You were supposed to post on the
FIRST of April, G
Whilst we're on flights of fancy /fantasy. a scaled-up leaf-blower, of the type where a long trunking has air under pressure ,delivered to a deflector which shoots the airstream down a parallel return-path and simultaneously creates a strong vacuum where the airflow changes direction 160*.......now, mount this device so the return-stream flows along, above, a huge conveyor-belt and you have the bones of a STOL - runway-system,
Landing aircraft would enter the "return" airflow, which, you'll remember, is augmented by the venturi-effect, this airflow, directly over the "conveyor-belt" could be matched to the flying-speed of the aircraft, which would become virtually geo-stationary and settle gently on the belt.
This would overcome 2 of the major problems with the circular runway....tyre-wear , even on a banked circle, would increase dramatically. Landing-gear would also need to be dramatically strengthened,due to the centrifugal (centripetal? ) forces pressing the aircraft into the banking...In turn, a much higher takeoff speed would be needed , to overcome the centrifugal force, by generating increased lift.
Well, OK, but you started it!
must get out more.