Coll 5/85 ‘Airfield at Dharan for U.S.A.A.F.: Proposal to construct new airport at Bahrain (Hamala)’ [‎33r] (66/522)

DC 88050/1
13
BaSRaH
1. Bas rah, Margil .
This airfield has 4
ESE - vW
Im'NE - SS',7
SSE - NEW
ENE - WSW
runways as follows:
64.50 ft.
3009 ft.
293^ ft.
286.5 ft.
long by 150 ft. wide,
long by 150 ft. wide,
long by 150 ft. wide,
long by 150 ft. wide.
Using a density altitude of 3900 ft. it was calculated that a main runway
length of 7050 ft. was required to meet PICAO Class C standards, and 8365 ft.
for Class B standards.
For existing conditions, bearing strengths, etc. see Appendix A.
The airfield is circumscribed by the Euphrates and the Shatt-Al-Arab on
one side, and by canals on the other sides - see Plan I attached. It is therefore
virtually impossible to extend this airfield in any direction. The Basrah Port
authorities have a proposal to construct a new airfield immediately adjacent to
the existing field on a site to the south-west. These proposals, however, have
not progressed beyond the drawing office, and it is thought that little can be
expected in the way of a new airfield for several years to come.
2. Genera l
Conversations held with the Port authorities concerning the condition of
-the main runway brought to light the fact that they propose taking immediate
steps to re-surface and generally recondition this runway. For full details
see Appendix a. However, even when this work is completed, the airfield will
still be below Class C standards, and unsuitable for any aircraft heavier than
say a York. The limitations on this a.irfield are of both length and strength.
It cannot be extended, and although in the dry season, its strength is probably
in excess of 100,000 lbs. during the rainy season, even after reconstruction,
it is estimated that the bearing capacity will not be greater than 60,000 lbs.
3. A ccommodatio n
There is an excellent terminal building and combined hotel on this airfield,
v/hich can accommodate 100 night stopping passengers. The hotel is air conditioned,
under British management, and is probably the best hotel in Iraq. The Control
Tower, situated on top of this building, is well equipped and efficiently run.
For full details, see Appendix C., It should be noted that this hotel is also used
to accommodate passengers on the flying boat service, the alighting area being
immediately behind the hotel on the Shatt-al-Arab.
4- Air fie ld Ligh ting
The field is excellently equipped with flood lights and an electric flare
path, beacons and boundary lights etc. Details of the lay out will be found on
the attached Plan II.
3• Concl us ion and Reco mmen dat ions
Since this airfield was found to be below the required standards, and could
not be developed, it was not given further condideration.