Posted on 09/05/2004 8:11:10 AM PDT by snopercod
We've grown used to a presidential visit closing aviation facilities but the effect is usually temporary. Las Cruces (New Mexico) International Airport closed one of its three runways indefinitely after George W. Bush's entourage left an indelible mark. A C-17 accompanying Air Force One created ruts more than 2,500 feet long when it backed up to get in position for takeoff there last Thursday. Damage is estimated at $1 million. (Oops.)
Airport Manager Theresa Cook told AVweb that the president's travel team was warned that the asphalt runway (in the middle of a Southwest summer day) might not handle the weight of the planes in the entourage.
Cook said the C-32-A (a military version of the Boeing 757) carrying President Bush landed and took off without any problems. It wasn't until the accompanying C-17 backed up for almost half the length of the affected runway that the damage occurred. Cook said she didn't know why the cargo plane backed up, using its thrust reversers, instead of taxiing conventionally.
Initial reports said it was the 757 that caused the damage but that was an error, said Cook. She said the ruts are about two inches deep but the displaced asphalt also created a bump, so the total depth might approach four inches. The runway was closed immediately. The military is expected to cover the cost of repairing the damage but it's not known when the repairs will be made.
Failure to read the AFD ping.
LOL
Why doesn't the campaign pay? Why should I?
Bush's fault.
Women and children affected most.
This astounds me. Why would one of Pres Bush's entourage planes be carrying Michael Moore?
ATC ping-a-ling! :-)
Uh oh. Trouble in Bedrock.
I think this is just New Mexico's way of getting a nice new and strong runway --- it was obviously a run-down poor quality runway to begin with --- but the money they're demanding will get them a very nice one now.
The president's superb performance caused many skidmarks this week, mostly among Democrats.
LOL!
The timing is suspicious.
Only the wealthy will benefit from this repair.
Should we do this on our own without the support of the UN?
Why does a plane weigh more when it's backing up?
LOL
I want to know how much fuel they used to back up 2500 feet using thrust reversers. Thrust reversers don't really give very much reverse thrust at all.
I think the thrust-reversers melted the asphalt.
LOL! Now we know what was in the C-17. MM and 30 tons of donuts.
I'm guessing it had something to do with an asphalt runway and the heat from the thrusters.
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