Re: On a Wing and a Catapult

From: Ian Stirling (root_at_mauve.demon.co.uk)
Date: 08/30/04 

Date: 30 Aug 2004 19:07:44 GMT

"Greg D. Moore \(Strider\)" <mooregr_deleteth1s@greenms.com> wrote:
>
> "MSu1049321" <msu1049321@aol.comnospamn> wrote in message
> news:20040829150440.04469.00001744@mb-m27.aol.com...
>> BTW, I read somewhere that B-52's are so heavy that they can't operate on
> many
>> runways and taxiways of current non-military airports unless mostly
> de-fueld
>> first, else they'd crack the concrete.
>
> Well, http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=83 lists the max
> takeoff weight as 488,000 lbs and
> http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747family/pf/pf_400er_back.html lists the
> 747-400ER takeoff weight as 910,000lbs.
>
> So I don't think that's true.
>

Weight isn't the whole story, an important factor is ground pressure.
Any runway can take a million pounds spread over the whole surface.
No runway can take it in one square inch.