Why do airport runways never intersect at right angles?

Question

I was checking out airports on G***** Maps and was just curious about it. I've never seen intersecting runways joined at 90-degree angles. Is there a reason for that? If so, what is it?

Answer 1

it's just the government making the airport even more of a hassle than it already was.

Answer 2

http://www.airnav.com/airport/KCVG

last time i checked this was 90 deg angles

Answer 3

As a pilot, I'll toss in my 2 cents:

When an airport location is considered, they do wind studies for over a year to determine what the most prevailing winds are. In the United States, they are mostly west-to-east and you'll find many single-runway airports facing in those directions (rwys around 09 and 27).

In other areas of the country, in mountain valleys, close to sea shores, etc. the prevailing wind directions may be different and hence, our single-runway example may face north or south or whatever, depending again on the prevailing winds.

Now, for intersecting runways: The wind studies may have shown that for different seasons, the prevailing winds may have one direction for summer and another for winter operations since landing in a crosswind is a pain for a pilot, they provide both.

It is Extremely Rare that the prevailing winds in sumer and winter would intersect at a 90 degree angle. It rarely occurs in nature, but it does happen and there are a few airports that are like this.

To add to your question, most people are not aware that runway numbers may change over the course of several years because of magnetic variation. For example, runway 25 may become runway 26 since runway headings are based on magnetic headings.

Good question; one I've pondered from time to time myself.

Answer 4

its due to the winds. some runways at airpoorts do intersect at 90 degree angles. the one i can think of off the top of my head is chicago midway intil airport.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co...

Answer 5

they often do. were'd you get the idea that they never do.

Answer 6

There are alot of airports with runways at right angles.

Googlemaps the following for some examples:

KGFK

KSFB

KMDW

KFAR

KPUB

Answer 7

coz its more difficult for a plane to turn 90 degrees

Answer 8

Lot's of them do.  Usually the newer ones, but some examples are LGA, CVG and JFK.

Answer 9

Some do.  Look at s****.>
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KSFO