Wednesday, August 31, 2016

[whwdciwe] Taking off over sea

An airport borders the ocean, e.g., Boston Logan.  Landings and takeoffs can occur over land or over sea.  Those over land disturb residents living below, especially at night.

If crosswinds or other factors force only one usable runway, and takeoffs and landings must occur in the same direction, then I suspect it would be preferable to have landings over land and takeoffs over sea.  Engines must work harder, so are likely louder, for takeoffs.

This is not done.  It is likely a political battle with airlines, which would prefer to take off into the wind, thereby getting a bit of free airspeed for lift (though landings with wind behind are presumably more difficult).  The airlines win at the cost of residents below.

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