Catch nets at the end of runways???

[radio ears]

I have seen this post at BBC news what nets are they refering to?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/w...re/2990366.stm

[Nozzles]

Don't know about any civvy airfields having them, but many military fast-jet bases have such netting (called a Barrier) in adddition to/instead of arrestor cables.

[Big Tudor]

Unless there has been a major leap in technology, I can't see how this would happen. Arrestor barriers are installed at most RAF fast jet airfields but the biggest thing I've ever heard using them deliberately was Bucc's & Tornado's. Plenty of cases of 'accidental' use, not always by aircraft either.
It would have to be one hell of a net to stop even a medium sized aircraft like a B737 or A320. As I recall, one of the issues with the barriers was the tendency for the supporting cable to whip backwards and slice chunks out of the rear end of the aircraft. Not a problem when all human life forms are at the very front (as in a fast jet), but I can't imagine it would be very safe for those sitting in rows 3-7 of the cabin of a B737?

[747FOCAL]

Shoot, a net catching a commercial jet? They might as well be using razor wire because it would have the same effect on the PAX and crew.......death!

[PaperTiger]

Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) has been installed at a few airports. Essentially the same concept as highway escape lanes - 'soft ground' to non-destructively stop a runaway. There are still some bugs to work out but it did stop a Saab 340 from ending up in Flushing Bay on one occasion.

Some details here.