N288DS, a P28A, is downwind for touch-and-go on Runway 28L; when can it touch down if AAL432, an MD81, is departing?

In this scenario, the timing between the departing aircraft and the arriving aircraft becomes crucial for maintaining safety and ensuring smooth operations at the airport. When N288DS, a P28A, is downwind for a touch-and-go, it is essentially preparing to land just as AAL432, an MD81, is departing from the same runway.

The key here is the required separation between the two aircraft due to their differing categories. The MD81, being a larger jet transport, requires a longer time and distance before the runway is clear for the smaller P28A to touch down.

Allowing the P28A to touch down 3 minutes after the MD81 takes off ensures that the larger aircraft has had sufficient time to climb away from the runway, creating a safe environment for the smaller aircraft to land. This timing is in line with standard separation procedures to prevent wake turbulence and to ensure that both aircraft can operate safely without risk of collision on the runway. Hence, the option of touching down 3 minutes after the departure is not just appropriate; it follows the established guidelines for operational safety in air traffic control.