Airport History

The world’s first airport was built in 1928 at Croydon near London (England). It was the main airport for London till it was closed down in 1959, after the World War II. It is now open as a visitor centre for aviation.

Introduction

Runway rectangular-shaped, paved surface on an airport, designed for the landing or takeoff of airplanes. Runways may be a man-made surface (often asphalt concrete, or a mixture of both) or a natural surface (grass, dirt, gravel, ice, or salt).

Runway Designations Based on a runway’s magnetic heading, using the 360 degree compass system Runways may be used in two opposite direction All runways have TWO runway designation.

Runways

A runway is the area where an aircraft lands or takes off. It can be grass, or packed dirt, or a hrd surface such as asphalt or concrete. Runways have special markings on them to help a pilot in the air to tell that it is a runway (and not a road) and to help them when they are landing or taking off. Runway marking are white.

Most runways have numbers on the end. The number is the runway’s compass direction. (For example, runway numbered 36 would be pointing north or 360 degrees). Some airports have more than one runway going in the same direction, so thay add letters to the end of the number R for right, C for center and L for left.

Airport Configuration

Airport configuration is defined as the number and orientation of runways and the location of the terminal area relative to the runways.

• Number of runways depends on air traffic volume.
• Orientation of runways depends on the direction of wind, size and shape of the area and land use and airspace use restriction in the vincity of airport.
• The terminal building should be located so as to provide easy and timely access to runways.

Take-off and landing distances: A number of factors such as altitude of the airport, gradient of runway, direction and intensity of wind, temperature and the manner of landing and take-off which influence the take-off and landing distances.

Tyre pressure and contact area: It governs the thickness of the pavement.

Range: The frequency of operations and hence the peak traffic volume and the runway capacity depend upon the normal haul length or the range.

Runway Orientation & Design

• “Rectangular area on an aerodrome used for landing and takeoff.”
• Runway orientation is important in airport planning.
• Current practice is to layout a runway in the direction of prevailing wind.

Important Components of an Airport Layout

• Runway
• Terminal building
• Apron
• Taxiway
• Aircraft Stand
• Hanger
• Control Tower
• Parking

Factors affecting selection of site for Airport

• Availability of adequate area
• Accessibility
• Topography, soil condition and drainage
• Availability of construction materials
• Cost of development
• Cost of maintenance
• Traffic volume and type of traffic
• Cross-wind component
• Proximity of airways
• Safety factors
• Revenues

What makes a good Airport

• Balances needs of airlines, airport owners and passengers alike.
• Passengers journey is quick, easy and stress free.
• Airport operation is safe, secure and efficient.
• Baggage operation is fast and reliable.
• Environmental performance includes efficiency of surface access and optimizes public transport potential.
• Food & Beverage and retail offerings enhance both passenger experience and airport commercial performance.
• Facilities are contemporary, providing a sense of place and provide spaces for different groups of travellers.
• Flexibility to adapt to future needs.
• Technology enabled.