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Displacement Effect

Displaced thresholds are just for landing in the direction of the displacement. So back in 2008 when the 4800-foot runway was displaced 1500 feet from both ends, the landing distance either way was 3300 feet. You may roll out, or even touch down and stop, on the displacement for the opposite direction.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Displaced thresholds significantly reduce the usable landing runway length for pilots, as instrument approaches are designed to bring aircraft down beyond the displacement, requiring careful calculation of Landing Distance Available (LDA).
  • These displacements are primarily implemented for obstacle clearance or other operational reasons, and are distinct from relocated thresholds (usable for taxi) or blast pads (unusable areas) which also impact runway functionality.
  • Changes to displaced thresholds necessitate extensive lead time for approach redesign, and their associated lighting systems can be recessed, cross other runways, or be omitted, potentially leading to confusing visual cues and higher visibility minimums.
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I don’t often look around the cockpit wondering if I’m the target of a practical joke. But that’s the way it felt flying over Orange County Muni (KORE) in 2008. The 4800-foot Runway 32/14 had displaced threshold markings knocking out 1500 feet of runway from both ends. There was more displacement than runway.

Kore Runway

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