A Flight Below Ground

By Peter Cook

The concept of having airfields underground has been a long considered possibility however those who promote the idea are considered to be slightly unbalanced. However when all the issues and advantages are considered then the feasibility and possibility of such facilities becomes a possible reality. The environmental benefits and new technology make the use of them a cool challenge.
For many people the concept of underground airfields must seem to be totally crazy, an idea dreamed up by a mad man, but that is what they thought about men taking to the skies in flying machines.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329260221

Book preview

A Flight Below Ground

A Flight Below Ground

By

Peter Cook

First Edition

Copyright © 2015 Peter Cook

All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-329-26022-1

Glossary

ATCAir Traffic Control

CAACivil Aviation Authority

DMEDistance Measuring Equipment

DGPSDifferential Global Positioning System

FDForced Draught (Fans)

GPSGlobal Positioning System

HVACHigh Volume Air Conditioning

IFRInstrument Flight Rules

ILSInstrument Landing System

NDBNon Directional Beacon

QFEBarometric Pressure for Airfield Level, gives height above airfield on the Altimeter

QNHBarometric Pressure for Sea Level, gives altitude above Sea Level on the Altimeter

nmNautical Mile

TDPTouch Down Point

TORPTake-Off Rotation Point

TORZTake-Off Rotation Zone

UAVUnmanned Arial Vehicle

VFRVisual Flight Rules

VORVery High Frequency Omnidirectional Beacon

Final Approach

The twin engine medium transport aircraft was approaching from the South, to an observer on the ground all seemed to be perfectly normal. As the aircraft approached it appeared to commence a descent, the engine note changed and its attitude became slightly nose down as if was on final approach for landing. But there was no airfield within 50 miles; this area was dense woodland, not even an open field.

The aircraft continued with the descent and as it passed through 100m (300’) it appeared to be heading for a large forested area. As it descended behind the trees there was no impact, explosions, smoke or fire. The aircraft had all but disappeared; the only indication that it was still active was the sound of the engines going into reverse thrust at the end of a landing run followed by silence.

Further investigation into the forest would reveal two very large excavations in the ground, approximately 6000m apart. There was no airfield to be seen on the surface, it was to be found underground and these two excavations were the approach and departure points for the main runway, the only indication that an airfield existed was a wind sock in the distance and a group of buildings with a familiar tower like structure in the midst. The airfield was to be found 50m below the surface, at least that was the upper ceiling of the structure, the rest of the development was to be found much deeper at around 200m.

Requirements Above or Below

The concept of an airfield below ground