Landing plane on the way
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Landing plane on the way

Aircraft landing on the road.

 

 8 of August last year, somehow very unnoticed, in the media there was information about the landing of Su-25 “Grach” planes on a specially prepared section of the federal highway M60 “Ussuri”.

 Why do you want to focus on this? Yes, simply at least, because the event is significant, which could entail major changes, both in road construction and in the practice of training pilots for the Air Force.

Landing plane on the way

In Belarus, a similar use of aviation road sections (AUD) was conducted at an exercise in September on 2014. The Su-4 and MiG-25 attack aircraft landed on the site of the М29 “Minsk-Mogilyov” route. It should be noted that such landings are not carried out for the first time and that landings were made not just on the route section, but on a specially prepared section.   

Historically, it is assumed that for the first time, began to carry out similar pilots landing division of the famous AP Pokryshkina that in 1945 year, sat down and took off on the fighters P-39 Aircobra, with the Berlin motorway.

 But “Cobras” are not MiG-29 and not Su-25, and our routes are not German autobahns.

 In Soviet times, such sections (AUD) were designed and built everywhere since the 1930s, with the aim of creating an extensive network of operational airfields. The implication was that enemy aircraft would make the first strike directly at the airfields where the aircraft were based, and similar AUDs would allow combat operations from them. Also, such AUD will allow refueling front-line aircraft, those that do not have air refueling systems.

Landing plane on the way

These stretches of road, in the Soviet Union were entered in the directories for pilots, of course, it was all chipboard (for official use only one of the varieties of "classified"). DSA considered alternate aerodromes. There were about 20 pieces. But 1991god, the disintegration of the Union, and hit in this area. The establishment of such areas has been suspended.

Former Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, General of the Army Pyotr Deinekin, believes that with an increase in the construction of modern federal highways, it is not just necessary to build an AUD, but also in a timely manner. According to him, all routes built before 1990 have such sections. Moreover, their condition and the condition of the roadsides for the placement of auxiliary equipment were carefully monitored by the MO.

So what is the DSA?

 The aviation section of the road must be straight, at least 2,1-2,5 km long. It should have “clean” approaches (that is, not have high structures, power lines, water towers, crossing wires, etc.) in the alignment. The width of the AUD must be at least 16 m (for other sources not less than 40 m). In addition, the AUD should have auxiliary taxiways (taxiways), parallel to the main strip there should be an auxiliary strip. The taxiways are needed for operational departure from the strip, for cleaning for take-off or landing. We also need parking for equipment.

Landing plane on the way

In Russia today there are 4 category roads. According to the high-Road (the former deputy chief of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "General Directorate of roads and airfields during Spetsstroy Russia" and the former head of the complex construction of airfields Sergei Kalmykov) road 1 categories are ready to accept any Air Force planes, and even the transport Il-76 (interestingly, he took into account the level of theft in road construction, replacement of expensive materials cheaper, etc?)

There are 3 sections of AUD near St. Petersburg. On the Moscow, Murmansk highway, and somewhere near Vyborg. It was not possible to find out more precisely. Interestingly, these sections will really be able to accept, well, at least the Su-25 (weight about 12 tons)? Not to mention the MiG-29 (normal takeoff weight 15 tons), MiG-31 (about 35t), Su-27 (normal takeoff about 24t).

Landing plane on the way

Who will bear the brunt of the costs of construction and maintenance of the DSA? If the MoD, it is quite expensive for them. If the state budget, ie, So always scarce Ministry of Transport and Road Fund, it will be whether it is good for the country? The question is not rhetorical. According to some experts, these sites will be on 20-25% more expensive than usual.

And another question arises: if the MoD has the means to create such sections of the route can not be restored at the beginning why a huge number of abandoned airfields? They have for over 20 years dilapidated and fell into disrepair. Many private pilots again "open" such airports with more stripes 2km, forgotten and abandoned in the wilderness forests. Are they no longer needed the Air Force, with all the infrastructure, access roads and so on.?

Landing plane on the way

As we make the road, they know everything. Examples mass deposited when only part of the route, after a year has trodden track. And at the federal (!) Roads have areas where you can leave the suspension and wheels. Would not a AUDami?

The construction of the AUD is undoubtedly very necessary. Experience of landing on the tracks is essential for any pilot. And it will be good if the organization of audits in the country is not just a spending of budgetary funds, but will serve to improve the quality of our Air Force.

Valery Smirnov specifically for Avia.pro

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