This interactive 3D physics simulation models a jet accelerating from rest along an airport runway. Adjust the runway length, throttle acceleration, and required takeoff velocity to determine whether the aircraft can safely reach takeoff speed before the end of the runway.
Because the jet starts from rest, v₀ = 0. The minimum distance required to reach takeoff speed is therefore:
A greater acceleration allows the jet to reach the required takeoff velocity in a shorter distance.
The required runway distance depends on the square of the takeoff velocity. Increasing the required velocity can greatly increase the distance needed for takeoff.
A runway is long enough only when the available runway length is greater than or equal to the distance needed for the jet to reach takeoff speed.
For a jet accelerating from rest at 1.8 m/s² and requiring a takeoff velocity of 76 m/s:
A 1600 m runway is therefore long enough, leaving 195.6 m of runway when the aircraft reaches takeoff speed.