Landing on a road...
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 222
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From: en route
If you go to Cyprus, try driving along the motorways from Limassol to Nicosia and Larnaca. First time I did this was in 1990 with a Cypriot friend going to Nicosia; he kept asking 'could you land an F16 just here?'
Then I saw what he meant. Suddenly, the two carriageways 'lost' the shallow trench between them and the central crash barrier was replaced by one which slotted into the road surface. This lasted for about 2km (twice) and at each end there were concrete hardstandings and white rectangular markings on the 'road' surface, plus the road signs were on huge hinges so they could be lowered.
There is another section like this just east of where the Nicosia and Larnaca motorways diverge on the Larnaca section (c1992).
Then I saw what he meant. Suddenly, the two carriageways 'lost' the shallow trench between them and the central crash barrier was replaced by one which slotted into the road surface. This lasted for about 2km (twice) and at each end there were concrete hardstandings and white rectangular markings on the 'road' surface, plus the road signs were on huge hinges so they could be lowered.
There is another section like this just east of where the Nicosia and Larnaca motorways diverge on the Larnaca section (c1992).
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 140
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From: EGTR
If you go to Cyprus, try driving along the motorways from Limassol to Nicosia and Larnaca. First time I did this was in 1990 with a Cypriot friend going to Nicosia; he kept asking 'could you land an F16 just here?'
Then I saw what he meant. Suddenly, the two carriageways 'lost' the shallow trench between them and the central crash barrier was replaced by one which slotted into the road surface. This lasted for about 2km (twice) and at each end there were concrete hardstandings and white rectangular markings on the 'road' surface, plus the road signs were on huge hinges so they could be lowered.
There is another section like this just east of where the Nicosia and Larnaca motorways diverge on the Larnaca section (c1992).
Then I saw what he meant. Suddenly, the two carriageways 'lost' the shallow trench between them and the central crash barrier was replaced by one which slotted into the road surface. This lasted for about 2km (twice) and at each end there were concrete hardstandings and white rectangular markings on the 'road' surface, plus the road signs were on huge hinges so they could be lowered.
There is another section like this just east of where the Nicosia and Larnaca motorways diverge on the Larnaca section (c1992).
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
I landed on roads a few times (all within the law, btw).
I once landed a helicopter on a remote road at first light and the one thing I was concerned about almost happened - we almost got an HGV in the tail rotor.
I once landed a helicopter on a remote road at first light and the one thing I was concerned about almost happened - we almost got an HGV in the tail rotor.
Last edited by ShyTorque; 23rd December 2017 at 22:25.
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 114
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From: Sheffield
At the height of the cold war in the 60's and 70's, when the M62 from Liverpool to Manchester was built, a long stretch of Motorway through the old USAF Burtonwood airbase was supposedly built straight in case the base needed to be re-activated in a hurry. Probably an urban legend, but who knows ?
There are several examples of military aircraft landing on roads/ motorways. here is a video of a Jaguar landing on the M55 before it opened to the public.
There are several examples of military aircraft landing on roads/ motorways. here is a video of a Jaguar landing on the M55 before it opened to the public.
