# How does a modern aircraft land at the wrong airport? How will the dreamlifter take off again? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 21, 2013, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420 "2013-11-21T12:31:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/21 "2013-11-21T15:00:09Z")
… are you posting from your plane? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/22 "2013-11-21T15:07:18Z")
‘Recalculating…’ [sup]1[/sup] Stolen from a comment on the article I read. [sup]2[/sup] I posted a thread in MPSIMS before I came to GQ. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/23 "2013-11-21T15:08:48Z")
Why don’t they just change the gravitational constant of the universe ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/24 "2013-11-21T15:09:05Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > I suspect he will be voted off of the show. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/25 "2013-11-21T15:18:28Z")
> [@rbroome](#): > > I think the article is being sensational. The runway is over 6000 feet long. The plane needs 9000 feet fully loaded. With minimum fuel and no cargo, I suspect it won’t have any trouble taking off. I bet there will be a lot of plane spotters at that airport when it does! I don’t know about the 747 LCF specifically, but the required runway length for a 747 at maximum takeoff weight is 10,500 feet. That requirement is longer than the aircraft actually needs to take off. The article I linked to in MPSIMS says they have enough room. Since they say it should be able to take off around noon, I’m guessing that they’re not going to offload the cargo. I have no doubt they’ll offload fuel, though. ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/26 "2013-11-21T15:24:24Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Why don’t they just change the gravitational constant of the universe Because no one remembers the administrator password. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/27 "2013-11-21T15:26:44Z")
Could/should controller in tower have noticed that radar blip was in wrong place? ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/28 "2013-11-21T15:26:58Z")
With a 6,000+ft runway and decent winds, they shouldn’t have any problems getting out. Here is the recorded ATC, it’s pretty hilarious, although you have to feel a bit sorry for those guys. Sounds like they mucked up the approach: > **[Dreamlifter lands at wrong airport](https://forums.liveatc.net/atcaviation-audio-clips/dreamlifter-lands-at-wrong-airport/?PHPSESSID=u9irf5l5742eveisruaeagrn15)** > > Dreamlifter lands at wrong airport ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/29 "2013-11-21T15:39:06Z")
Is there an audio source that doesn’t require registration? ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/30 "2013-11-21T15:46:46Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > What’s left? Spend a few million dollars to extend the runway? JATO units? Auxiliary jet engines? Swallows? To quote a long-ago David Letterman Top 10 List: “How about Superman getting off his ass?” ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/31 "2013-11-21T15:55:57Z")
Tug … in an airport not equipped for large aircraft, simply turning around is probably an issue, especially turning around on the end of the runway. The bigger issue (and more easily fixed) is the obstacles at the end of the runway. As they teach you in pilot training, so what if the wheels are off, if you aren’t going to clear the trees and telephone wires? I suspect with minimal load, minimal fuel, the thing will be off the asphalt in 6000 feet. Remember, published minimum runway standards allows for an abort option at some percent of runway take-off. I suspect they will get special FAA dispensation for a one-time (and they only get one time) take-off to skip the minimums. _“I’m taking an awful risk, Vader. This had better work.”_ ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/32 "2013-11-21T15:57:36Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Oops, typo. 200 ton, not 500 ton. Still though, I have seen the construction of airport aprons rated for the big planes and we are talking about 24’’ thick concrete. I doubt runways made for live loads need to be less beefy. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/33 "2013-11-21T15:59:46Z")
Sorry, forgot about the reg requirements there. BBC News has an audio clip: > **[Jumbo jet safely takes off from tiny Kansas airport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25032380)** > > A gigantic Boeing 747 Dreamlifter cargo plane safely takes off from a tiny airport in Kansas after it landed there by mistake. I looked up the charts for KAAO (Jabara) and KIAB (McConnell AFB) There is an approach (GPS 19L) into KIAB that is initially perfectly aligned with Jabara and passes right over it. There are also approach fixes for both airports with similar names and if you accidentally punched the one for Jabara in, it will give you a perfectly reasonable glidescope. Also the landing was at night (all you are going to see out the window are approach lights), and if you are unfamiliar with the area and not paying close enough attention to your approaches, I can see how one can end up making a perfectly good landing on the wrong runway. Whoops. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/34 "2013-11-21T16:01:37Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > How does a modern aircraft land at the wrong airport? How will the dreamlifter take off again? It’s not common, but it happens… [http://www.wtsp.com/video/1746068423001/1/Military-plane-lands-at-wrong-airport-in-Tampa](http://www.wtsp.com/video/1746068423001/1/Military-plane-lands-at-wrong-airport-in-Tampa) [http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/15/flight-crew-relieved-from-duty-following-landing-at-wrong-airport/](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/15/flight-crew-relieved-from-duty-following-landing-at-wrong-airport/) But wait! There’s more! _ **Nearly a hundred!** _ :eek: > **[WrongWay.pdf](https://www.thirdamendment.com/WrongWay.pdf)** > > 225.31 KB Most of us pilot-types have seen runway B in the distance when we’re heading for runway A. If you’re not paying close enough attention, or there’s cloud cover, or it’s dark, I guess I can see how you pick a similar line and land, but I’ve never done it. Come to think of it, maybe it is common!:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/35 "2013-11-21T16:01:49Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > To quote a long-ago David Letterman Top 10 List: “How about Superman getting off his ass?” Hey, he’s a busy guy - cut him some slack: [SNL Transcripts: Jerry Seinfeld: 04/18/92: The Lenny Wise Show - SNL Transcripts Tonight](http://snltranscripts.jt.org/91/91rlennywise.phtml) ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/36 "2013-11-21T16:08:38Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > the landing was at night , and if you are unfamiliar with the area and not paying close enough attention to your approaches, I can see how one can end up making a perfectly good landing on the wrong runway. Whoops. A lost plane lands sideways across the runway… Pilot: “Good Lord, that’s the shortest runway I’ve ever seen!” Co-pilot: “Yeah, but look how wiiiiide it is!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/37 "2013-11-21T16:16:33Z")
> [@FluffyBob](#): > > Still though, I have seen the construction of airport aprons rated for the big planes and we are talking about 24’’ thick concrete. I doubt runways made for live loads need to be less beefy. Yeah, I didn’t mean 200 tons wasn’t a lot. 🙂 I was just correcting my typo - at 200 tons, it’d still sink. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/38 "2013-11-21T16:19:47Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Now, if they could just install a temporary treadmill… LMAO. You win the thread. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/39 "2013-11-21T16:32:16Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I don’t know about the 747 LCF specifically, but the required runway length for a 747 at maximum takeoff weight is 10,500 feet. That requirement is longer than the aircraft actually needs to take off. The article I linked to in MPSIMS says they have enough room. Since they say it should be able to take off around noon, I’m guessing that they’re not going to offload the cargo. I have no doubt they’ll offload fuel, though. There’s almost certainly a safety factor factored in to the minimum required length. What that means is that the engineers were pretty confident that the aircraft didn’t normally need that much length, but added some “just in case” to try to prevent one of those once-in-a-career plane-in-a-pond mishaps. With the world watching closely, the pilots specially selected and ready, and ATC at high alert, it’s probably going to go fine. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420/40 "2013-11-21T16:34:44Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Why don’t they just change the gravitational constant of the universe I’m still waiting for them to finally implement that undo button. Universe v2.0 “The New Heaven and the New Earth” is taking forever to come out [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-modern-aircraft-land-at-the-wrong-airport-how-will-the-dreamlifter-take-off-again/674420.md?page=3)