The addition of extra shots or weights to the E-5 barrier is contingent on what?

The addition of extra shots or weights to the E-5 barrier is contingent on what?

• A. Aircraft weight over 20,000 pounds
• B. Wind speed over 30 mph
• C. Time of day
• D. Operator preference

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is that barrier performance is tied to the load it must withstand. When an aircraft approaches the barrier, it must be able to absorb the kinetic energy of that aircraft without moving or failing. Adding extra shots or weights increases the barrier’s resistance and energy-absorption capacity, so it’s only done when the flight weight exceeds a set threshold. That threshold is 20,000 pounds, so if the aircraft weighs more than that, extra mass is added to keep the barrier able to perform safely. Wind speed, time of day, or operator preference don’t change the physical load the barrier must handle, so they aren’t used to decide whether to add weight.

The key idea here is that barrier performance is tied to the load it must withstand. When an aircraft approaches the barrier, it must be able to absorb the kinetic energy of that aircraft without moving or failing. Adding extra shots or weights increases the barrier’s resistance and energy-absorption capacity, so it’s only done when the flight weight exceeds a set threshold.

That threshold is 20,000 pounds, so if the aircraft weighs more than that, extra mass is added to keep the barrier able to perform safely. Wind speed, time of day, or operator preference don’t change the physical load the barrier must handle, so they aren’t used to decide whether to add weight.