Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, is renowned for its no-frills approach to air travel. Passengers often associate the airline with efficiency-driven operations, from its famously short turnaround times to its minimalist onboard service. However, one aspect of the Ryanair experience frequently draws attention: the perception of harder-than-average landings. This article delves into the operational and technical realities behind these landings, examining whether this reputation is deserved and what factors contribute to passenger experiences.
Understanding Hard Landings
In aviation, a “hard landing” is defined as a touchdown with a higher-than-normal vertical load factor, measured in g-forces. The specifics vary by aircraft type, but a landing is typically classified as “hard” when it involves vertical forces of 2G or more.
For context:
• Normal landings generate less than 1.8G of vertical force.
• Hard landings exceed 2G, which equates to twice the force of gravity.
Boeing aircraft, including the 737 models used by Ryanair, are certified to handle descent rates up to 600 feet per minute (fpm) and vertical forces of 2.6G at maximum landing weight (MLW). These figures demonstrate the robust engineering of commercial airliners, ensuring they can handle firm landings without compromising structural integrity.
Ryanair Operations and Firm Landings
The perception of harder landings on Ryanair flights is influenced by several operational and technical factors. While these landings fall well within safety parameters, they are shaped by the airline’s priorities, route characteristics, and fleet design.
1. Aircraft Design
Ryanair’s fleet consists predominantly of Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX aircraft. These models are designed for operational efficiency but have characteristics that can influence landing performance:
• The Boeing 737-800 has a long fuselage, requiring pilots to execute a precise flare during landing to avoid tailstrikes.
• The landing gear design is optimised for durability and safety but may transmit more impact force to the cabin compared to other aircraft types.
This combination prioritises safety and operational robustness but may make landings feel firmer compared to shorter aircraft or those with different suspension systems.
2. Operational Efficiency
Ryanair’s turnaround time of just 25 minutes is a key factor in its profitability. A firm landing allows the aircraft to decelerate quickly, vacate the runway sooner, and proceed to its next gate without delays. Consider the following:
• A Boeing 737-800 landing at 120 knots (222 km/h) requires approximately 2,500 feet (762 metres) to decelerate using reverse thrust and braking.
• A firm touchdown ensures optimal tyre-to-runway traction, critical for achieving this deceleration efficiently.
3. Runway Lengths
Ryanair frequently operates at secondary airports with shorter runways. For example:
• London Stansted has a runway length of 3,049 metres.
• Pisa Airport offers 2,793 metres.
• Treviso Airport’s runway is only 2,420 metres long.
Smaller airports require precise and controlled landings, which may include a firmer touchdown to ensure the aircraft stops safely within the available runway length.
Physics of a Landing: Explaining the Impact
To better understand firm landings, let’s consider the energy involved in a Boeing 737-800 landing. Assume the following specifications:
• Landing weight: 62,700 kilograms.
• Approach speed: 140 knots (259 kilometres per hour).
• Vertical descent rate: 250 feet per minute (1.27 metres per second).
The kinetic energy at touchdown can be calculated using the formula:
Kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × velocity²
Substituting the values:
Mass = 62,700 kilograms
Velocity = 140 knots, which converts to 71.8 metres per second
Kinetic energy = 0.5 × 62,700 × (71.8 × 71.8)
Kinetic energy = 0.5 × 62,700 × 5157.2
Kinetic energy = 161,970,240 joules
This energy must be dissipated through braking, reverse thrust, and friction between the tyres and the runway. A firm landing ensures this energy is transferred effectively, enhancing safety and reducing stopping distance.
Ryanair’s Safety Record
Ryanair has maintained an outstanding safety record throughout its operational history. Despite operating one of the most extensive route networks in Europe and maintaining one of the highest daily aircraft utilisation rates, the airline has never experienced a fatal crash.
Key highlights of Ryanair’s safety practices include:
• Post-landing inspections: Any landing classified as “hard” undergoes rigorous inspection to confirm the aircraft’s structural integrity.
• Proactive maintenance: Ryanair’s fleet is subject to stringent maintenance protocols, ensuring all systems meet or exceed regulatory standards.
This commitment to safety underscores that firm landings are a matter of operational necessity rather than a reflection of risk.
Comparing Aircraft: Boeing vs Airbus
Passenger perception plays a significant role in the discussion of hard landings. Aircraft like the Airbus A320 are often perceived as providing smoother landings, partly due to differences in landing gear design and cockpit automation. In contrast, Boeing’s manual controls and mechanical feedback systems can result in firmer touchdowns, particularly on longer fuselage models like the 737-800.
These differences are largely subjective. Both Airbus and Boeing aircraft are designed to meet the same stringent safety standards, and landing firmness often depends more on operational factors than on the aircraft itself.
Conclusion
Ryanair’s reputation for firm landings is shaped by a combination of factors, including its fleet composition, operational priorities, and the unique challenges of its route network. While these landings may feel abrupt, they are often the safest and most efficient option under specific conditions.
Passengers can take confidence in Ryanair’s exemplary safety record and the robust engineering of its Boeing 737 fleet. Whether landing on a short runway or during adverse weather, Ryanair’s firm landings prioritise passenger and crew safety above all else.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on the facts and information available at the time of writing.
