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I don't get the point of building a stopway. If you have the space to build a stopway, you could just extend the length of the runway.

Why are stopways necessary?

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    $\begingroup$ I sometimes wish we lived on a flat earth where the landscape extends to infinity and real estate would be cheaper. $\endgroup$
    – user3528438
    Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 14:59
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    $\begingroup$ The question is answered in detail here $\endgroup$
    – TomMcW
    Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 15:52
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    $\begingroup$ @user3528438 Flat Earth is not required to build very long, straight roads. Proof: most highways in non-mountainous parts of the American West. Of course, the road will still follow the curvature of the Earth rather than being literally straight in all three dimensions, but that's not problematic (roads do this anyway, it just isn't very noticeable because the curvature itself isn't very noticeable from the surface.) $\endgroup$
    – reirab
    Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 19:59

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Overrun areas are almost always filled with some form of loose material... sand, for example... that will slow a plane down with extra drag on the landing gear. The idea is that if a plane has reached the end of the runway, it's already in trouble and is probably having problems braking.

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  • $\begingroup$ Ah that already makes more sense. My textbook isn't very clear. $\endgroup$
    – user6245072
    Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 15:23
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Regardless of how long a runway is built, a stopway is needed for other purposes. Stopways (also known as blast pads or overrun areas) is often not as strong as runways, so that airplane's tires have more friction and can slow down faster than runways. Also, the length of a runway does not include the length of stopway.

Why runways are not built longer? It is because real estate is real estate. It is expensive and is always on short supply. Also, if you find area around a runway which is not used, there could be rules for that region for open space.

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    $\begingroup$ Also, even if you have plenty of real estate, runway construction is decidedly not free. $\endgroup$
    – reirab
    Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 20:01
  • $\begingroup$ Stopways are different from blast pads, as blast pads are not intended to support the weight of an aircraft. See page 3-22 of faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/… $\endgroup$
    – Max Barraclough
    Commented Apr 15, 2023 at 15:03

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