Aren’t our US Highways built to act as emergency runways every so many miles? I remember hearing that when I was a kid.
The use of the Interstates to land planes and move troops and equipment was that justification Eisenhower used to get approval for a Federal highway system. Ike was a damm sight smarter than most pols.
slightly different take on the interstate system:
(I thought differently about the system being built because of a recent Eisenhower biography I read.)
“Myths” page....(their side of the story)
One in five miles of the Interstate System is straight so airplanes can land in emergencies.
This myth is widespread on the Internet and in reference sources, but has no basis in law, regulation, design manual—or fact. Airplanes occasionally land on Interstates when no alternative is available in an emergency, not because the Interstates are designed for that purpose.
“President Eisenhower supported the Interstate System because he wanted a way of evacuating cities if the United States was attacked by an atomic bomb. Defense was the primary reason for the Interstate System. The Interstate System was launched by the Interstate Defense Highway Act of 1956.Nov 20, 2019”
Federal Highway System, Highway History.
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/interstatemyths.cfm#question5
Not really. Highways not stressed for it, must be specifically built and the mandate for the Interstate Hwys was to provide a safe, fast and efficient way to move military men and equipment across the states.
Eisenhower remembered it took him about 30-days to take his unit from the east coast to west coast. He championed to interstate system, that is why every so often on the “original” interstates you will see a 5-start sign in memory of Eisenhower.
Autobahn in Germany has some stretches of highway designed and stressed for use as a runway. . .mostly for A-10’s. Other jets need more improved surfaces and increased logistics support.
Some sections were but...those small prop fighters put a lot less stress on a roadway than a modern heavy fighter. The roadway needs some serious reinforcement to land modern aircraft.
The problems in the US are how the landing pilots could pay going through the toll gates or fold the wings for the underpasses...
Yep, and some stretches of the internet have markings on the surfaces to facilitate landings. These have been there so many years that most Americans drive over them without wondering what they’re for.