RFI Calculator

Another flight aviation application from PunkStar Studios.

This is based on the CRFI (Canadian Runway Friction Index), your licensing country may have their own tables.

The first half of the program calculates your cross wind component (enter in the wind heading and speed, followed by the runway heading).

Step 1 : Can you land with that much cross wind?

You are also given your CRFI limit for that cross wind (rounded up for safety). If you have a 15kt crosswind component, your RFI must not be less than .4 if the runway is not bare and dry (i.e. contaminated).

If it has compacted snow and ATC/ATIS reports a RFI of .2, you shouldn't land.

If however the runway has a reported RFI of .45 the next step is to check the runway length.

Let's say your aircraft requires a landing distance of 2800ft. With a CRFI of .45 the runway will have to be at least 5290 feet. "On paper" the use of reverse thrusters allows for a shorter runway, but practically speaking most pilots will use the safer "non-thrust reverse" numbers for their calculations.

Be sure to touch the little (i) symbol on the main screen for an information page.

This program is for reference ONLY, any doubt or errors refer to government issued documents

"I personally use several of the PunkStar Studio iPhone/iPod applications. Some, like the Cold Air Calculator, are incredibly useful for even the most advanced pilot, while others, like the Hold Pattern Calculator, are perfect for demonstrations with my students (who are thrilled when they see it for the first time). I'm a loyal customer/user of several of the PunkStar Studio apps (even non-aviation related) and look forward to their future releases. I highly recommend their products to all aviators, from the professional airline pilot and flight instructor to the casual pilot."
- Ed Pasquale ATPL
Transport Canada Pilot Examiner and Seneca College Flight Instructor