The tests, it seems, were done on a GM test track with a two-mile
diameter. As the article pointed out, the size of the runway plus the
mind-boggling expense of tunnels to a terminal inside the circle made
the whole thing a non-starter.

On 3 Apr 2004 11:33:43 -0800, (Rick Durden)
wrote:

Funny how aviation ideas just keep recycling. The circular runway was
reported on in an article in Popular Science in the early 1960s as the
airport of the future, banked turn and all.

Never amounted to much. Thank goodness, if you have ever taken off or
landed on a runway with a curve in it, the idea of using one regularly
is not terribly attractive...plus, given the difference in aircraft
speeds the banking cannot eliminate sideloads on the landing gear
which could make for some interesting gear collapses.

All the best,
Rick

jsmith wrote in message ...
Good article in the recent issue of AIR & SPACE.
A USN pilot got the idea for a circular runway after experiencing an
engine failure and landing on a country road.
He proposed the Navy test the idea. He was killed in an accident, but
someone carried the ball got the testing approved.
The tests were satisfactorily completed with Navy jet fighters at
Goodyear's test track.
A 10,000 foot banked oval works at low and high speeds.
Taladega?
Daytona?
(What are the other Super Speedways?)

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

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