Ike

[rpage]

Just nosing around on the board. All this tile work has me looking for an escape!

I heard Ike's criteria for the interstates included straight runs of highway every couple of miles to be used as runways in case of war within our borders. That's no rumor is it?

[Sponsored Links]

[John Bridge]

I know very little about the history of that era, even though I lived through it. ;) It would not surprise me if it were true, though. I think that the main idea was movement of troops and materiel.

[Cami A]

Forgot I was going to look for some more highway background...

Looks like another urban legend, (http://216.239.35.100/search?q=cache:wrfYQX98R-UC:geography.about.com/library/faq/blqzinterstaterunways.htm+Eisenhower+interstates+landing&hl=en&ie=utf-8) I'm afraid, and snopes (http://www.snopes2.com/) agrees. The first story has a great link to more highway trivia (http://geography.about.com/msub76.htm), too.

[flatfloor]

I recently heard one of their uses was evacuation of population centers in event of nuclear attack.

[Kirk Downey]

rpage -

My Uncle was a Colonel in the USAF starting in the late 40's and elevating to Colonel during his service in Vietnam. I remember that he talked with my Dad about the utility of interstates as runways. He felt that it had been intentional. That's annecdotal and hardly a Presidential memorandum, but the issue could be researched. Try the Eisenhower Library. If there is such an animal.

Kirk out
God is love

[Steve the Spaz]

The straight sections of Interstate highways are merely an incidental feature, as the shortest distance between 2 points is usually a straight line.
I learned from experience that they make excellent emergency runways, at least for small planes. Due to a carburetor malfunction, I was forced to land a Cessna 152 on I-287 in NY, back in 1995. It worked like a charm. However, I wouldn't think of trying it with a C-130!

[flatfloor]

I been looking for you! My dented Cadillac roof cost me over $2,000.

Picture me trying to explain to my ins. brkr....Well you see I was just driving along and I heard a thump and then ...:D

I do remember that.

[Steve the Spaz]

Originally posted by flatfloor
I been looking for you! My dented Cadillac roof cost me over $2,000.

Picture me trying to explain to my ins. brkr....Well you see I was just driving along and I heard a thump and then ...:D

I do remember that.

Sorry 'bout your Caddy! I was aiming for the Lexus in front of you.I hate to damage American cars. Actually, I rolled past a State Police speed trap, and he never even noticed me! They found him dozing in his car, and the FAA showed up before the cops did. I did get hearty handshakes from the 2 truckers I landed between, though!

[John Bridge]

Hey Steve, I'm curious as to how you handle getting the plane back up and off the Interstate. I guess you just sit there and wait for parts and a mechanic and then find a couple more sympathetic truckers? :)

P.S. Stay the hell out of Texas, okay? :D

[Steve the Spaz]

Originally posted by John Bridge
Hey Steve, I'm curious as to how you handle getting the plane back up and off the Interstate. I guess you just sit there and wait for parts and a mechanic and then find a couple more sympathetic truckers? :)

P.S. Stay the hell out of Texas, okay? :D

Sorry, I have already contaminated the airspace in the Great Nation of Texas, fortunately without incident.
Getting the old 152 off I-287 required 2 mechanics, and closing the hwy for about 20 minutes. Unfortunately, they figured that I already had enough excitement for the day, and wouldn't let me fly it back to the FBO.That would have been fun. The owner of the aircraft came and did that. At least I got in the local newspaper and earned the nickname "Road Warrior". Pilots love to break chops!
By the way, I love this site. Keep up the good work!