What should you compare to determine if a runway can withstand an aircraft's weight?

• A. Compare PCN to ACN
• B. Check runway length
• C. Assess weather conditions
• D. Review NOTAMs

Answer: (A)

The key idea is assessing whether the pavement can safely carry the aircraft’s weight by comparing two standardized numbers. The Pavement Classification Number (PCN) describes the load-cun the pavement can safely carry under standard subgrade and conditions. The Aircraft Classification Number (ACN) represents the weight impact the aircraft would have on that pavement with its tire setup and configuration. When ACN is equal to or less than PCN, the runway is structurally adequate for that aircraft under the given conditions. If ACN exceeds PCN, the pavement could be overloaded, risking damage or requiring restrictions or reinforcement. Other factors like runway length, weather, or NOTAMs affect operational feasibility but do not determine the pavement’s weight-bearing capability in the same way.