Transcript ACP34 Vol 1 Airmanship 1

Fundamental Principles of
Airmanship
Learning Outcome 1
FEATURES OF AN AIRFIELD
Objectives
• Understand Airfield Layouts
• Know how runways are numbered
• Know how runways & taxiways are marked –
by day and night
• Know how approach lights guide an aircraft
into land
Types of Airfield
• Grass Airfield
• Triangular Patterned Runway
• Main Instrument Runway
Landing Direction
It is important for aircraft to land into wind (or as close as possible into wind)
to ensure the aircraft touches down and stops within the length of the runway.
If an aircraft lands with a tail wind it will be travelling faster over the ground than
its airspeed and may not be able to stop within the length of the runway.
Wind Speed
20 Knots
Airspeed
80 Knots
Ground Speed = 60 Knots
Grass Airfield
Triangular
Patterned Airfield
Types of Airfield
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of:
Grass airfields?
Advantages:
Cheap to build.
No designated runway - can take-off in any direction.
Disadvantages:
Susceptible to wet weather, aircraft can bog down.
Would not normally support large aircraft.
Triangle pattern airfields?
Advantages:
Longer runway, so heavy/large aircraft can use it.
Has three runway directions, so into wind is no problem.
Aircraft are easier to control on the ground as there are
designated taxiways.
More difficult to attack.
Disadvantages:
More costly to build.
Harder to repair if attacked.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Major Airport
Logan
International
Boston, USA.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Usually the longest runaway on the airfield with instrument and radar approaches
available.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Secondary Runway
A secondary runway will normally be shorter than the Main runway and have
limited approach aids.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Control Tower
A building centrally located on the airfield with good visibility of the whole airfield
and the airspace around the airfield.
The Control Tower houses various controllers who control all aircraft, vehicular
and pedestrian traffic.
It also houses the communications and radar equipment used by the airfield.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Aerodrome Identification Symbol
This is a 2 or 3 letter identifier for the airfield which is marked on the ground
in large letters. Each airfield has it’s own identifier.
Aerodrome Identification Beacon
This is a red signal light that flashes vertically the morse code for the aerodrome
identification symbol. Normally only used at night.
Both allow an aircraft flying overhead to identify the airfield.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Runway Threshold
The area at the beginning of a runway that the pilot of an aircraft aims at
to touch down safely.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Holding Points
A line across the taxiway, either side of the runway threshold, which aircraft
are not allowed to cross without Air Traffic Control permission.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Operational Readiness Platform
An area by the runway threshold where Quick Readiness Aircraft (QRA) can
be parked to give the shortest time available from scramble to Take-Off.
ORP’s
RAF Leuchars
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Windsock
A visual aid to pilots to allow them to see what direction the wind is coming
from and to give an idea of the strength of the wind.
When the wind has blown them horizontal, most windsocks indicate that the
wind is 25 knots or greater.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Barrier
A large wire net that can be raised to arrest the forward motion of an aircraft
that has landed with brake failure.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Arrestor Gear
This is a heavy duty wire which stretches across the runway and is supported
by rubber doughnut shaped rings which hold the wire clear of the ground.
The ends of the wire are attached to hydraulic pistons which give resistance to
movement if the wire is pulled.
Some fighter aircraft are equipped with an arrestor hook attached to the rear of the
fuselage. In the case of brake failure the hook can be lowered and will collect the
wire of the arrestor and so brake the aircraft to a halt.
Modern Main Instrument Runway
Runway
Threshold
Sterile Area
If there is an obstruction near the threshold of a runway which cannot be moved,
such as a railway line, a new threshold is designated further down the runway
which allows a new glidepath to give adequate clearance from the obstruction.
The area between the normal threshold and the displaced threshold is known
as a sterile area and is marked with large white inverted ‘V’s.
Displaced
Threshold
Glidepath To
Displaced Threshold
Sterile Area
RUNWAY
Normal
Threshold
Normal
Glidepath
Train On
Railway Line
Causing Obstruction
Sterile Area
Aircraft are vulnerable to
attack if lined up!
Aircraft Dispersal
(Battle of Britain 1940)
Hardened Aircraft Shelter (HAS) 2004
Exterior of Hardened Aircraft Shelter
Damaged HAS in Iraq 2003
Modern weapons can penetrate concrete before exploding.
QRA Take Off
Quick Reaction Aircraft scramble.
Runways numbered by Magnetic
Compass Bearing
Runway 22 heading
South West
Runway 04
(Reciprocal) heading
North East
Runways numbered by
Magnetic Compass Bearing
Runway 22 is between heading
216° and 225 °
Air Traffic Control
Runway & Taxiway Markings
• Runways marked in white
• Taxiways marked in yellow
Taxi way Markings - Yellow
Runway Threshold
Threshold
Markings
Displacement
Markings
Sterile
Area
Taxiway
Airfield Lighting
Any obstacle to flight on an airfield will be marked by a RED light.
Taxiway Lighting
Green is Taxiway centreline marking.
Blue is Taxiway edge marking, only
positioned on dangerous corners
These green lights indicate
an approaching runway exit.
Orange is runway guard lights, warning
pilots of an approaching runway
Red is the stop bar, which means an
aircraft cannot cross it
White is the runway centreline.
Airfield Approach Lights
PAPIs (Red/White)
Threshold (Green)
Low On Glidepath
On Glidepath
High On Glidepath
Approach
Lights (White)
White Runway
lights
Threshold
Green Lights
Red
Obstruction
Lights
Sterile
Area
Precision
Approach Path
Indicators (PAPIs)
Threshold Lights
High Visibility “T”
Approach Lights
Lining up on Approach
DISPLACED THRESHOLD RUNWAY 13 AT OLD HONG KONG
AIRFIELD OF KAI TAK
Landing on Runway 15 – Birmingham Airport
Landing on Runway 15 – Birmingham Airport
Why are taxiway lights and markings so
important?
Objectives
• Understand Airfield Layouts
• Know how runways are numbered
• Know how runways & taxiways are marked –
by day and night
• Know how approach lights guide an aircraft
into land
Questions?
Questions
What does “HAS” stand for?
Hardened Aircraft Shelter.
What colour are obstruction lights?
Red.
What colour are threshold lights?
Green.
How are taxiways marked in daylight?
Yellow Markings.
What colours are taxiway lights?
Yellow, Green and Blue.
What is used on an airfield to show wind
direction?
Windsock.
How are runways numbered?
By Magnetic Heading.
True or False: Pilots will usually choose to
take off with the wind behind them.
False.
What is a “Sterile Area”?
An area on the runway that aircraft
cannot land on.
How is a Sterile Area marked?
Inverted white ‘V’s.