SR22T Runway Brief Skill

Quick takeoff and landing performance calculator for Cirrus SR22T operations at any runway worldwide.

Overview

This Claude Skill provides rapid, accurate performance analysis for SR22T runway operations without requiring full flight planning tools. Perfect for:

• Quick feasibility checks at unfamiliar airports
• Hot/cold day performance verification
• Backcountry strip analysis
• Return flight margin checks after weather changes
• Training scenarios and what-if calculations

What This Skill Provides

Takeoff Brief:

• Pressure and density altitude calculations
• Wind component analysis
• Takeoff distance and runway margin
• Climb gradients (91 KIAS and 120 KIAS)
• CAPS deployment altitudes
• Phased emergency procedures
• Departure passenger briefing script
• GO/NO-GO decision with reasoning

Landing Brief:

• Pressure and density altitude calculations
• Wind component analysis
• Flap configuration recommendation
• Approach speeds with gust corrections
• Landing distance and runway margin
• Wind technique guidance
• Go-around considerations
• Arrival passenger briefing script
• GO/NO-GO decision with reasoning

Quick Start

Required Inputs (7 items):

1. Runway elevation (feet MSL)
2. Current temperature (°C)
3. Current altimeter (inHg)
4. Wind direction (degrees magnetic)
5. Wind speed (knots)
6. Runway heading (degrees magnetic)
7. Runway length (feet)

Optional: Wind gusts, Operation type

Example Usage in Claude

Using the SR22T Runway Brief skill:

Runway: 09 at KSUN (Sun Valley, 5,318 ft elevation)
Temperature: 28°C
Altimeter: 30.12
Winds: 120/8
Runway heading: 092° magnetic
Runway length: 7,550 ft
Operation: Takeoff

Claude will provide a complete brief in ~30 seconds.

File Structure

runway-brief/
├── SKILL.md                          # Main skill workflow
├── README.md                         # This file
├── references/
│   ├── sr22t_performance_data.py    # Complete POH tables
│   ├── calculation_functions.py     # All formulas with tests
│   └── v-speeds-reference.md        # Configuration selection guide
└── examples/
    ├── example-high-da-takeoff.md   # Mountain airport scenario
    └── example-crosswind-landing.md # Gusty conditions scenario

Installation

For Claude Desktop (when Skills launch)

1. Zip this directory:

   cd skills
   zip -r runway-brief.zip runway-brief/
   

2. Upload to Claude → Settings → Skills → Add Skill

3. Select skill type:

   • Personal: Available across all your projects
   • Project: Scoped to current project only

For ChatGPT/Gemini (manual attachment)

1. Create .zip as above
2. Attach to conversation
3. Invoke with: "Using the SR22T Runway Brief skill attached, [your inputs]"

Usage Examples

Example 1: Quick Takeoff Check

Scenario: Standing at unfamiliar backcountry strip, need to know if you can depart safely.

Input:

Runway 24, elevation 6,200 ft
Temp 32°C, Altimeter 29.85, Winds 240/12
Runway length 4,500 ft
Takeoff brief only

Output: Complete brief with:

• Density altitude: 9,450 ft (high DA warning)
• Takeoff distance: 3,200 ft
• Runway margin: 1,300 ft (29% - ADEQUATE)
• GO WITH CAUTION decision + specific recommendations

Time: ~30 seconds vs 5+ minutes with full tool

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Example 2: Hot Day Return Check

Scenario: Flew into mountain airport in cool morning. Now 15:00, temps climbed. Can you still land safely?

Input:

Runway 09, elevation 5,500 ft
Temp 35°C (was 18°C this morning)
Altimeter 30.10, Winds 110/15 gusting 22
Runway length 6,000 ft
Landing brief

Output: Complete brief with:

• Density altitude: 9,200 ft (vs 6,800 ft this morning)
• Landing config: 50% flaps (gusts)
• Landing distance: 3,400 ft
• Margin: 2,600 ft (76% - GOOD)
• GO decision but recommends waiting for cooler temps if flexible

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Example 3: Both Operations (Round-Trip Analysis)

Input:

Operation: Both
[Same inputs as above]

Output: Both briefs PLUS comparative analysis:

• Takeoff margin: 2,100 ft (47%)
• Landing margin: 2,600 ft (76%)
• Most restrictive: Takeoff
• Recommendation: Depart now (cooler), return later (hotter but still adequate)

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Skill Features

Automatic Safety Logic

GO/NO-GO Categories:

• NO-GO: Margin <0 ft (required > available)
• GO WITH CAUTION: Margin 0-25%
• GO: Margin >25%

Automatic Warnings:

• High density altitude (>8,000 ft)
• Crosswinds (10+ kt moderate, 15+ kt strong)
• Gusty conditions (10+ kt gust factor)
• Tailwind component (any amount flagged)
• Short runways (<3,000 ft)

Configuration Logic

Landing flap selection:

• Full flaps: Crosswind <10 kt, gusts <10 kt
• 50% flaps: Crosswind 10-15 kt OR gusts ≥10 kt
• No flaps: Crosswind >15 kt

Gust corrections:

• Adds half the gust factor to approach speed
• Applied to final approach only (not touchdown)

Passenger Briefing

Departure brief includes:

• Flight context and weather tone
• CAPS safety system mention (mandatory)
• Specific passenger preparation

Arrival brief includes:

• Time to landing estimate
• Sterile cockpit explanation (mandatory)
• Seatbelt and loose items reminder

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Validation & Testing

Calculation Accuracy

All formulas tested against known values:

• ✅ Pressure altitude calculations
• ✅ Density altitude formulas
• ✅ Wind component trigonometry
• ✅ Bilinear interpolation

See references/calculation_functions.py for test cases.

Performance Data Source

• Aircraft: Cirrus SR22T
• Weight: 3,600 lb (max gross)
• Source: 2023 Cirrus SR22T POH
• Tables: Takeoff distance, landing distance, climb gradients

Consistency Testing

Run same inputs multiple times - outputs should be identical (±0 ft variance on rounded values).

Test case:

PA 4000 ft, Temp 25°C, Calm winds
Expected: Takeoff distance 2,748 ft (every run)

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Limitations

This skill does NOT:

• ❌ Fetch live weather (you input ATIS/METAR data)
• ❌ Parse Garmin Pilot briefings
• ❌ Analyze route weather (TFRs, SIGMETs)
• ❌ Calculate fuel requirements
• ❌ Perform weight & balance
• ❌ Provide magnetic variation (you provide magnetic headings)

This skill DOES:

• ✅ Calculate performance accurately from POH data
• ✅ Assess runway margins with GO/NO-GO guidance
• ✅ Recommend flap configurations for conditions
• ✅ Generate passenger briefing scripts
• ✅ Provide technique guidance for winds

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Troubleshooting

"Output varies between runs"

Problem: Getting different distances for same inputs Solution: Check that you're using exact Python code from references/calculation_functions.py. Don't let Claude approximate - use provided interpolation algorithms.

"Flap configuration seems wrong"

Problem: Full flaps recommended when crosswind is 12 kt Solution: Check gust factor. If gusts <10 kt and crosswind <15 kt, full flaps may be correct. See references/v-speeds-reference.md for decision tree.

"Passenger brief missing CAPS mention"

Problem: Departure brief doesn't mention CAPS Solution: This is a validation failure. CAPS mention is mandatory for every departure brief. Re-run with validation checklist.

"Margins seem too optimistic"

Problem: Skill says GO but you're uncomfortable Solution: Skill uses POH data for max gross weight. If lighter, actual performance will be better. But if density altitude is very high, consider the GO WITH CAUTION guidance seriously.

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Advanced Usage

Scenario Planning

Use skill to test multiple scenarios:

Scenario A: Current conditions (32°C, winds 15G22)
Scenario B: Wait 2 hours (28°C estimated, winds calm)
Scenario C: Depart opposite runway (headwind vs tailwind)

Compare margins and make informed decision

Training Tool

Instructors can use skill to:

• Demonstrate high-DA impact (same airport, vary temperature)
• Show crosswind configuration logic (vary wind angle)
• Teach runway margin assessment (vary runway length)

Pre-Buy Evaluation

Considering buying into SR22T partnership?

• Test typical airports you'd fly to
• Verify performance meets mission needs
• Understand hot-day limitations

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Future Enhancements (Not in v1.0)

Potential additions:

• Multi-aircraft support (SR22, SR20, other models)
• Weight & balance integration
• Short-field technique recommendations
• Contaminated runway adjustments (wet, snow)
• Metric unit support

Feedback welcome: Open an issue on GitHub

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Safety Notes

CRITICAL AVIATION SAFETY:

This skill uses certified POH performance data, but YOU are the pilot in command:

1. Cross-check calculations - Verify critical numbers match POH
2. Conservative margins - Add personal minimums beyond skill's GO/NO-GO
3. Current proficiency - GO decision assumes proficiency in technique
4. Weather changes - Conditions can change between brief and operation
5. Emergency plan - Always have abort/go-around plan

The skill provides data. YOU make the final decision.

In case of doubt: Delay departure, request alternate runway, or divert. No schedule is worth compromising safety.

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Version History

v1.0.0 (2025-01-20)

• Initial release
• Takeoff and landing brief workflows
• Complete POH data tables
• Passenger briefing generation
• Examples for high-DA and crosswind scenarios

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Credits

Aircraft Data: Cirrus SR22T POH (2023 Revision) License: MIT

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Support

Questions or Issues:

• Check examples/ directory for similar scenarios
• Review references/ files for calculation details

Bug Reports:

• Include: inputs used, expected output, actual output
• Specify which validation check failed

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Quick Reference Card

Input Checklist

• Runway elevation (ft MSL)
• Temperature (°C)
• Altimeter (inHg)
• Wind direction (° magnetic)
• Wind speed (kt)
• Runway heading (° magnetic)
• Runway length (ft)

Output Includes

• Pressure/density altitude
• Wind components
• Performance distances
• Runway margin assessment
• Passenger brief script
• GO/NO-GO decision
• Safety notes and warnings

Typical Usage Time

• Input gathering: 10-15 seconds (read ATIS, check chart)
• Brief generation: 20-30 seconds
• Total: <1 minute

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Ready to use! Invoke the skill with your runway and weather data.