Vampire vs Wolverhampton tarmac.
Discussion
Wolverhampton did for a while, probably 10 years ago, have delusions of grandeur - pushing up landing fees, hangarage and fuel prices to exorbitant levels in an attempt to increase revenue, thus for a time being colloquially referred to as "Wolverhampton Intergalactic Spaceport".
The net result was than nobody went there, and revenues declined. In recent years they've been much more accommodating, and its been a while since I flew in there but it seemed fairly smart and well run at the time. I believe the runway de-surfaced by the Vampire was due to be refurbished soon anyway.
First time I've seen the runway climb faster than the aircraft trying to depart it though.
hmm Looks like they have a maintenance problem....
EGBO (WOLVERHAMPTON HALFPENNY GREEN)
Q) EGTT/QMRLT/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5231N00216W005
B) FROM: 17/03/06 10:00C) TO: 17/05/31 18:00
E) RWY 04/22 NOT AVBL TO ACFT REQUIRING A LICENSED RWY DUE POOR SURFACE
L1334/17
Q) EGTT/QMRLT/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5231N00216W005
B) FROM: 17/03/06 10:00C) TO: 17/05/31 18:00
E) RWY 10/28 NOT AVBL TO ACFT REQUIRING A LICENSED RWY DUE POOR SURFACE
L1337/17
Q) EGTT/QFUAU/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5231N00216W005
B) FROM: 17/04/23 13:32C) TO: 17/05/31 18:00
E) UL91 FUEL NOT AVBL
L2373/17
Q) EGTT/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5231N00216W005
B) FROM: 17/04/30 13:15C) TO: 17/05/31 23:59
E) RWY 10/28 CLOSED.
EGBO (WOLVERHAMPTON HALFPENNY GREEN)
Q) EGTT/QMRLT/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5231N00216W005
B) FROM: 17/03/06 10:00C) TO: 17/05/31 18:00
E) RWY 04/22 NOT AVBL TO ACFT REQUIRING A LICENSED RWY DUE POOR SURFACE
L1334/17
Q) EGTT/QMRLT/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5231N00216W005
B) FROM: 17/03/06 10:00C) TO: 17/05/31 18:00
E) RWY 10/28 NOT AVBL TO ACFT REQUIRING A LICENSED RWY DUE POOR SURFACE
L1337/17
Q) EGTT/QFUAU/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5231N00216W005
B) FROM: 17/04/23 13:32C) TO: 17/05/31 18:00
E) UL91 FUEL NOT AVBL
L2373/17
Q) EGTT/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5231N00216W005
B) FROM: 17/04/30 13:15C) TO: 17/05/31 23:59
E) RWY 10/28 CLOSED.
It's an alarmingly common problem with runways on minor airfields or ones where the maintenance isn't the best. I once saw 400t of tarmac lifted by a 747 as it turned around at the end of the runway.
As a professional tarmac spotter I spend quite a lot of time looking at runways and recommending ways to maintain them, usually as an interim solution as the client either hasn't got any money or because they want to spend the money on pretty new terminal buildings. This is an approach I find slightly odd as although I'm not an aviation expert, I always thought having a safe runway was pretty fundamental? Unfortunately there are several UK airfeilds that I've visited that run commercial flights that I really wouldn't want to use given the amount of FOD on the runway.
As a professional tarmac spotter I spend quite a lot of time looking at runways and recommending ways to maintain them, usually as an interim solution as the client either hasn't got any money or because they want to spend the money on pretty new terminal buildings. This is an approach I find slightly odd as although I'm not an aviation expert, I always thought having a safe runway was pretty fundamental? Unfortunately there are several UK airfeilds that I've visited that run commercial flights that I really wouldn't want to use given the amount of FOD on the runway.
I once commentated a Jet Dragster Show on ex-Hahn Airbase, the show was on an old taxiway,
once the jet activated the afterburner for pops and flames there was similar damage, only smaller bits.
We were lucky they didn´t hit anyboby as the spectators were standing close to the "action",
an A4 sized piece of tarmac surely would smart a bit if you get it blown in your head.
once the jet activated the afterburner for pops and flames there was similar damage, only smaller bits.
We were lucky they didn´t hit anyboby as the spectators were standing close to the "action",
an A4 sized piece of tarmac surely would smart a bit if you get it blown in your head.
eharding said:
Wolverhampton did for a while, probably 10 years ago, have delusions of grandeur - pushing up landing fees, hangarage and fuel prices to exorbitant levels in an attempt to increase revenue, thus for a time being colloquially referred to as "Wolverhampton Intergalactic Spaceport".
The net result was than nobody went there, and revenues declined. In recent years they've been much more accommodating, and its been a while since I flew in there but it seemed fairly smart and well run at the time. I believe the runway de-surfaced by the Vampire was due to be refurbished soon anyway.
First time I've seen the runway climb faster than the aircraft trying to depart it though.
It was to be refurbished at the end of May. The net result was than nobody went there, and revenues declined. In recent years they've been much more accommodating, and its been a while since I flew in there but it seemed fairly smart and well run at the time. I believe the runway de-surfaced by the Vampire was due to be refurbished soon anyway.
First time I've seen the runway climb faster than the aircraft trying to depart it though.
Just over 10 years ago they tried to force GA away to try and create a "Eurohub" airport as well as become an engine test facility for Boeing. A few friends of mine had to relocate their aircraft to Otherton and Tattenhill. It is often bad enough to get a car to the airfield via the country lanes, never mind thousands of air passengers, so not sure quite how they planned to do it.
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