Limitations
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Note: Not all limitations given here are AFM
Operational
Runway slope limits +/-2%
Max takeoff / landing tailwind component 10kts (May be 15kts as customer option)
No tailwind component allowed on contaminated runways.
Max windspeed for taxing 65kts
Turbulent airspeed 1/200: 280kts/.70M
3/500: 280kts/.73M
6/900: 280kts/.76M
Max operating altitude 1/500: 37,000ft
NG & MAX: 41,000ft
Maximum Takeoff and Landing Altitude 8,400ft (12,000ft high altitude option)
Max precipitation depth for takeoff or landing Dry snow 60mm
Water, wet snow, slush 13mm. (AFM=15mm)
Max demonstrated crosswind 1/200: 31kts
3/500: 35kts
NG: 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
200 feet.
The maximum allowable on-the-ground altitude display differences for RVSM operations are:
737-1/500
Max Diff between Max Diff between Captain or
Field Elevation
Captain & F/O F/O and Field Elevation
Sea Level 40 ft 75 ft
45 ft 75 ft
50 ft 75 ft
Max Diff between Max Diff between Captain or
Field Elevation
Captain & F/O F/O and Field Elevation
Sea Level to 5,000ft 50 ft 75 ft
5,001 to 10,000ft 60 ft 75 ft
Weight Limitations
Too many taxi, takeoff, landing & zero fuel limitations to list here.
Air Systems
Max cabin differential pressure (relief 1/500: 8.65 psi
valves)
6/900: 9.10 psi
Max cabin diff for takeoff & landing 0.125 psi (236ft below airport
PA)
One pack may be inoperative FL250
provided maximum altitude is limited
to
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 40kts
May remain extended in winds up to 60kts
APU
Max EGT 760°C
Max continuous EGT 710°C
Max alt using bleed and electrics 10,000ft
Max alt using bleed only 17,000ft
Max alt using electrics only 35,000ft Garrett
37,000ft Sundstrand
41,000ft 737-NG & MAX
Failed start wait times:
Garrett: No wait after 1st attempt
5mins after 2nd attempt
1hr after 3rd attempt
Sundstrand: 3 attempts then 30min wait
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 157°C
Max engine gen drive rise 20°C
Max engine gen load (1/200 only) 111 Amps
If aircraft is fitted with a VSCF, must operate within 45mins of a suitable aerodrome.
Flight Controls
Max flap extend 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 and large alternating 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 Position Minutes Off
0 - 15 5
15 - 40 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 must not be
attempted 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 +49°C
Min temp 737-1/500: -45°C or freeze pt +3°C
737-6/900: -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 required in respective tank for hydraulic pump operation.
Minimum of 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 60 psig
Max external air temp 232°C
Power Plant
JT8D-9 JT8D- CFM56-3 CFM56-7
17A
Max time 5 mins 5 5 mins 5 mins
for take-off mins
or go-
around
thrust:
Max N1 100.1% 102.4 106% 104%
%
Max N2 100.0% 100.0 105% 105%
%
Max
EGT's:
Take-off 580°C 650°C 930°C 950°C
Continuou 540°C 610°C 895°C 925°C
s
Start 350/420° 575°C 725°C 725°C
C
Oil T's &
P's
Max 165°C 155°C
temperatur
e
15 minute 121- 131- 160-165°C 140-155°C
limit 157°C 165°C
Max 120°C 130°C 160°C 140°C
continuous
Min oil 40psi 40psi 13psi (warning 13psi (warning
press light), 26psi (gaug light), 26psi (gaug
e) e)
Min oil qty 3 US Gal 3 US Gal
(at or 75% full or 75% full
despatch)
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
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.
Intentional selection of reverse thrust in flight is prohibited.
Wind Limits for T/O & Landing
Braking Action Max X-wind Motne 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 60mm NB Above -5°C snow is to be
considered as slush.
Wet snow 13mm
Compacted snow / 13mm
Slush
Standing water 13mm
Min Width for Snow Clearance
Width Depth
Central 30m 13mm
Next 8m (38) 23cm
Next 16m (54m width) 38cm
Beyond 54m 120cm