The old airport could handle a 737 and I have even seen a 757 land and takeoff at PFN but it cannot come in full or leave full. Its just not safe to operate larger aircrafts on runways that short. At PFN the longest runway did not have any run off space and if a plane was unable to stop it would end up in the bay or Hwy 390. You can look at the example of Midway Airport when a Southwest 737 landing in poor weather conditions slid off the runway killing a child in a car due to short runway.
Actually it is true. Midway's longest runway is 6500 and the old PC airport is 6300. However, I lived at the end of the runway of the old PC airport when Eastern Airlines was flying into PC and their larger jets had significant issues stopping on those runways. Weight management is crucial on that length of runway. The 10,000 ft runway opens the area to major cargo and commercial traffic that the old airport would never be able to handle. Misinformation is also a tactic of the critics.
The new air service is a big win, but IT IS NOT BECAUSE THE PRESENT AIRPORT CAN'T HANDLE A 737. The runway is the same length as Midway in Chicago. Misinformation has unfortunately been a mainstay of new airport boosters.
The old airport could handle a 737 and I have even seen a 757 land and takeoff at PFN but it cannot come in full or leave full. Its just not safe to operate larger aircrafts on runways that short. At PFN the longest runway did not have any run off space and if a plane was unable to stop it would end up in the bay or Hwy 390. You can look at the example of Midway Airport when a Southwest 737 landing in poor weather conditions slid off the runway killing a child in a car due to short runway.
mec8824 1 year ago
Actually it is true. Midway's longest runway is 6500 and the old PC airport is 6300. However, I lived at the end of the runway of the old PC airport when Eastern Airlines was flying into PC and their larger jets had significant issues stopping on those runways. Weight management is crucial on that length of runway. The 10,000 ft runway opens the area to major cargo and commercial traffic that the old airport would never be able to handle. Misinformation is also a tactic of the critics.
bludini 1 year ago
ythodges...that statement is NOT TRUE...the new runway is 10,000 feet long...the old one is much shorter!
ctbuga 1 year ago
The new air service is a big win, but IT IS NOT BECAUSE THE PRESENT AIRPORT CAN'T HANDLE A 737. The runway is the same length as Midway in Chicago. Misinformation has unfortunately been a mainstay of new airport boosters.
ythodges 1 year ago