Is this question appropropriate for this site, or is it too opinion-based?

Question

I recently asked this question: Which airport has the lowest circling MDH?

I have discussed my question with another member, specifically regarding whether or not the question is appropriate for this site, or instead if it is opinion-based—whether primarily or in part. If pertinent, that discussion can be found below the question and in this chat room.

If I am understanding them correctly, I would sum up the arguments against my question as follows:

1. Finding that one ultimate, verifiable answer will be difficult given the obscurity of the data in question,
2. While facts can be cited in the answers, the question amounts to an invitation to a contest of opinions, and
3. The question invites multiple good answers, which goes against the SE model which looks—ultimately—for one canonical, good answer.

I recognize that finding that single, ultimate answer is difficult, I also think it should be possible. In recognition of that difficulty, and to better define the parameters of the question I edited it to include the following:

I am looking for any factually based answer that offers a likely candidate for the status in question.

I did this thinking—among other things—that this would clarify that I am looking for actual facts in answers, not opinions. On the other hand, perhaps adding that clarification has made the situation worse by opening up the question to any reasonable answer, not just the one, ultimate answer.

I will also note that a somewhat similar question has been asked and well received: Which civilian airport has the most runways?. At least some of the arguments against my question could also be applied there.

I am not here to defend my question. Instead, I am looking for clarification on what sort of question is appropriate here. Is the sort of question I asked too opinion based? Is it poor form to invite multiple answers which may or may not provide that verifiably ultimate/correct/canonical answer?

I respect this site's purpose, and if it is best that I change—or even delete—the question, I am willing to do so.

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UPTDATE

Given the discussion, I have chosen to edit my question to limit its scope and render it definitively answerable.

Answer 1

As I'm the one who VTC, I'm playing the devil advocate, but only after emphasizing your positive spirit and great openness.

I think the categorization of your question as "asking for opinions" is real, an opinion being the belief that something is true, but without demonstration nor possibility to verify.

1. The answer can't be final as you cannot demonstrate no lower MDH exists, due to the lack of single repository and the difficulty to scan all national repositories. Said otherwise, the answer's author believes no other MDH is lower. If a single repository existed, the answer could be provided and the question would be a good one.

2. The process to provide a good answer to this type of question is incremental up to infinity (well in practical, as there as so many approaches with MDH in the world): Someone comes, like you did, with a first answer, the best in his/her opinion or knowledge. This approach is possibly superseded by a lower one found later. The process continues up to infinity.

You acknowledged the incremental ("contest") aspect in your own answer, so I guess you won't challenge it. If you don't, whether it's appropriate to VTC boils down to the first element: Is it possible to build a global repository or does one already exist?

My opinion is that this is not the case. You proposal to limit the scope to the US is a good one. I believe this is possible to access (whether publicly or by someone with privileged access) such repository and provide the final answer.

This question wouldn't ask for opinions:

• Is there a circling approach with a MDH below 361 ft, which is the one for Point Hope (PPHO).

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Now for the second and different topic: Comparison with existing questions.

We say in French: Comparison is not reason ;-)

The other question is also based on opinions but hasn't been closed. You demonstrated this aspect yourself: An answer was selected (based on the opinion that it was the good one), and the day after you came with a better one. An the process could possibly continue.

Again this is a separate topic without link to the main one.

Answer 2

I wouldn't VTC. It does ask for a single, specific, correct answer. If you asked what the highest altitude airport in the world it would have a single answer. The problem is it might be difficult or impossible to verify that any answer is correct. In other words, of the thousands of airports in the world there's probably no way of knowing that there isn't another one out there with a lower MDH. But I wouldn't say that's a VTC reason.

Answer 3

Consider the following questions:

• Which airport has the longest runway?
• Which airport has the highest elevation in MSL?
• Which airport has the largest number of gates?

These are all valid questions on the site.

The problem is that the answer to some of the questions in this form can be very difficult to verify, such as:

• Which airport has the shortest runway?
• Which airport has the narrowest runway?
• Which airport has the lowest decision height for ILS approach?
• Which airport has the steepest glide slope angle?

The question is valid: it is on-topic and not opinion-based. It just happens that a valid question can have answers whose correctness cannot be guaranteed or verified, as there is no official source for all airports worldwide.