Why do runways cross

In an effort to reduce this intricate mass of information to digestible classifications, this article will examine causal factors under three main topic areas:. Airport Practices and Configurations, B. Flight Crew Errors, and C.

Controller Errors. As might be expected, the majority of events took place at major terminals with complex taxiway layouts and multi-runway operations. The Intersecting Runways classification specifies multiple, intersecting, active runways in use simultaneous landing and departure operations on crossing runways.

This category accounted for the largest number of ground conflicts. Frequently and vigorously, pilots voiced serious concern about the practice of simultaneous operations on intersecting runways. In such instances, flight crews are commonly advised -- by ATIS or by controller restriction -- to hold short of the intersecting runway upon landing. Flight crews either accepted the mandatory restriction, or were advised "if unable, expect a go around.

Two pilots, unwilling to accept the limited landing distances, were circled around for second approaches. Examination of the report set confirmed the flight crews' unease with "hold-short-of A number of aircraft committed an active-runway incursion during roll-out.

Combining distraction and communication factors with intersecting runways, pilots "forgot" the hold short restriction, "did not hear" the transmission when issued during reversing, or became confused as to "where the crossing runway actually was.

Go-arounds, high speed aborts, and critical near collisions resulted from the intersecting runway transgressions. In another incident, one flight crew landing in poor visibility caused an abort as they continued through the intersection, then caused a second abort as they taxied onto a parallel runway.

Differing from the "Intersecting" category, the Parallel Runways classification includes those incidents where an aircraft exiting a runway after landing, inadvertently penetrates or crosses an active parallel runway. At many airports parallel runways may be very close together -- with minimum distance between.

This category ranked second in the number of conflicts. Home » Intersecting runways, from necessity to a prediction challenge. Early aircraft took off from any sufficiently large field that allowed take-off into the wind. As aircraft became large and faster, runways were build in multiple directions. Nowadays, new airports only have parallel runways. We explore the development of runway configurations and their effect on operation. The first airfields where literal fields. A sufficiently large grassy area on which aircraft could always take off and land into the wind.

Between the first and second world war, aircraft grew larger and flew faster. These aircraft required longer runways. Few fields would be large enough to provide a possibility to land in any direction.

To ensure that aircraft could mostly operate into the wind, the famous triangle airports of the second world war era appeared everywhere see header photo. With even heavier aircraft, higher speeds and longer runways, most airports after the second world war developed into parallel operations.

At this point, aircraft speed, mass, navigation and control created more and more tolerance for cross-winds. Although generally speaking you will see this done in calm wind situations. The other cause I have seen for this is instrumentation, some airports may have intersecting runways that are not equipped the same or of the same length. As lets say the favorable runway is is ft visual approach only strip and you need ft to land. Luckily the airport has another intersecting runway that is a ft strip and has an ILS approach not that you need it its nice out.

They may have you come into the other runway while they sequence small visual traffic on to the short strip possibly having them land short if need be. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Why would an airport use crossing runways for takeoff and landings?

Ask Question. Asked 6 years, 1 month ago. Without an airport diagram, it is difficult to be sure that the taxiway you are about to cross is not a runway; or if it is a runway, that it is the one you are cleared to cross.

Taxi slowly and stop if you need to refer to your taxi diagram. They will be happy to help.