Tabletop Runway: Definition and Risks

There are thousands of airports and runways around the world. And as you can imagine, airports and runways need wide and open spaces due to their long and large structures. In addition, there should not be too many obstacles around the runways. Obstacle criteria have also been published in this regard by national authorities and international rule setters. As a result, many conditions are considered in order to build a runway.

Well, let’s consider the airports and runways to be built in mountainous regions or islands. There may not always be wide and spacious geographies to make the runways. Some of the runways built in such places are called tabletop runways.

“Tabletop runway” is used to describe runways that have a deep cliff at the end of one or both ends of the runway. These runways are usually built on a hill or plateau adjacent to a steep cliff.

Let’s give a few examples of tabletop runways:

• Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport – TNCS / Netherlands
• Catalina Airport – KAVX / USA
• Lampedusa Airport – LICD / Italy

The Importance of RESA at Tabletop Runways

One of the challenges associated with tabletop runways is the limited availability of Runway End Safety Areas (RESA). Due to terrain constraints, providing the recommended safety zones beyond the runway ends may be difficult, increasing the importance of precise landing and takeoff operations.

Tabletop runways contain some risks to aviation and are generally considered dangerous.

We can briefly summarize these risks as follows:

• May create an optical illusion in pilots approaching. It may appear to be level with lower terrains around it and may deceive pilots, thus requiring a very precise and careful approach.
• It is life-threatening in case of a mishap and runway excursion of an airplane taking off. The plane may fall into the abyss at the end of the runway.
• Similarly, there is a danger of drooling from the cliff if an airplane landing cannot stop on the runway and experiences a runway excursion.
• Any overshoot and undershoot situation poses serious danger for this type of runway.

Why Do Tabletop Runways Require Greater Precision?

Tabletop runways often provide less room for recovery if an aircraft lands long or overruns the runway. In addition, surrounding terrain can create visual illusions that affect a pilot’s perception during approach. For this reason, operators may apply special training, stabilized approach criteria, and stricter weather limitations when operating at tabletop airports.

Recommended: What is Runway Holding Position – RHP ?

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