Categorize runway surfaces

[alexstan67]

Hello,

Would it be possible to catorgorize the surface type of runways instead of letting users write the same thing in different ways?
Example using a combobox?

Could be usefull thanks to your databse to let someone search for: "airports with grass runways".

These are the current values (at least in Europe):
CONC,Turf/Grass,SNO,Asphalt/Grass,Grass - Herbe -> Avion - ULM,Tarmac,Unpeved runway,Unpaved,Grooved ASP,Asphalt,CON,concrete blocks,Not paved,Snow,ASP,ASPH,GRASS CAUTION: ATC do NOT apply wake turbulence,separation!,GVL,HARD,Graded Hardcore,SAND, TIDAL,Grass/Asphalt Insert 1968X59 Feet,Concrete/Asphalt,CONCRETE + GRASS. MTOM 2t,UNPAVED,GRE,Grass/Graded Hardcore,Earth,ASPHALT,concrete,asphalt,sand,Gravel,TURF,Demo'd asphalt,Asfalt,asfalt,grass - herbe (avion),paved,UNK,Gras,GRA,Dirt,Concrete,U,C,Hard,Grass,Turf,grass - herbe (planeur),Grass/Snow,GRASS,PEM,Concrete/Grass,gras,Paved,G,grass,Grass - Herbe,Turf / Grass,CONCRETE,A
PAVED,Aspalt,UnPaved,ASHP,GRS...

I can see that somehow you manage to interpete them and to categorize them, example:

Grass -> Surface unpaved (grass)
G -> Surface unpaved (grass)

but we can't retrieve the finale result...

Possible?

[davidmegginson]

The challenge in the past was pulling data from so many different sources, but I think this is something we can improve in the new year.

Note that there are many devils in the details: some runways are paved down a narrow strip in the centre with gravel around them, some are paved for part of their length but gravel/turf for the rest, etc., but I think it will be possible to come up with a taxonomy.