Airports in Japan (3) (Runway Gradient)

Hello, it has suddenly become warm and hot.

Korosuke is a very sweaty person, so he is good in hot weather, but a handkerchief or towel is a must. We can get over some heat with deodorant these days, so I guess the current temperature is about right.

Please take care of yourself as the season is about to change from spring to early summer.

Well, it has been a while since I last wrote about Japanese airports.

What is runway slope?

Runway slope is the difference in elevation from one end of the runway to the other divided by the length of the runway. It is usually expressed as a percentage. For example, a runway that is 10 feet higher from end to end and 10,000 feet long has a slope of 0.1%.

There are several topographical reasons why the slope of the runway is unavoidable.

• Improve drainage. Without runway slope, rain and snow can accumulate on the runway and make takeoffs and landings difficult.
• Construct the airstrip according to the terrain. If the runway is on a hill or valley, a grade can be used to ensure that the runway is level with the terrain.

Runway slope is important for safe takeoff and landing of airplanes. If the slope of the runway is too great, planes may have problems taking off or landing. If the slope of the runway is too small, drainage may be poor, but in Japan, drainage on the runway is not likely to be affected because of a special process called grooving, which is usually used.

However, the slope of the runway will undoubtedly affect the takeoff and landing of the airplane, so it is always important for the pilot to check it before takeoff and landing.

Three Japanese airports with large runway gradients

滑走路勾配といっても、一定の勾配がある滑走路というのは珍しく、大半の滑走路は勾配が途中で変化していきますので今回はその中でも平均勾配が大きい空港を紹介していきます。

１．Matsumoto airport(RJAF)

Matsumoto Airport in Nagano Prefecture was introduced as the airport with the highest airport elevation in Japan, but it is also an airport with a fairly large slope, which is quite distinctive for a pilot.

２．Fukue Airport(RJFE)

This is Fukue Airport, one of the remote island airports in Nagasaki Prefecture. It is surprising that the maximum gradient is 1.0%.

３．Asahikawa Airport(RJEC)

Asahikawa Airport is located in Hokkaido, Japan. As Asahikawa Airport has an average gradient of 0.75%, you will be surprised to see it at the end of the runway, which is quite hilly. There are also many things to watch out for when landing, such as optical illusions.

滑走路勾配のまとめ

How was it?

In fact, there are very few runways in Japan that are completely flat due to the country’s topography.

It may not seem like such a 0.7% change, but when you actually take off and land, the visibility of the runway and the deceleration and acceleration rates will change dramatically, so I recommend that you include this in your preliminary study from now on.

The article about airports with high airport elevations introduced at Matsumoto Airport can be found here.

I have posted other articles about the airport if you are interested in reading them.

Airports in Japan (Runway Length)

The website cited by Korosuke this time is here.