clearway

A defined rectangular area on the ground or in the water at the end of a runway in the direction of takeoff and under the control of the competent authority. It has been selected or prepared as a suitable area over which an aircraft may make a portion of its initial climb to a specified height. In this area, terrain or fixed obstacles may not extend above specified limits. Clearway is the difference between takeoff distance available (TODA) and takeoff run available (TORA). Clearways originate from the end of the takeoff run available. Their length is equal to or less than the length of the takeoff run available. Their width extends to at least 250 ft (75 m) of the extended centerline of the runway. Specifically, clearway means:

i. For turbine engine–powered airplanes certificated after August 29, 1959, an area beyond the runway, not less than 500-ft wide, centrally located about the extended centerline of the runway, and under the control of the airport authorities. The clearway is expressed in terms of a clearway plane, extending from the end of the runway with an upward slope not exceeding 1.25%, above which no object nor any terrain protrudes. However, threshold lights may protrude above the plane if their height above the end of the runway is 26 in or less and if they are located to each side of the runway.

ii. For turbine engine–powered airplanes certificated after September 30, 1958, but before August 30, 1959, an area beyond the takeoff runway extending no less than 300 ft on either side of the extended centerline of the runway, at an elevation no higher than the elevation of the end of the runway, clear of all fixed obstacles, and under the control of the airport authorities.

iii. In the case of helicopters, the overall length or width of a helicopter, whichever is greater, does not exceed 2/3 of the width of the helicopter clearway, in the case of a land heliport, and half the width of the helicopter clearway, in case of a water heliport.