AIM

4/3/14

4−3−7

Airport Operations

report declared distances for a runway if necessary

to meet runway design standards or to indicate the

presence of a clearway or stopway. Where reported,

declared distances for each runway end are

published in the Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD).

For runways without published declared distances,

the declared distances may be assumed to be equal to

the physical length of the runway unless there is a

displaced landing threshold, in which case the

Landing Distance Available (LDA) is shortened by

the amount of the threshold displacement.

NOTE

−

A symbol 

 is shown on U.S. Government charts to

indicate that runway declared distance information is
available (See appropriate A/FD, Alaska, or Pacific
Supplement).

(a)

The FAA uses the following definitions

for runway declared distances (See FIG 4−3−4):

REFERENCE

−

Pilot/Controller Glossary Terms: “Accelerate

−Stop Distance

Available,” “Landing Distance Available,” “Takeoff Distance
Available,” “Takeoff Run Available,” ” Stopway,” and “Clearway.”

(1)

Takeoff Run Available (TORA) – The

runway length declared available and suitable for

the ground run of an airplane taking off.

The TORA is typically the physical length of the

runway, but it may be shorter than the runway length

if necessary to satisfy runway design standards. For

example, the TORA may be shorter than the runway

length if a portion of the runway must be used to

satisfy runway protection zone requirements.

(2)

Takeoff Distance Available (TODA) –

The takeoff run available plus the length of any

remaining runway or clearway beyond the far end of

the takeoff run available.

The TODA is the distance declared available for

satisfying takeoff distance requirements for airplanes

where the certification and operating rules and

available performance data allow for the considera-

tion of a clearway in takeoff performance

computations.

NOTE

−

The length of any available clearway will be included in the
TODA published in the A/FD’s entry for that runway end.

(3)

Accelerate−Stop Distance Available

(ASDA) – The runway plus stopway length declared

available and suitable for the acceleration and

deceleration of an airplane aborting a takeoff.

The ASDA may be longer than the physical length of

the runway when a stopway has been designated

available by the airport operator, or it may be shorter

than the physical length of the runway if necessary to

use a portion of the runway to satisfy runway design

standards; for example, where the airport operator

uses a portion of the runway to achieve the runway

safety area requirement. ASDA is the distance used

to satisfy the airplane accelerate−stop distance

performance requirements where the certification

and operating rules require accelerate−stop distance

computations.

NOTE

−

The length of any available stopway will be included in the
ASDA published in the A/FD’s entry for that runway end.

(4)

Landing Distance Available (LDA) −

The runway length declared available and suitable

for a landing airplane.
The LDA may be less than the physical length of the

runway or the length of the runway remaining beyond

a displaced threshold if necessary to satisfy runway

design standards;for example, where the airport

operator uses a portion of the runway to achieve the

runway safety area requirement.
Although some runway elements (such as stopway

length and clearway length) may be available

information, pilots must use the declared distances

determined by the airport operator and not attempt to

independently calculate declared distances by

adding those elements to the reported physical

length of the runway.

(b)

The airplane operating rules and/or the

airplane operating limitations establish minimum

distance requirements for takeoff and landing and

are based on performance data supplied in the

Airplane Flight Manual or Pilot’s Operating

Handbook. The minimum distances required for

takeoff and landing obtained either in planning

prior to takeoff or in performance assessments

conducted at the time of landing must fall within the

applicable declared distances before the pilot can

accept that runway for takeoff or landing.

(c)

Runway design standards may impose

restrictions on the amount of runway available for

use in takeoff and landing that are not apparent

from the reported physical length of the runway or

from runway markings and lighting. The runway

elements of Runway Safety Area (RSA), Runway

Object Free Area (ROFA), and Runway Protection