Circular Runways?
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Will circular runways ever take off?
Think again: Will circular runways ever take off? - BBC News
But I thought they already had then at < insert that airport that annoys you>
But I thought they already had then at < insert that airport that annoys you>
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The idea has some merit, but the greatest single disadvantage of his design is that no expansion of airport buildings or airport size is possible (they could go up, I guess, but there are limitations there, too); and the need to install subways for vehicular access to the airport infrastructure is also a costly and limiting factor.
You would need subways large enough to take the biggest construction equipment in and out, as repair and maintenance, and any building expansion would need items such as large cranes, earthmovers, etc., to be able to access the airport infrastructure.
In essence, the banked runway is a block to movement. You could build roads over the embankment, but then you have the additional hassle of juggling substantial numbers of vehicle movements across a very active runway.
I do not see the advantages of his radical design outweighing the disadvantages.
You would need subways large enough to take the biggest construction equipment in and out, as repair and maintenance, and any building expansion would need items such as large cranes, earthmovers, etc., to be able to access the airport infrastructure.
In essence, the banked runway is a block to movement. You could build roads over the embankment, but then you have the additional hassle of juggling substantial numbers of vehicle movements across a very active runway.
I do not see the advantages of his radical design outweighing the disadvantages.
Another idea would be to use say, 3 runways offset by 60 degrees, ensuring that at worst, the crosswind would be at worst 30 degrees off the nose ... I doubt it has been tried though 
For modern large passenger planes, and with runways aligned with the prevailing wind, and with competent crews, crosswind components are usually within limits. There are of course notable exceptions, and some airports could definitely use some runway options, but for busy international airports, with significant pressure on groundspace availability, the minor inconvenience of a little crosswind does not justify the operational problems of a circular runway ... I'd love to see how he plans to get 3 of those into use at LHR for example ...
For modern large passenger planes, and with runways aligned with the prevailing wind, and with competent crews, crosswind components are usually within limits. There are of course notable exceptions, and some airports could definitely use some runway options, but for busy international airports, with significant pressure on groundspace availability, the minor inconvenience of a little crosswind does not justify the operational problems of a circular runway ... I'd love to see how he plans to get 3 of those into use at LHR for example ...
Ever seen the damage a banked circuit does to the tyres (tires) of a high performance car? Now put a 300+ ton/tonne aircarft on those tyres.
Imagine the torsion stress on the gear. Imagine the potential winshear once you cleared the lip of the bowl. Engine stalls due lack of airflow in sheltered parts of the bowl....what clown proposed this?
Imagine the torsion stress on the gear. Imagine the potential winshear once you cleared the lip of the bowl. Engine stalls due lack of airflow in sheltered parts of the bowl....what clown proposed this?
Last edited by Una Due Tfc; 16th Mar 2017 at 02:51.
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Funny, but thirty odd years ago as we flew over southern Italy there was a large circular race/ test track. I called up one of the Hosties to show her saying it was a new Italian runway design ...... poor girl believed me! 
Another idea would be to use say, 3 runways offset by 60 degrees, ensuring that at worst, the crosswind would be at worst 30 degrees off the nose ... I doubt it has been tried though
Even as late as the fifties and sixties the format was in use. RCAF 2FTS Moose Jaw where a lot of the sixties training was done was a triangle.
The format became a couple of parallel runways rather than the triangle, probably as it could accommodate more traffic.
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Another idea would be to use say, 3 runways offset by 60 degrees, ensuring that at worst, the crosswind would be at worst 30 degrees off the nose ... I doubt it has been tried though
BTW, just as a thought on the circular concept, the max bank angle, and turns below 400 would make some interesting designs and issues. With max bank angle, you would probably look at close to a 4nm radius, and then many aircraft would have issues with any turn below 400 feet.
Most aircraft would be close to 100 to 140 kts at the threshold, given the weight, and coeff of friction on the tires, it would be like Daytona with a 40 degree bank for a 4nm radius, make it about 30nm radius.
Imagine DEP?!?!?!
Last edited by underfire; 16th Mar 2017 at 05:39.
The format became a couple of parallel runways rather than the triangle
Only one of those six runways is now maintained, but the others are still usable, with care.
No, I could never forget LHR. Putting the terminal buildings in the centre. What a clever idea. What could possibly go wrong with that?
I suspect we will need full computer flown aircraft in use before this idea becomes viable.
Options for expansion would be another 'strip' as a second ring runway around the first circular runway.
Issues: Turbulance... in any sort of steady wind there'd likely be a beautiful roller come off the high side embankment, and where exactly is the wake turbulence going?
.
Options for expansion would be another 'strip' as a second ring runway around the first circular runway.
Issues: Turbulance... in any sort of steady wind there'd likely be a beautiful roller come off the high side embankment, and where exactly is the wake turbulence going?
.