Aircraft Dynamic Response to Damaged and Repaired Runways.

Abstract : The conclusions of the Meeting were: damaged and repaired runways are likely to be very uneven and possibly dangerous to aircraft operations; there is very little realistic data on the expected amount and extent of the unevenness. With respect to existing NATO aircraft; each aircraft/runway combination must be checked analytically and experimentally; the existing mathematical models for dynamic response of aircraft structures and landing gear are reasonably accurate; some simple modifications to aircraft equipment and pilot technique show substantial improvements in dynamic response. For future aircraft or modifications to the current fleet, there is a need for a NATO-wide 'groundworthiness' requirement to allow true interoperability of NATO's air forces. (Author)