White Sands

[Earthroamer]

ATC was gracious enough yesterday to let me fly home direct to Tulsa. This allowed for me to have a 144kt tailwind. That was lovely. The direct routing took me over White Sands, NM. I have had this same question when flying besides Edwards AFB. What and how do they make those black runway markings on the sand?

 

[PoAdeleted5]

deleted.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I have been over it 5107? once on a Sunday, (remember reporting an ELT as we flew over) No idea on the black runway. Maybe the subsurface is black once they scrape the loose sand away?