A remote runway near the Aripuana River in Brazil has sparked curiosity online.
Nestled deep in the jungle, its purpose and origin remain unclear.
Reddit users shared a Google Maps image of the runway, and the responses ranged from practical theories to humorous guesses.
A hidden runway near the Aripuana river
The runway is located near the Aripuana River in northwestern Brazil. This area spans the Mato Grosso and Amazonas states.
Surrounded entirely by jungle, this airstrip has captured the curiosity of many. A screenshot of it, shared on Reddit, fueled discussions online.
Theories surrounding the isolated strip
Reddit users speculated about who might use such a remote airstrip.
Some suggested it could be for general aviation pilots with private planes. Others theorized it might be used for delivering goods to Amazon villages. A few joked about it being used by smugglers or narco traffickers.
One person said: If you look closer there is building hidden under green near river
A second wrote: A narco smuggler
While a third commented: The fishing resort just to the north.
Another added: Why is Glenn Frye’s Smuggler’s Blues suddenly playing in my head?
That’s pretty close to the Pan American highway and a town. Another added.
Someone else said: What about a drag racer
Local villages like Arauazinho and Nova Olinda lie near the Aripuana River. These communities could benefit from such a runway.
What makes this runway unique?
The runway, believed to be part of Aripuana Airport, is just 1,300 meters long.
– Typical runways range from 2,438 to 3,962 meters.
– Smaller airstrips, like this one, are often built for lightweight planes.
– They require minimal construction, especially when made of dirt or grass.
For comparison, the world’s shortest commercial runway is at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport in the Caribbean Netherlands. That runway is only 400 meters long and accommodates small planes like the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter.
Despite its unusual location, such airstrips serve important purposes. They act as lifelines for isolated communities, allowing access to supplies and transportation.
The Aripuana runway is a fascinating example of how infrastructure adapts to challenging environments.
The Aripuana runway may remain a mystery, but it highlights the ingenuity behind remote aviation. From local goods delivery to private aviation, such runways play essential roles in connecting the world’s most isolated regions.