TOUCHDOWN the OBAN AIRPORT Newsletter
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TOUCHDOWN The OBAN AIRPORT Newsletter Issue 4 Jan-Mar 2013 Latest From OBAN AIRPORT FEATURES Latest From Oban Airport Welcome to the first Newsletter of 2013, On behalf of everyone at the Airport, we hope you all had a good Christmas and wish you all the best for the New Year. The last few weeks have seen a great deal of change INSIDE THIS ISSUE in weather with a huge amount of rain all around the country and although the West Coast has come through it fairly well, our thoughts go Biggest Aircraft out to all those who were badly affected. As I write this, the weather is fairly pleasant but the temperatures are starting to come down a bit. LE JOG Event The Islander Aircraft—A The change in temperatures have meant that most of us have been brief history subjected to the usual winter colds and flu. Ah well, its back to normal now and we are looking forward to the challenges that this year brings. Coll and it’s Airfields—A Last December (14th) the Airport was featured on Landward, BBC2 history of aviation on the (Scotland) , which displayed the scheduled services and yours truly. Isle of Coll However I was still sporting my ‘Movember’ look and was interviewed Local Businesses with Mexican-type facial hair. The show was extremely good and demonstrated how good the Air Service is to the Islands. Robert Burns In this Issue, we will be looking at some of the future developments Scottish Island Aerodromes around the area and what impact it may have on the Airport. We have also been sent an article about Aviation that has been present on the Isle View from the Tower of Coll for the last 80 years or so, which I found really interesting. We tackle some frequently asked questions which hopefully will explain more Breaktime about the type of Airport Operations. With our regular features of What’s On and View from the Tower, we hope you will enjoy this fourth installment of our increasingly popular Newsletter. Size of Plane at 2 Oban Airport Apologies to all who found the puzzle in issue 3 confusing. The printed LE JOG Car version unfortunately missed some of the clues but we will try to do a 3 event better one this time around. Airport 3 Information Tom Eddleston Winter Timetable 4 Station Manager The BN Islander 5 Approaching Oban Airport Airfields of Coll 6 Colonsay 8 Brewery Robert Burns 9 Scottish Island 10 Aerodromes Breaktime 11 Page No 1 How Big a Plane at Oban Airport? Quite often we get asked the question; “What’s the biggest Plane that can land at Oban?” There is no easy answer to this as it depends on the type of flight, the aircraft performance and weight etc. In the UK, every Licensed Aerodrome is required to publish details about the physical characteristics of the Aerodrome so Airlines/Pilots can prepare flight plans prior to the journey. This is known as the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and every country has something similar. You can find details here for UK (http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php.html) and then search the aerodrome you wish to look at. During the Airport’s development, many things had to be considered including the Category that the Airport was going to publish. The dimensions relating to the Runway and Taxiways plus the wing span and outer wheels of the aircraft undercarriage gave the Airport a certain Code Number and Letter (Oban is 2C). In order to simplify, the code assigned to Oban Airport basically allows for a Runway length up to 1199m (2) and the aircraft wing span up to 35.99m with outer undercarriage up to 8.99m (C). Flights that require the use of a Licensed Aerodrome will also be subject to Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) Category. This is a numerical value based on the length and width of an aircraft that can use the aerodrome. A formula called the Critical Area Concept is calculated which gives the amount of Fire Fighting water that is required to effectively deal with that size of aircraft. Generally the Category of the RFFS is based around the biggest aircraft that regularly use the Aerodrome. For Oban, it is Category 2 (9m to 11.99m long, cabin width only features at Category 3) based on the BN2 Islander (wingspan = 15m, length = 11m). In order to assist in potential future operations however, the RFFS at Oban do have the capability to upgrade to Category 3 should the need arise (aircraft length up to 17.99m). Remember that the weight of an aircraft can also play a vital role in operating at Oban. Each Aircraft Maneuvering Area has different strengths known as Pavement Classification Numbers (PCN) are applied. This effectively stops an aircraft that is too heavy landing on the runway and creating plough-lines rendering the runway unserviceable. Last consideration I am going to mention is the security aspect. The National Aviation Security Program (NASP) has considered that due to the weights and type of aircraft that are going to use Oban Airport, we don’t require a high level of security screening. This however does keep the number of passengers on a licensed flight to below 20. Taking all of the above into consideration, the types of aircraft that can effectively use the Airport will be similar to the ones listed below. Cargo flights - well that’s another thing entirely and based on insurance requirements as well. One final thing, the Licence application process and details can be found on the Civil Aviation Authority website. LET 410 like the one used on the Isle of DH6 Twin Otter like the one operated by Man by CityWing. This 19 Seat aircraft is Loganair. This 19 Seat aircraft is RFFS Cat RFFS Cat 3. 3. Both these aircraft are Cat 3. 19 seats and L=14.42m, Wingspan=19.48m L=15.77m, Wingspan=19.8m the pictures were of the aircraft when they IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is only a snapshot of the details regarding visited Oban previously. aircraft that can use Oban Airport. There is a lot more detail to arrive at the Aerodrome Category and more information can be found in CAP168 on the CAA website. The Beech 1900D (top picture) ultimate decision as to whether or not an aircraft would use Oban Airport would Dornier 228 (bottom picture) normally lie with the Pilot/Operator as they know the model of aircraft and the What Price for Landing? Oban Airport has a list of charges that Our prices have been compared to can be found on the following website; many other similar sized aerodromes www.flyobanairport.co.uk Although and we have been found to be these are subject to review at present, competitive. Special Business Rates the price is based on the weight of the may be negotiated prior to operating. aircraft and rise through 500kg Landing Fees are paid to Argyll and increments. Bute Council within the Terminal Airport Information—For Pilots Frequencies: Taxiways: Landing Fees 2012: Alpha (A) for use by gliding club mainly Oban Information - 118.050 Bravo (B) to Light Aircraft Apron <1000kg - £11.55 DME - Ch42Y 110.55 Charlie (C) to Main Apron 1001kg to 1500kg =£17.38 NDB - 404.0 Echo (E) to Argyll Aero Club 1501kg to 2000kg =£23.10 Runway Foxtrot (F) to Argyll Aero Club 2001kg to 2500kg =£28.87 Dimensions: Golf (G) to Western Parking Area 2501kg to 3000kg =£40.37 Length = 1264m Width = 30m Fuel: See website for other fees and charges. Jet A1 and AVGAS supplied by TLC Ltd (24/7) RWY TORA TODA ASDA LDA CLEAR- RESA WAY Phone 07770 620988 to book fuel (Note this is not considered PPR) 01 1064m 1064m 1199m 1110m 199m 30m Fuel payments and landing fees to be 19 1141m 1141m 1193m 993m 122m 30m paid separately. LE JOG (Lands End to John O’Groats) On the evening of 4th December 2012, the Airport took on a slightly different role as hosts to the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation (HERO). More than 30 cars of various ages (and sizes) took part in a timed trial which involved driving through a set course marked with traffic cones. The course proved quite challenging with many drivers unfamiliar with the airport layout. The staff at the airport donated their free time to assist as marshals for the event which was deemed as a great success. In fact, they have already requested a slot about the same day next year but slightly earlier. To quote from the HERO website ‘The test site at Oban Airfield is a new one for HERO, and following the successful running (on the airstrip no less) we plan to go back on future events.’ Interest was also voiced locally with the local newspaper coming along to see for themselves. Below are some of the pictures which are also found on their website http://www.heroevents.eu/ so take a look and see just how well these cars are put through their paces. GLENFORSA AERODROME The article we had planned to deliver on Glenforsa has been postponed until the next edi- tion of Touchdown. This is primarily due to the decision on what, if any improvements are going to be made to the grass airstrip on the Isle of Mull. The current status of the airstrip is Closed until further notice. During winter months, the local farmer has grazing rights on the airstrip and historically visitor numbers during this time are fairly low due to weather etc.