go. He might see other jets taking off and wonder what's wrong with us". To me, this is sheer lunacy but it appears that I'm in the minority right now.

Coming from a 121 background where we had to meet the gradient on a net basis, I assumed that there would be a similar rule for pt. 91 operators. Despite searching the FAR's, I have yet to find anything in writing that says we must meet the gradients. And to be clear, I realize that most stated gradients only apply to a certain min vis and ceiling. Above that and it's "see and avoid".

What does everyone think? Luckily, the wx has been good enough for this not to be an issue yet, but I'd like to get this figured out before we head into the winter season.

Please...what "Large PT 91" company acts like this?

do tell.

 

[Big Picture]

Whoops. I didn't realize that the search button only shows up after you log in. I found a great thread which I'll have to digest over the next day or two.

I apologize for being so vague about who and where I work. I've only been employed there for a little over two months and don't want to create too many waves just yet.

Many thanks for the help so far. Looks like this place has a lot of good info.

 

[2EASYPilot]

Not sure what flight planning provider you use but Arinc direct has a good runway analysis program that also provides alternate proceedures for many airports. Might be a good recommendation to the new boss to see how close you really are for some of these problem airports. Remember (I know we have been through this before) legally under under part 91 all that is considered in departure procedures is all engines operating, that's why I like ARINC's program, It lets you know what weights you can do one engine inop and still not hit the rock's !!

 

[HawkerF/O]

Big Picture, you should have looked around here before posting that. I don't know who you work for, but "Spooky Ones" tend to lurk about. Hmmmmmm

Hmmmmmm

Whoops. I didn't realize that the search button only shows up after you log in. I found a great thread which I'll have to digest over the next day or two.

I apologize for being so vague about who and where I work. I've only been employed there for a little over two months and don't want to create too many waves just yet.

Many thanks for the help so far. Looks like this place has a lot of good info.

 

[joevollers]

Big Picture..
Eveyone likes to put two cents in and not toouch the question..Meaning they hopefully Buy performance data from Jepps or some other source..Frighteningly though, I suspect they do not and do not give it much thought..
At the Corporate outfit I was just out we solved the puzzle like this..
standard Ifr terrain separation 200 feet per nautical mile==3.3 degree climb gradient so if it's IMC that's what our single engine performance was = or > in order for us to operate.. If a sid required more you must convert to gradient. But 3.3 is what you need for normal ops without an anlayzed break out procedure
In vmc just make sure you have the min required by the specific make model...

 

[Lead Sled]

I'm not afraid to address the question, I've posted my share on this very topic in the past. I was simply curious as to what company he was referring to. I understand that he is probably retiscent in naming names, but if it's an Oregon based company then I probably know which one he's referring to. If that's the case he's in for a few more surprises. 2EasyPilot hit the nail on the head - DP climb gradients are based on all engines operational regardless as to whether it Part 91, 135, or 121.

The real issue is whether they have a viable "Plan B" (escape procedure) in place in case they loose an engine. This is where resources like Jeppesen's Ops Planning, etc. come into play.

'Sled

 

[HMR]

Big Picture..
Eveyone likes to put two cents in and not toouch the question...

Are you serious?

Run a search on this topic. It's been covered many times with excellent info from Lead Sled, among others.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Big Picture..
Eveyone likes to put two cents in and not toouch the question..Meaning they hopefully Buy performance data from Jepps or some other source..Frighteningly though, I suspect they do not and do not give it much thought..
At the Corporate outfit I was just out we solved the puzzle like this..
standard Ifr terrain separation 200 feet per nautical mile==3.3 degree climb gradient so if it's IMC that's what our single engine performance was = or > in order for us to operate.. If a sid required more you must convert to gradient. But 3.3 is what you need for normal ops without an anlayzed break out procedure
In vmc just make sure you have the min required by the specific make model...

gee thanks.

Or maybe spring for the few bucks and just get ultranav instead or relying on your mickey mouse math and 1920's chart interpretation for performance planning. Way Ametuer.

but thanks for the lesson, we were all really curious.....I was just about to drift off to lala land like every six months at FSI perf day....

.

Is that 3.3% gross or net? what does the chart display?.....yawn....

 

[h25b]

Get UltraNav and be done with it... And if your employer doesn't want to abide by common sense safety procedures, look for another job...

 

[G100driver]

It sounds like Ulta-Nav does not solve the problem. If it say 1.7% they are going anyhow.

 

[h25b]

It sounds like Ulta-Nav does not solve the problem. If it say 1.7% they are going anyhow.

Good point... Still say he/she needs to start looking for another job... Would love to know what "large pt. 91" company this is.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

It sounds like Ulta-Nav does not solve the problem. If it say 1.7% they are going anyhow.

true...

why ask here then? If he dosen't change the rules or quit the job just shut your mouth, fill it up with gas, and takeoff...

and really, you can fly like this your entire career and still have a better chance of dying crossing the street....

(theres a good attitude huh?)

 

[Singlecoil]

"Sir, I don't think we should go today because if we lose an engine, we may not be able to clear the terrain in our jet."
"Hmmm. Well then, go hop in that PC-12 and launch in that then. Does that make you feel safer? They're both legal under the regs."

 

[h25b]

"Sir, I don't think we should go today because if we lose an engine, we may not be able to clear the terrain in our jet."
"Hmmm. Well then, go hop in that PC-12 and launch in that then. Does that make you feel safer? They're both legal under the regs."

You and I have debated this before, I think... The above is spoken like a true goon with no true understanding of how things should operate at any reputable operator, large or small... I've been around long enough to know that there's not many high level Fortune 500 execs. that would set foot on or even suggest the PC-12.

 

[LJ45]

other dangers

Just to add to the debate what about the extra take off and landing if a fuel stop is needed. Lots of danger and exposure for more problems in doing an extra take off and landing!

Something to think about in the big picture... and no way am I advocating some type of unsafe operation.


Just thinking about that fuel stop that CE-560 was making for fuel in Pueblo. Of courses, in hind site they should have stopped someplace with better weather.

 

[fokkerjet]

Just to add to the debate what about the extra take off and landing if a fuel stop is needed. Lots of danger and exposure for more problems in doing an extra take off and landing!

Would it not be safer to just leave the airplane in the hangar? Flying is a "dangerous" profession and that's why we get paid the big bucks .

Take this a step farther; When I fly the simulator on windshear day, I almost always fly through it. Does that mean that when a windshear is reported by tower that I just land, ignoring the warnings, because that's what the boss would expect me to do and since my airplane is equipped with all this gee wiz equipment? On take off, what are the odds that I will experience an engine failure? Pretty low, so lets load the airplane up and depart because the odds are we will make it. De-ice the airplane; well I "know" we don't need de-icing so lets save some money and go before it starts snowing harder.

Personally I want as much on my side as possible, and if a fuel stop is the lesser of two evils, a fuel stop it is.

 

[G100driver]

"Sir, I don't think we should go today because if we lose an engine, we may not be able to clear the terrain in our jet."
"Hmmm. Well then, go hop in that PC-12 and launch in that then. Does that make you feel safer? They're both legal under the regs."

Response: "illegal operation is still illegal operation, Sir. Sir, you should ask yourself this, how does it sound at the hearing when we survived and we killed the bosses children. Sir, do you want to be held personally liable for operating an unsafe airplane? I do not. I still need to put my children through college, Sir.":uzi: