Most runways have a couple of numbers painted in white at either end showing the magnetic heading of that particular direction (apparently its an aid to ensure pilots dont land in the wrong direction).
Fair enough, I understand that.
But can any one explain why the Amercian aircraft carriers have the same system ?. must be a bit of a b*gg*r if every time you want to launch or recover the boss’s Tomcat, you’ve got to turn it so that the compass on the bridge agrees with the numbers at the front of your floating block of flats.
Only joking !
Cheers
Gary
By: geedee - 24th December 2002 at 10:44
RE: Runway numbering
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-12-02 AT 10:46 AM (GMT)]You’re right Steve
It’s cos they’ve got soo many and they all look the same, they decided to put big numbers on the front so the pilots would hopefully return to the correct ship !
They do the same sort of thing all thier school bus’s, police cars etc etc only thing is you need a helicopter to read them !
cheers
Gary
Ps Although I’ve always found the idea of any sane person attempting a carrier landing to be rather worrying. Personally, when I land I prefer it if my runway ISN’T trying to run away from me…
Too right mate. It’d make more sense if the pilot flew straight and level and they drove the ship underneath him !!
By: Arabella-Cox - 24th December 2002 at 10:40
RE: Runway numbering
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-12-02 AT 10:42 AM (GMT)]I’m guessing on this, but I think the numbers at the threshold end of a carrier deck are that particular ship’s identification number.
Although I’ve always found the idea of any sane person attempting a carrier landing to be rather worrying. Personally, when I land I prefer it if my runway ISN’T trying to run away from me…
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December 24, 2002 at 5:09 am