Kiitotietä

Kiitotietä is a Finnish term that translates to "runway" in English. It refers to a specially prepared, flat surface at an airport or airfield on which aircraft take off and land. Runways are essential components of any aviation facility, providing the necessary length and strength for aircraft to achieve or shed sufficient speed for flight.

The construction of a runway involves significant engineering considerations. The surface must be able to withstand the immense weight and forces exerted by aircraft. Materials commonly used include asphalt or concrete, often reinforced to ensure durability. Runways are typically marked with distinctive patterns of lights, lines, and numbers to guide pilots, especially during low visibility conditions or at night. These markings indicate the runway's designation, its center line, and the touchdown zone.

Runways are oriented to take advantage of prevailing winds, allowing aircraft to take off and land into the wind, which reduces the required ground speed for liftoff and landing. The length of a runway is determined by the types of aircraft it is designed to accommodate, with larger and heavier aircraft requiring longer runways. Airports may have multiple runways, often oriented in different directions, to provide flexibility in operations under varying wind conditions. The term "kiitotietä" encompasses this critical infrastructure that enables the fundamental operation of air travel.