A 747 jumbo jet lands at approximately 160mph and weighs 300t when landing. It is equipped with 16 main landing gear tyres, and two nose landing gear tyres. Aircraft tyres are manufactured from natural rubber, and each time an aircraft lands it deposits reverted rubber on the runway and the white lane safety markings. It is expected that the larger and heavier new range of aircraft will exacerbate the problem.

 

This deposit is worsened in wet conditions; as an aircraft wheel will accelerate from 0mph to 160mph during a typical landing manoeuvre, the instant gain in wheel speed on contact with the tarmac creates a vast amount of friction, the heat generated boils any water lying on the runway surface and increases the amount of reverted rubber deposited on the runway by the tyres.

 

This accumulation of rubber causes serious friction problems, particularly in wet weather, as we have all been made aware of by the recent spate of aircraft leaving the runways on landing. The build up of rubber deposits can cover the major white lines of a runway in only three weeks. Typically a runway is deemed contaminated when water deeper than 3mm, or wet snow or slush is present over 25% or more of the assessed area. Contaminated runways should be assessed and the surface conditions reported in accordance with CAP168 chapter 3, Appendix 3D.

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With the ever-increasing world demand for air travel, maintenance timing is critical and the hours available for runway cleaning and maintenance are precious. The natural efficiency of Rubberaser™ allows runway cleaning to be kept to a minimum and reduces long-term damage to the runways which is experienced from other mechanical treatments.