---
title: "CAT.POL.A.205 Take-off — Part-CAT · Avioverse"
description: "The take-off mass shall not exceed the maximum take-off mass specified in the AFM for the pressure altitude and the ambient temperature at the aerodrome…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-cat/subpart-c/cat-pol-a-205"
---

# CAT.POL.A.205 Take-off

ANNEX IV (Part-CAT) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

IR Implementing rule

## CAT.POL.A.205 Take-off

(a) The [take-off mass](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/take-off-mass) shall not exceed the maximum take-off mass specified in the AFM for the pressure altitude and the ambient temperature at the aerodrome of departure.

(b) The following requirements shall be met when determining the maximum permitted take-off mass:

(1) the accelerate-stop distance shall not exceed the [accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accelerate-stop-distance-available);

(2) the take-off distance shall not exceed the take-off distance available, with a [clearway](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/clearway) distance not exceeding half of the [take-off run available (TORA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/take-off-run-available);

(3) the take-off run shall not exceed the TORA;

(4) a single value of [V1](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/v1) shall be used for the rejected and continued take-off; and

(5) on a wet or [contaminated runway](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/contaminated-runway), the take-off mass shall not exceed that permitted for a take-off on a [dry runway](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/dry-runway) under the same conditions.

(c) When showing compliance with (b), the following shall be taken into account:

(1) the pressure altitude at the aerodrome;

(2) the ambient temperature at the aerodrome;

(3) the runway surface condition and the type of runway surface;

(4) the runway slope in the direction of take-off;

(5) not more than 50 % of the reported headwind component or not less than 150 % of the reported tailwind component; and

(6) the loss, if any, of runway length due to alignment of the [aeroplane](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aeroplane) prior to take-off.

IR · CAT.POL.A.205 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

AMC Acceptable means of compliance

## AMC1 CAT.POL.A.205 Take-off

LOSS OF RUNWAY LENGTH DUE TO ALIGNMENT

(a) The length of the runway that is declared for the calculation of [take-off distance available (TODA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/take-off-distance-available), [accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accelerate-stop-distance-available) and [take-off run available (TORA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/take-off-run-available) does not account for line-up of the [aeroplane](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aeroplane) in the direction of take-off on the runway in use. This alignment distance depends on the aeroplane geometry and access possibility to the runway in use. Accountability is usually required for a 90°-taxiway entry to the runway and 180°-turnaround on the runway. There are two distances to be considered:

(1) the minimum distance of the main wheels from the start of the runway for determining TODA and TORA,’L’; and

(2) the minimum distance of the most forward wheel(s) from the start of the runway for determining ASDA,’N’.

Figure 1

Line-up of the aeroplane in the direction of take-off — L and N

\[Figure or form omitted from this preview — available in the Avioverse workspace library.]

Where the aeroplane manufacturer does not provide the appropriate data, the calculation method given in (b) should be used to determine the alignment distance.

(b) Alignment distance calculation

\[Figure or form omitted from this preview — available in the Avioverse workspace library.]

The distances mentioned in (a)(1) and (a)(2) are:

|    | 90° entry   | 180° turnaround |
| -- | ----------- | --------------- |
| L= | RM + X      | RN + Y          |
| N= | RM + X + WB | RN + Y + WB     |

where:

RN = A + WN = WB/cos(90°-α) + WN

RM = B + WM = WB tan(90°-α) + WM

X = safety distance of outer main wheel during turn to the edge of the runway

Y = safety distance of outer nose wheel during turn to the edge of the runway

Note: Minimum edge safety distances for X and Y are specified in FAA AC 150/5300-13 and ICAO Annex 14, 3.8.3 RN = radius of turn of outer nose wheel

RM = radius of turn of outer main wheel

WN = distance from aeroplane centre-line to outer nose wheel

WM = distance from aeroplane centre-line to outer main wheel

WB = wheel base α = steering angle.

AMC · AMC1 CAT.POL.A.205 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2014/015/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GM Guidance material

## GM1 CAT.POL.A.205 Take-off

RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION

(a) Operation on runways contaminated with water, slush, snow or ice implies uncertainties with regard to runway friction and contaminant drag and, therefore, to the achievable performance and control of the [aeroplane](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aeroplane) during take-off, since the actual conditions may not completely match the assumptions on which the performance information is based. In the case of a [contaminated runway](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/contaminated-runway), the first option for the commander is to wait until the runway is cleared. If this is impracticable, he/she may consider a take-off, provided that he/she has applied the applicable performance adjustments, and any further safety measures he/she considers justified under the prevailing conditions.

(b) An adequate overall level of safety will only be maintained if operations in accordance with AMC 25.1591 or equivalent are limited to rare occasions. Where the frequency of such operations on contaminated runways is not limited to rare occasions, the operator should provide additional measures ensuring an equivalent level of safety. Such measures could include special crew training, additional distance factoring and more restrictive wind limitations.

GM · GM1 CAT.POL.A.205 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2014/015/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

[All rules in SUBPART C: AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE AND OPERATING LIMITATIONS](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-cat/subpart-c)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.