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Can these planes still land in somewhat icy and snowy weather? The article mentioned drag chutes and arrestor hooks, but I’d imagine a foot of snow being a prob
by yawnxyz 3y ago
Can these planes still land in somewhat icy and snowy weather? The article mentioned drag chutes and arrestor hooks, but I’d imagine a foot of snow being a problem…
- verdverm 3y agoCan any plane land in a foot of snow? i.e. Why would there be an expectation that a military plane would be significantly different in this hypothetical?
- dekhn 3y agoYou mean, like the planes the military uses to deliver cargo and people to the South Pole? They use skis, they land "on" the snow, not in it, and it doesn't work in bad storms.
- verdverm 3y agoI was more thinking of general passenger planes, which do not typically land in much if any snow on the ground yes there are exceptions, but GP seems to be thinking more generally to planes with wheels
- dekhn 3y agoIt looks like the practical limits to wheeled airplane is a few inches of snow, not a foot.
- t0mas88 3y agoCivilian planes don't normally land with snow or ice on the runway, because directional control becomes very risky at low speeds. At landing speed you initially have control via the rudder, but once you're down tot taxi speed you can only steer the small rubber nose wheel which doesn't do much if it has no grip. Airports are continuously cleared / de-iced in adverse weather conditions. And if things become too bad, flights are cancelled.
- dharmab 3y agoIt's a good thing militaries have bulldozers, then!
- doikor 3y agoIce is fine. These and other planes routinely land on icy runways in Finland and all over the world. You do need to take that into account for the length of the runway needed. For snow you just use a snowplow. The same thing you used to keep the snow off the road you just converted into a runway for planes.