> > An airplane could take off from rock or dirt (and they
> > do, sometimes).
>
> Some do. I'd like to see a Boeing 747 try taking off from natural field
> though, the way a single-engine Cessna might. Better yet, try to land it
> in one.
Well, 747s are too big, but 737s have gravel field capability if properly
equipped - there used to be an airport in northern Canada that had scheduled
737 service and a gravel runway (I'm sorry, but I don't remember where it
was, but I do remember dreaming over Pacific Western Airlines' schedules
when I was a kid and noticing this...)
Marc
