Runway

A **runway** is defined as a rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and takeoff of aircraft. Runways may be a man-made surface (often asphalt, concrete, or a mixture of both) or a natural surface (grass, dirt, gravel, ice, sand or salt). Runways, as well as taxiways and ramps, are sometimes referred to as “tarmac,” though very few runways are built using tarmac.

## Overview

With the invention of fixed-wing aircraft, there came a need to build a place in which the aircraft can gain enough speed to achieve lift and also a place for aircraft to decelerate and land. At its core, runways are basically long strips of level ground or surface. Concrete Pavement is a common surface used for land-based runways such as airports, while steel and wood are used for sea-based runways such as Aircraft Carriers.

The paving surface and design of the runway also depends on the type of aircraft that uses it. Slower-moving, propeller-driven planes often can operate on rougher, less-developed runways, while heavier, faster-moving jet aircraft require longer and more smoother surfaces to take off and land.

## Runways in the New World

### Third Civilization Area and Outside the Civilized Areas

Since the main 'aircraft' are Wyvern and other magical, winged animals, runways can be as simple as a clearing or a flat plain. However, with the mutated variants, such as the Wyvern Lord and Wyvern Overlord, a prepared, level surface is required for them to gain enough airspeed for takeoff. During the Japanese-Parpaldian War, the JASDF targeted these 'wyvern runways,' thereby preventing them from taking off. At sea, Dragon Carriers are the runways.

### Second Civilization Area and the Gra Valkas Empire

Since both Mu and the Gra Valkas Empire both use propeller-driven aircraft, they do have a need to build longer, level areas for take off and landing. Since the Marin has a biplane configuration, it doesn't need a very long runway to gain airspeed. Monoplane designs like the Antares Fighter do require longer runways than the Marin, but the Gra Valkas engineers claim that they could build an 800 meter-class runway in under 3 days, using various machines. This is most likely similar to World War 2 level technology found during the Pacific Theater, where American forces had to build runways on primitive, tropical islands.

Due to its relationship with Japan, Mu's airports and runways have been lengthened and upgraded, in order for larger commercial jets and fighters to take off and land. Mu's airports and runways now also has the capability to operate at night-time.

### First Civilization Area

Since the Holy Milishial Empire makes use of the Light Discharge, Air-Compression Engine, they have need to build longer runways to accommodate the higher air speeds. However, these runways are not long enough, nor sturdy enough for larger aircraft such as commercial jetliners to operate on. As a result, during the Eleven Country Leadership Conference, the Japanese delegates had to use a cruise ship to attend, rather than use a Boeing 747.

On the other hand, when the Holy Milishial Empire sent its delegates to Japan to invite them to the congress, they were worried that Japan did not have a runway large enough to accommodate the Floating Ship of the Heavens Type 35. Much to their shock, not only were Japanese airport runways far longer and more advanced, the aircraft they serviced made the Type 35 look like a toy.

### Japan

Like everything else, Japan's runways are top-notch and nearly all types of aircraft can operate on them. This technology has been exported to other nations in order to accommodate exports and business aircraft from Japan.