THE OPTIMUM AIRPORT RUNWAY ORIENTATIONFOR DIFFERENT REGIONS IN EGYPT

Abstract

This study investigates wind analysis which is conducted by manual analysis and computer analysis for airports outside population settlements. The accuracy of used software in computer analysis was checked by comparing their results with the manual procedure. The manual analysis represented by windrose type II while the computer analysis represented by two software the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport design and windrose PRO. Wind patterns of twenty regions in Egypt are examined by WORPLOT View and FAA Airport Design program to estimate the best runway orientation. These twenty regions have thirteen regions with existing airports and seven regions of bearable airports. After examining Egyptian surface wind pattern found that the optimum solution for the most of Egypt regions is one direction while there are two directions for Mersa Matruh and Port Said. The existing runways in Assiut airport and Port Said airport have not fulfill standard requirement which were taken in this study (wind coverage and cross wind rules) throughout the year. Runway orientation was found for previousexamined airports. Three runway orientations had been studied with more details, Aswan, Marsa Alam and Al Nozha airports.There is one proposed runway in Al Nozha airport, which have fulfilled standard requirement throughout the year instead of the existing runways. Aswan and Marsa Alam existing runways were accepted.