Runway

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a runway is a 'defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and takeoff of aircraft'. Runways may be a man-made surface (often asphalt, concrete, or a mixture of both) or a natural surface (grass, dirt, gravel, ice, or salt). Runways, as well as taxiways and ramps, are sometimes referred to as “tarmac,” though very few runways are built using tarmac.In the 1980s, Leeds Bradford International Airport extended its runway to take wide bodied planes by building an overpass over the A658 road.Road crossing of (Shetland) A970 with Sumburgh airport's runway. The movable barrier closes when aircraft land or take off. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a runway is a 'defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and takeoff of aircraft'. Runways may be a man-made surface (often asphalt, concrete, or a mixture of both) or a natural surface (grass, dirt, gravel, ice, or salt). Runways, as well as taxiways and ramps, are sometimes referred to as “tarmac,” though very few runways are built using tarmac. In 1916, in a World War I war effort context, the first concrete-paved runway was built in Clermont-Ferrand in France, allowing local company Michelin to manufacture Bréguet Aviation military aircraft. In January 1919, aviation pioneer Orville Wright underlined the need for 'distinctly marked and carefully prepared landing places, the preparing of the surface of reasonably flat ground an expensive undertaking there would also be a continuous expense for the upkeep.' Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally the magnetic azimuth of the runway's heading in decadegrees. This heading differs from true north by the local magnetic declination. A runway numbered 09 points east (90°), runway 18 is south (180°), runway 27 points west (270°) and runway 36 points to the north (360° rather than 0°). When taking off from or landing on runway 09, a plane is heading around 90° (east).