Runway Catapult

[coolpop6307]

I was just wondering if it would be possible to launch cargo and passenger jets in a very short distance using a catapult like on a aircraft carrier and also land like it. Any ides?

  Thanks Joshua

[pyro-manic]

You'd need a) an enormously powerful catapult (a loaded airliner can weigh upwards of 100 tonnes) and b) a very, very strong (and therefore even heavier) aircraft. Ditto for landing - an airliner landing in a carrier-trap style would simply collapse, and if the plane was strong (and therefore heavy) enough to survive the landing, the arrestor gear would need cables like those on a suspension bridge!

Rocket-assisted takeoff is a bit easier on the airframe, but it's still not a gentle experience. And landing could be a bit unpleasant if it went wrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSFjhWw4DNo

[kerick]

The US Navy has land based catapult and arrester gear at it's Pax River test base. Of course it's built for typical Navy aircraft. There is portable land based arrester gear for fighter size aircraft in the Air Force.
Could you imagine the reaction of the passengers!

[Weaver]

The portable system is called RHAG and is mainly used for emergencies but can also support short landing ops. It's the reason why things like the F-15 and F-16 have arrestor hooks (which are not nearly strong enough for carrier ops).

IIRC, some of the RAF's bomber specs of the 1930s projected that the bombers would be launched with catapults and I also think (but I'm less certain) that it was looked at again for the V-bombers.

[scooter]

The US Navy has land based catapult and arrester gear at it's Pax River test base. Of course it's built for typical Navy aircraft. There is portable land based arrester gear for fighter size aircraft in the Air Force.
Could you imagine the reaction of the passengers!

There's also fixed arresting gear at AF bases for those that base fast jets.  And agreed on the reaction of the passengers

[wuzak]

IIRC, some of the RAF's bomber specs of the 1930s projected that the bombers would be launched with catapults and I also think (but I'm less certain) that it was looked at again for the V-bombers.

Certainly the P.13/36 bombers were required to have he catapult launch capability. The winning designs were the Avro Manchester and Handley Page Halfax.

[NARSES2]

It's the reason why things like the F-15 and F-16 have arrestor hooks (which are not nearly strong enough for carrier ops).

There's also fixed arresting gear at AF bases for those that base fast jets.

Always wondered why they have hooks - now I know 

[perttime]

Don't they call carrier landings "controlled crashes"?

[Cliffy B]

Don't they call carrier landings "controlled crashes"?

No, that's any landing 

[sandiego89]

I think it is more correct to state that the hooks on fast jets (F-15, F-16 etc) are mostly for emergency use, and to prevent overruns due to high landing speeds, brake failure etc.  They are really not there for routine short field operations.  I can not recal them being used routinely by any land based type aircraft for short field ops. The A-4's used land based catapult and barrier gear at Chu Lai, Vietnam. 

[perttime]

Don't they call carrier landings "controlled crashes"?

No, that's any landing  

Sure. I think "they" also say that any landing you walk away from is a good one.

Im not quite sure the self load.... er passengers would totally agree 

[Hobbes]

You'd have to make big changes to cargo handling and the overhead luggage compartment. All that loose luggage will be a mess after being accelerated at 1+G at takeoff, then decelerated at 1+G during landing. Not to mention the passengers, they'd need 5-point harnesses and even then many wouldn't cope.

[Weaver]

I think it is more correct to state that the hooks on fast jets (F-15, F-16 etc) are mostly for emergency use, and to prevent overruns due to high landing speeds, brake failure etc.  They are really not there for routine short field operations.  I can not recal them being used routinely by any land based type aircraft for short field ops. The A-4's used land based catapult and barrier gear at Chu Lai, Vietnam. 

No, they can be used for "expeditionary" use, i.e. flying fast jets from an airfield that would normally be too small to handle them. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arresting_gear

Port Stanley airfield had RHAG gear installed after the Falklands War in order to operate Phantoms, and it was routinely used until RAF Mount Pleasant opened.

[Old Wombat]

You'd also need stronger seats & better harnesses for the passengers, & they'd have to pass a fitness test before boarding.



Guy

[coolpop6307]

All right what about smaller buisness jets and passenger jets?