Identify the incorrect statement about airfield pavement usage and safety provisions related to aircraft operations:
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AChannelization of pavement is caused by repeated use patterns associated with tricycle-gear aircraft
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BBlast pads are provided on cohesionless soils to resist erosion due to high-velocity jet blast
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COver-run areas of at least 300 m length are provided on either side of the runway
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DNone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: Over-run areas of at least 300 m length are provided on either side of the runway
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Airfield safety design includes features such as blast pads, stopways/overruns, and pavement detailing to withstand repeated wheel paths. This question asks you to spot the statement that does not align with standard practice/typical specifications.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Pavement “channelization” refers to rutting/wear along common wheel paths.
- Jet blast can erode loose, cohesionless surfaces at high exhaust velocities.
- Overrun/stopway provisions are finite and vary with aerodrome category and operations.
Concept / Approach:Statements (A) and (B) are broadly consistent with field practice: wheel paths from tricycle-gear aircraft concentrate loads and cause channelization; blast pads (heavily protected surfaces) are indeed used to mitigate erosion. Statement (C), however, claims a fixed “at least 300 m” overrun on either side for all runways, which is not a universal standard. Stopway/RESA dimensions depend on declared distances, category, and local constraints, often far less than 300 m and certainly not a blanket requirement for both ends in every case.
Step-by-Step Solution:Evaluate each statement against typical standards.Recognize that (C) overgeneralizes overrun length requirements.Conclude (C) is the incorrect statement.
Verification / Alternative check:Regulatory materials specify flexible ranges/criteria for stopways and RESAs, not a fixed universal 300 m each end.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- (A): Repetitive wheel tracking from tricycle gear configurations can produce channelized wear—accurate in principle.
- (B): Blast pads on cohesionless soils are standard mitigation devices near thresholds.
- (D): “None of these” is incorrect because (C) is indeed wrong.
Common Pitfalls:Assuming one-size-fits-all lengths for overruns; ignoring that declared distances are tailored to the aerodrome and aircraft mix.
Final Answer:Over-run areas of at least 300 m length are provided on either side of the runway