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A student pilot is planning his/her first VFR cross-country flight with full landings at different aerodromes. The runway dimensions of the training base aerodrome are 980 m x 30 m, and the runway dimensions of the first destination aerodrome are 2420 m x 45 m. What should the student pilot be aware of?

  • A

    When returning to the base aerodrome, the runway would appear smaller than usual, and the student pilot could perform an approach that is too slow, with the risk of overshooting the runway.

  • B

    The student pilot could under-estimate distance when approaching the destination aerodrome, leading him/her to reduce airspeed and height too soon, with the risk of landing short.

  • C

    When returning to the base aerodrome, the runway would appear smaller than usual, and the student pilot could perform an approach that is faster than normal and undershoot the runway.

  • D

    The student pilot could overestimate height and distance on approach to the destination aerodrome, leading him/her to approach too fast and overshoot the runway.

Refer to figure.

RUNWAY WIDTH ILLUSIONS

Runway illusions include narrow versus wide runways in addition to the more commonly discussed, up sloping and down sloping conditions. When you approach a runway with dimensions that are different from those to which you’re accustomed, some illusions may occur.

A narrower than usual runway can create an illusion the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is, especially when runway length-to-width relationships are comparable. The pilot who does not recognize this illusion will fly a lower approach with the risk of striking objects along the approach path or landing short. Furthermore, an unusually narrow runway will tend to cause you to overestimate your distance from the threshold.

  • A wider than usual runway can create an illusion the aircraft is lower than it actually is, leading to a higher approach (flare too high) or risk of overshooting the runway. Moreover, an unusually wide runway will tend to cause you to underestimate distance.

Video Explanation:

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