Thread: Narrow Runways
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Old May 11th 05, 03:27 PM
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Kyle,

The paved runway at Dodge Field, (now closed) north of Des Moines,
Iowa, was 14 x 2,500 feet. The airport was quite busy, with the
state's largest Cessna dealer being based there for some years. A 400
series Cessna would straddle the runway, with the nosewheel on
centerline, the mains would be in the grass on either side. There was
a wide grass area to the west of the runway that people often used, but
it was slightly lower and not usable in winter or when things were
soggy. The airport was built in World War I (that's I, not II) to
support the adjacent large military post, Camp Dodge. It was
originally a square mile; eventually four grass runways were laid out.
It went into civilian hands at some point and much of the land was sold
off, leaving the one, north-south runway. The Army wanted it paved and
cut a deal to split the cost with the FBO. The Army came in and laid a
14 x 2,500 foot strip of asphalt. The FBO reneged on the deal. He
simply painted a dashed line down the centerline. The airport closed
in the late '70s or early '80s and is now a part of Pioneer Hybrid's
large agricultural holdings. Some of the hangars are still standing.
I think the runway is now a driveway into the complex.

I soloed a number of students on that runway. They started out getting
used to a very narrow runway and to them it was normal. I was very
cautious about letting them out in crosswinds.

If you ever have the chance to fly in the country of Belize, you'll
find a number of extremely narrow runways, some barely wider than your
landing gear, including some that are too narrow to turn around on,
even by locking one main wheel and pivoting, you have to taxi clear to
the end to turn around. At Placencia, the runway is about two feet
wider than the gear of the Cessna 208s that serve it. For half the
runway length there is water on both sides. It does get your
attention. A number of the runways also have potholes, so you have to
select your touchdown site and rollout path pretty carefully. In
giving airport checkouts to some pilots from the U.S. in Cessna 185s,
206s and 337s, most spent a bit of time being amazed at how narrow the
runways were. It usually only took about two landings before they
adjusted and did fine.

Belize City Municipal (not International) is not as wide as the
wingspan of a Cessna 206 although you can turn around on it, but it's
only 1,700 feet long and has water on one side as well as at each end.
it is considered poor form to miss the midfield turnoff on landing as
it's a busy airport. One of the best things about the airport is that
there is a small restaurant/bar right at the departure end of runway 12
(prevailing wind runway). You can sit outside, under a thatched
umbrella, drinking cold beers and be right there as heavily loaded
Cessna 207s, 208s and Gippsland Airvans use almost every bit of the
runway getting airborne. It's a pleasant way to spend a few hours.
The Belizean pilots are very, very good.

All the best,
Rick