Heavy aircraft on natural surfaces?
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 4:39 am
This may be a silly question but I will ask anyway...
There is a group who wish to return an ex-Air New Zealand 747-400 and position it at the town of Wanaka where it would form part of a museum and possibly an accommodation venture.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/air-n ... ZKLQ6FUDU/
I understand the aircraft could be flown to NZ and the intention is to land at Christchurch and road transport to Wanaka, a journey of about 500kms.
The runway at Wanaka is far too short at 1200m x 300m and presumably low bearing strength.
However there is considerable flat agricultural land in the area and my question is 'Just how naïve would it be to suggest a temporary, one use only, runway be prepared to accept a minimum weight 747-400?'
There is a group who wish to return an ex-Air New Zealand 747-400 and position it at the town of Wanaka where it would form part of a museum and possibly an accommodation venture.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/air-n ... ZKLQ6FUDU/
I understand the aircraft could be flown to NZ and the intention is to land at Christchurch and road transport to Wanaka, a journey of about 500kms.
The runway at Wanaka is far too short at 1200m x 300m and presumably low bearing strength.
However there is considerable flat agricultural land in the area and my question is 'Just how naïve would it be to suggest a temporary, one use only, runway be prepared to accept a minimum weight 747-400?'