Conclusions

Based on the preceding analysis, we derive several important observations and calculations regarding aircraft operations on soft fields. First, we show that for a given fixed ramp weight, there exists an optimum landing weight and that this optimum landing weight is not equal to the maximum aircraft landing weight. This optimum landing weight can also be expressed as an optimum cargo weight, and this optimum cargo weight is found to be independent of both field CBR and aircraft ramp weight. In fact, for the C-17A with a ramp weight of 315,000 1b, the optimum landing weight is less than the