Introduction / Context:
Airport site selection and runway orientation depend on meteorological factors that affect take-off and landing safety. The question asks which specific condition most strongly drives layout decisions, particularly runway alignment.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Runway alignment must maximize headwind components and minimize crosswind exceedances.
- Other atmospheric variables (pressure, density) influence required runway length but not plan-view orientation as decisively.
- “Reduced level” refers to a surveying elevation datum, not a meteorological condition.
Concept / Approach:
Wind roses compiled from long-term observations determine runway bearing to keep crosswind components within allowable limits for the intended aircraft code. This dominates orientation and often dictates land use around the airport.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Atmospheric pressure and air density affect aircraft performance (take-off distance) but are addressed by runway length, not primary orientation.2) Reduced level is a site elevation term, not meteorology; it influences performance via density altitude but again mainly impacts length.3) Prevailing wind direction directly sets runway alignment to reduce crosswind exceedance; therefore it most significantly governs location/orientation.
Verification / Alternative check:
Check crosswind component charts versus wind-rose statistics to confirm orientation decision logic.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
a/b: Important for length calculations, not decisive for orientation; c: not meteorological; e: grouping them equal is misleading.
Common Pitfalls:
Confusing performance (length) drivers with orientation drivers; misclassifying surveying terms as weather.
Final Answer:
Prevailing wind direction
Discussion & Comments