On Wed, 29 Oct 2003 16:17:58 -0500, John Penta
wrote:

On Tue, 28 Oct 2003 14:21:19 GMT, Ed Rasimus
wrote:

Well, start the folder of BOT with a statement that takeoff and
landing rolls depend on a lot of factors such as gross weight,
temperature, field elevation, wind and slope. In other words it
varies--a lot!
Typically most fighter aircraft (not STOL) will use about 1500-4000
feet of ground roll for take-off, depending upon load. Century series
aircraft consumed a bit more pavement.

Thanks for the info.

I wasn't looking for exact stuff, more what the lengths are that
planners use when planning for basing, emergency fields...things like
that.

The numbers that would (all other things being equal) allow one to
intelligently say "X can go here, here, here, and here, but not here,
here, here, and here. Meanwhile, Y can go here, here, here, and
here..."

You are making sense and considering the sort of stuff that a lot of
folks tend to overlook. There are even more issues than mentioned.
Things like load bearing capacity of the pavement. Aircraft not only
need to be supported by the runway, but also by the taxiways and
ramps. Large aircraft especially can sink through the pavement at high
gross weights. "Footprint" weight is important, considering max gross
weights as well as size and number of tires on the landing gear.

There are also some shortcuts to make runways that might not otherwise
be suitable OK. Things like jet barriers and arresting gear. A runway
too short for safe takeoff at high gross weight because it is
inadequate for a high speed abort, might become useable with a
departure end barrier installed. Or, a too short recovery field might
become an option with an approach end barrier capability deployed and
a suitably tail-hook equipped aircraft.

And, when considering suitability, don't forget compatible instrument
approaches.