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Components of An Airport

The key components of an airport include runways, taxiways, aprons, terminal buildings, control towers, hangars, and parking areas. Runways are paved strips where aircrafts take off and land. Taxiways connect runways to terminal areas and allow aircrafts to safely move between runways. Aprons provide parking for aircrafts near terminals. Terminal buildings house passenger facilities. Control towers allow air traffic controllers to direct aircraft movements. Hangars provide covered spaces for aircraft maintenance. Parking areas are for vehicles.

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Abdullahi Abdi Hashi
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1K views60 pages

Components of An Airport

The key components of an airport include runways, taxiways, aprons, terminal buildings, control towers, hangars, and parking areas. Runways are paved strips where aircrafts take off and land. Taxiways connect runways to terminal areas and allow aircrafts to safely move between runways. Aprons provide parking for aircrafts near terminals. Terminal buildings house passenger facilities. Control towers allow air traffic controllers to direct aircraft movements. Hangars provide covered spaces for aircraft maintenance. Parking areas are for vehicles.

Uploaded by

Abdullahi Abdi Hashi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Components of an Airport

Transport Engineering
Transportation engineering in civil engineering involves study of
highway engineering, railway engineering, airports and harbors.
Major topics like Highway development, planning, alignment, survey,
design, payment materials, construction methods, drainage etc. are
covered in this subject.
Another part deals with the railway engineering which includes
information regarding sleepers, ballast, geometric design, points and
crossings in railway lines, railway signals etc.
It even explains the other transport sectors like airport runway,
tunnels and harbors.

Importance of Transportation Engineering


It stands as a basis for highways, runways, tunnels and harbors. A
detail and in-depth knowledge can be gained in the masters of
Highway Engineering or infrastructure design.
There are various components of an airport which are structures.
The planning and designing of these Airport components are
carried out by civil and structural engineers
Components of Airport
•Runway
•Taxiway
•Apron
•Terminal building
•Control tower
•Hanger
•Parking
Runway
Runway is a paved land strip on which landing and takeoff operations of
aircrafts takes place. It is in leveled position without any obstructions on it.

Special markings are made on the runway to differ it from the normal
roadways. Similarly, after sunset, specially provided lightings are helped the
aircrafts for safe landing.
Many factors are considered for design of runway. The direction of runway
should be in the direction of wind. Sometimes cross winds may happen, so,
for safety considerations second runway should be laid normal to the main
runway.

The number of runways for an airport is depends upon the traffic. If the
traffic is more than 30 movements per hour, then it is necessary to provide
another runway.
Runway can be laid using bitumen or concrete. Bitumen is economic but
concrete runways have long span and requires less maintenance cost.
The width of runway is dependent of maximum size of aircrafts
utilizing it. The length of runway is decided from different
considerations like elevation of land, temperature, take off height,
gradients etc.
There are different runway
patterns are available and they are

•Single runway
•Two runways
•Hexagonal runway
•45-degree runway
•60-degree runway
•60-degree parallel runway
Single Runway
Single runway is the most common form. It is enough for light
traffic airports or for occasional usages. This runway is laid in the
direction of wind in that particular area.

Two Runway
Two runway contains two runway which are laid in different
directions by considering cross winds or wind conditions in that
particular area. The runways may be laid in the form of L shape
or T shape or X shape.

Hexagonal Runway
This is the modern pattern of system of runway laying. In which
the takeoff and landing movements of aircrafts can be permitted
at any given time without any interference. This is most suitable
for heavy traffic airports or busiest airports.
45 Degree Runway
45 degree run way is opted when the wind coverage for same
airfield capacity is greater. This is also termed as four-way
runway.

60 Degree Runway
When the wind in that area is prevailing in many directions, so,
it is difficult to decide the direction in which runway is to be laid.
In that case, 60-degree runway is opted which looks like
triangular arrangement of runways.

60 Degree Parallel Runway


It is the extension of 60-degree runway, which is opted when the
wind coverage is greater in other two directions then it is
obvious that the third runway is to be chosen.
But if the air traffic is more, then it is difficult to control the
operations. Hence, another runway is required parallel to
the using one. For that purpose, 60-degree parallel runway
is suitable.

Taxiway
Taxiway is path which connects each end of the runway
with terminal area, apron, hanger etc. These are laid with
asphalt or concrete like runways.

In modern airports, taxiways are laid at an angle of 30


degree to the runway so that aircrafts can use it to change
from one runway to other easily. The turning radius at
taxiway and runway meets should be more than 1.5 times
of width of taxiway.
Apron
Apron is a place which is used as parking place for aircrafts. It is
also used for loading and unloading of aircrafts. Apron is
generally paved and is located in front of terminal building or
adjacent to hangers.

The size of area to be allotted for apron and design of apron is


generally governed by the number of aircrafts expected in the
airport. The aircraft characteristics also considered while
design.

Proper drainage facilities should be provided with suitable slope


of pavement. Sufficient clearances must be provided for
aircrafts to bypass each other.
Terminal Building
Terminal building is a place where airport
administration facilities takes place. In this building,
pre-journey and post journey checking’s of
passengers takes place.

Lounges, cafes etc. are provided for the passengers.


Passengers can directly enter the plane from
terminal buildings through sky bridge, walkways etc.

Similarly, the passengers from plane also directly


enter into the terminal building.
Control Tower
The control tower is a place where aircrafts under a
particular zone is controlled whether they are in land
or in air. The observation is done by the controller
through radars and information is carried through
radio.

The controller from the control tower observes all the


aircrafts with in that zone and informs pilots about
their airport traffic, landing routes, visibility, wind
speeds, runway details, etc. based on which the pilot
decides and attempts safe landing. So, control tower is
like nerve system of an airport.
Hanger
Hanger is a place where repairing and servicing of aircrafts is
done. Taxiway connects the hanger with runway so, when a
repair needed for an aircraft it can be moved to hanger easily.
It is constructed in the form of large shed using steel trusses and
frames. Large area should be provided for Hanger for
comfortable movement of aircrafts.
Parking
This is a place provided for parking the vehicles of
airport staff or passengers which is outside the
terminal building or sometimes under the ground of
terminal building.

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