Mowing the airport grass

[NewDazzler]

How and when do they mow the grass at Heathrow airport, or indeed any other busy airport with grass. It always seems to be well tended. This may seem like an obvious question, but I need a definitive answer for a friend. Thanks.

[sddsddean]

Most of it can be done during the day as long as they don't get close to the runways. Sections near runways are done at night when the airport is 'closed' (well, restricted anyway).

[Panic Button]

Who would want to mow the grass when you might get hit by a BA 777?

[sddsddean]

All jobs have occupational hazards PB!

[buildersmate]

Rumour has it that the 777 was attempting a 'single-sweep' mowing manouvre using its wings to trim the grass to a mean length of 60mm.

[colin6789]

The grass is kept at a set hight, if it was too long birds might nest or hide in it , too short and birds would feed on the ground because they could see any preditor. I think that grass can be treated to slow its growth and of course it is not feed. The cut grass is removed to stop it getting in an engine. The reason for having grass is that if it was left as soil it would cause dust that would damage engines and it is too large to concrete and this would also cause drainage problems.