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October 6, 2004
A favorite place
One of my favorite places on earth: the Grand Tetons. Photo from a 2002 visit. The Tetons are the only national park with a commercial passenger airport in the park. You haven't lived until you've ridden a 757 in and out of Jackson Hole Airport. According to AirNav.com, the runway is 6300 feet long and the elevation is 6451 feet above sea level. That is enough for a 757 to take off, even at that altitude (typically, it needs 5000 to 6000ft depending on weight and weather), but it will get your attention if you're the sort of passenger who watches the signs go by indicating the amount of runway remaining. That's not a lot of room to spare. But you'll be too enthralled by the incredible view to worry about it.
The Jackson Hole Airport also has, according to their website, the most stringent noise abatement regulations in the U.S. Nothing above 92dBa on approach is allowed. No noisy old DC-10s, for example. But then, if you landed a DC-10 at Jackson Hole, how would you get it out?
Posted by William Polley at October 6, 2004 10:45 PM