Basic Principles of AirmanshipAirfields

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• Triangle Pattern• Main Instrument Runway

Wind Speed 20 Knots

Airspeed 80 Knots

Ground Speed = 60 Knots

Grass Airfield

Triangle Pattern Airfield

Types of Airfield

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of:

• Grass airfields?• Triangle pattern airfields?

Modern Main Instrument Runway

Major Airport

Modern Main Instrument Runway

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

QRA Take Off

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 heading 220°

Air Traffic Control

Windsock – Wind Direction & Strength