48
votes
Accepted
Why would a pilot request that ATC dim the runway lights?
That is quite a normal request.
Runway lights can be extremely bright because they need to be visible through fog during daylight to provide lateral guidance during take-off and roll-out. See this ...
- 82.9k
13
votes
Why wouldn't a plane start its take-off run from the very beginning of the runway to keep the option to utilize the full runway if necessary?
Short answer:
Operational efficiency - significantly, you have saved time, and you might also save fuel from an unnecessary longer taxi.
Long Answer:
1. Operational Efficiency:
As discussed above, ...
- 1,812
7
votes
Why wouldn't a plane start its take-off run from the very beginning of the runway to keep the option to utilize the full runway if necessary?
As an example:
I did my flight training at Boeing Field (KBFI), which has two runways: a GA runway that is 3,700 feet long, and a commercial runway over 10,000 feet.
My flight school was near the ...
- 30.4k
5
votes
Why wouldn't a plane start its take-off run from the very beginning of the runway to keep the option to utilize the full runway if necessary?
There's nothing more useless than fuel you left on the ground, or runway behind you.
We're generally taught to use all the runway, as you point out; why wouldn't you? What if you need it. However for ...
- 31.8k
4
votes
Accepted
Should you line-up the runway 90 degrees or follow the yellow marking?
Here's a commercial aviation response, but almost certainly applicable to general aviation, too.
Take-off distances are commonly measured from the threshold or, for intersections, the downwind edge of ...
- 4,777
4
votes
When does taxiing become taking off?
From my comments above, I suppose the real difference is intent. If you’re moving forward at high speed with the intention of reaching decision/rotation speeds, thence raise the nose and lift off the ...
- 72.8k
4
votes
What determines the name of the runway if it is not active (for atc instructions)
It's pretty much dealer's choice (or controller's choice) how to refer to an inactive runway. They might choose to refer to the runway according to the most commonly used direction or calm-wind-use ...
- 13.5k
4
votes
What is the benefit of a large number of runways?
Amount of traffic. Busy eventually equals more runways.
Like your local interstate highways. Some places, 2 lanes. Some places, 8 lanes.
"International" doesn't mean much as far as amount of ...
- 7,568
4
votes
Accepted
Where to find generic weight take off charts for planes?
Such a thing does not exist. There is nothing like a "generic" aircraft, the sheer number of variables and breadth of their values makes any attempt to produce such a thing highly ...
- 2,574
2
votes
When and why was AGGH's runway 06/24 shortened?
A little bit of sleuthing based on comments and the aerial photograph reveals one or two roadways that may have existed near Honiera International Airport before the runway was lengthened more to the ...
2
votes
What's the benefit of grass versus hardened runways?
Depending on the location, grass runways count as "green space" for the purposes of carbon credits. So do the Runway End Safety Areas.
Airports/clubs have a significant carbon cost, so ...
- 1,097
2
votes
Runway distance remaining signs outside of USA and/or in meters?
There is no ICAO standard for runway distance remaining. Some nations have their own standards: for instance, Germany has a sign reading "½" in black on a yellow background at the halfway ...
- 12k
2
votes
Can ski-equipped aircraft land on a conventional runway?
Yes a Twin Otter on straight skis can land on a bare paved runway... once.
It will then need to be jacked up and the skis replaced with wheels, or at least some kind of trolly gear installed under the ...
- 126k
2
votes
What is the benefit of a large number of runways?
In the U.S., and as noted in another answer, "international" in the name doesn't (shouldn't?) have anything to do with the size or the amount of traffic. Rather it is used to designate that ...
- 39.2k
2
votes
When does taxiing become taking off?
While it isn't directly applicable, the US Navy broadly categorizes mishaps into "flight" and "ground". A flight mishap may occur even if an aircraft never actually leaves the ...
- 24.9k
2
votes
How can a surface created with asphalt be considered "Rigid" and not "Flexible"? Isn't concrete that is rigid and asphalt that is flexible?
I would change that definition as "Asphalt is usually a flexible surface, Concrete is usually a rigid surface".
I do not have specific knowledge of that airport, but it may be that the ...
- 1,944
2
votes
What determines the name of the runway if it is not active (for atc instructions)
I would think it would depend on the specific layout of runways at that airfield, where the wind is coming from in general, and which end of the runway you are closest to at the point of crossing.
...
- 24.9k
1
vote
How can a surface created with asphalt be considered "Rigid" and not "Flexible"? Isn't concrete that is rigid and asphalt that is flexible?
It is possible that either the surface type or PCN classification for this particular apron is either incorrect or out of date. While this is not the usual thing that you would first suspect when ...
- 795
1
vote
Accepted
How common is the use of "quick-set asphalt" on runways such that flights may begin just a few hours after paving?
Apparently this isn't just common, but appears on its way to becoming a standard practice. London's Gatwick Airport (LGW) recently redid its main runway (they have a shorter and narrower standby ...
- 5,983
1
vote
What is the benefit of a large number of runways?
As everyone else has mentioned, amount of traffic is paramount. Airports commonly operate with several parallel runways active -- with departures and arrivals sometimes separated, but often ...
- 7,319
1
vote
What is the benefit of a large number of runways?
I will try answer point by point:
What is the criteria for the number of runways?
Amount of traffic is the criteria. The more traffic you have the more runway you need.
Many international airports ...
- 8,070
1
vote
Why is there such a long displaced threshold on 22R at JFK/KJFK?
A runway threshold closer to Rockaway Blvd. would also mean that planes would be flying much lower over the residential communities to the north. The planes are already very low over those communities....
- 11
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible