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In the US there are quite a few small airports with commercial service mainly under 50 seat regional aircraft, that have runways in the 3800–4500 feet area. As far as larger airports with shorter runways SNA Santa Ana, CA has a single runway 5701 feet long and they handle A320, 321’s as well as 737–800 and 757 aircraft. As an aside the 757 can take off using less runway than the 737, it’s often called the Sports car of airliners. Washington National has shorter runways 7,169, 5,204, 4,911, and 2185 feet, as well MDW Chicago Midway’s four runways are 6,522, 6,445, 5,507, and 5,147 feet. Weather, slick, wet or icy, conditions wreck havoc when runways are on the short side as Southwest has discovered at MDW.Internationally there are some very short runways that require specialized preparation and highly skilled pilots. Below is a list of some of the shortest:Scroll to the end for tips on staying safe on a plane no matter where you'll be landing.1. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport in SabaPhoto: Fyodor Borisov/WikipediaThe runway at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport in Saba runs a mere 1,300 feet, making it one of the world's shortest. It's perched on a mountainous peninsula, and the penalty for not landing right the first time is a steep drop off into the ocean or a go around the island. The wind conditions can be extreme and only a chosen few — pilots flying small charter planes with Winair — can land there.2. Princess Juliana International Airport in Saint MaartenPhoto: Lawrence Lansing/WikipediaThe 7,659-feet runway on Saint Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport is a comfy length for small and medium-size airplanes — which is why the larger jetliners come in just above the heads of onlookers at Maho Beach, often stopping just short of the perimeter fence. Hold on to your drink and hat as they buzz by. You can view the close landing here.3. Courchevel Airport in FrancePhoto: Hugues Mitton/WikipediaThe mountaintop runway at Courchevel Airport in France, nestled in the French Alps and the highest asphalted runaway in Europe at an altitude of 6,853 feet, is just over 1,700 feet long. It has a gradient of 18.6 percent and a gut-wrenching vertical drop at the end. To boot, the small airport, part of the Les Trois Vallées ski resort, is often covered in snow and ice. As there's no go-around procedure, pilots on private aircraft require a rigorous training before being allowed to land here.4. Tenzing-Hillary Airport in NepalPhoto: Alex Smith/FlickrThe History Channel rated this Nepal airport as the most dangerous airport in the world. Named after the first people to reach the Mt. Everest summit, the 1,500-feet runway, surrounded by mountains, is on a steep hill that abruptly drops off to a river valley below. With a 12 percent grade, there's no turnaround and pilots can only land during the day time, weather permitting.5. Toncontín Airport in HondurasPhoto: enrique galeano morales /WikipediaLocated about three miles outside of downtown Tegucigalpa, the Toncontín Airport in Honduras has one of the world's shortest runways at 6,601 feet. The mountainous surrounding, strong winds and short runway make it tricky for pilots to land large commercial airlines. The landing often requires a fast descent and a quick turn in order for the plane to align with the runway. The History Channel named it one of the most dangerous airport approaches in the world. 5 of the World's Shortest Runways

I’m going to start some of the more general terms first. Aircraft can fit into multiple of these terms, like the F-15 being a Heavy Air Superiority Fighter. Unfortunatley, I will not be able to cover them all, as there are so many. Here is a link including all of the ones I’ve missed:https://aircraftmaintenancestands.com/blog/types-of-military-aircraft/Heavy Fighter:These aircraft are designed to carry heavier weapons than others, and may operate at longer ranges. They usually cost more and weigh more than light fighters, usually being bigger.F- 15 Eagle on Runway. Image Source: PinterestLight Fighter:It’s pretty self explanatory, based on the last term. These aircraft carry lighter weaponry, cost less, weigh less, and operate at shorter ranges than heavy fighters.F-5 Tiger and a pilot. Image source: WikipediaBomber:It’s pretty simple. It carries bombs to attack various ground targets.B1B Lancer Taking off. Image Source: fightersweep.comNow I’m going to get on to the more specific types under these umbrella terms. I won’t be able to cover every single one, as that would make this answer way too long.Air Superiority Fighter:This aircraft is used it take control on enemy airspace, usually equipped with air to air weapons. Most of these fighters engage in aerial combat, but some do engage in ground strike.2 Su-35s flying together. Image Source: UnknownLight Bomber:These aircraft were usually used before the 1950’s. They were faster, and lighter, than heavy bombers, usually not carrying more than a ton of ordnance. Light Bombers were no longer needed after World War 2.Two Brazilian Air Force Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos in flight over the Amazon Rainforest. Image Source: WikipediaHeavy Bomber:Heavy Bombers carry a large payload of air to ground weaponry, and have the longest range in their era. These are usually the biggest and most powerful aircraft in their time.Russian Air Force Tu-95 "Bear" Image Source: WikipediaInterceptor:These aircraft usually hold a defensive position, focusing on stopping and/or attacking bombers and recon aircraft. Air Superiority Fighters may also do the same thing.A USAF F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter intercepting a Russian Tu-95 near Alaska. Image Source: WikipediaMilitary Transport Aircraft:These aircraft may be rotary wing or fixed wing. Their job is to transport troops and other military equipment by air. Some heavy bombers can be used for this purpose.USAF V22 Ospery in flight. Image Source: WinAir - Aviation Management Software (Operator, Heliops, MRO, CAMO)Multi-Role:Multi Role aircraft can perform multiple operations in combat. Some aircraft are Swing Role aircraft, which can change roles very quickly, sometimes even in the same mission. These aircraft are usually equipped with air to air and air to ground capabilities.A Swedish and Brazilian JAS 39 Gripen flying over water. Image Source: Saab Official WebsiteAirborne Early Warning And Control:These aircraft are used to detect aircraft, ships, and ground vehicles at long ranges. They also perform command and control of battlespace in air engagement by directing aircraft attacks.Saab GlobalEye on ground during sunset. Image Source: FlightGlobal | Pioneering aviation news and insightUACV:UACV stands for Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle. They are used for recon, intelligence, target acquisition, surveillance, and aircraft ordnance such as missiles and bombs. The pilot runs this aircraft remotely, making this type of aircraft smaller in size.Turkish Air Force Bayraktar TB2 UCAV. Image Source: WikipediaThank You for reading. This took a long time to put together, so I hope you learned from this and enjoyed it.