الكل
← Back to Squawk list
Highways as Runways: Myth in the U.S., Reality Around the World [w/Videos]
One of the great urban legends is that one mile in every five of U.S. interstate highways is completely straight. The myth goes that under the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System, these straight stretches of road would be used as improvised airstrips in times of crisis or times of war. This is a definite myth, but it has certainly inspired air forces in other nations to employ the concept. (autos.yahoo.com) المزيد...
Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Myth or not, most aircraft are capable of landing on a highway with comfort. Smart idea if we have a engine failure or something and need to find a soft spot.
Not to add to the myth, but the road from Mountain Home, Idaho out to Mountain Home AFB always seemed wider than it needed to be for the amount of traffic on the road.
It may be a myth, but it doesn't mean we cannot use them as such.
Thirty five years ago we practiced making landings on Nevada highways.
I recall reading at the time that the Interstate highways were built using money under the National Defense Act, otherwise the appropriations could never have passed the congress. But so many things I've learned over the years have been revealed as myth. Long live old wives tales!
Whereas in Canada, the RoW is barely wide enough for two lanes of vehicular traffic never mind a stonking big widebody.. :-)