Old short runway

[McG]

Anyone know if:

A) what remains of the old short on the north side is long enough to accept the light aircraft based at the airport?

B) Capable of being put into use as a runway for light aircraft only when not being used to park biz jets?

C) the section of short between the main runway and Gama is capable of being renovated to have a higher PCN loading to allow 321/737 sized aircraft to use it as high speed exit?

[Ekally1]

I know they decommissioned it as a runway and can not be used for landing or taking off . It can be used for parking and taxiing however

[McG]

I know they decommissioned it as a runway and can not be used for landing or taking off . It can be used for parking and taxiing however

Yes - and it can’t be reinstated for commercial ops due to the hangars. However do the CAA runway requirements for light aircraft allow the northern section of the old short to be used for light aircraft given its current condition and the length from the Y hold to the end of it? Could this be done at minimal cost?

[pushingtinonceagain]

No
No
No

[FlyGLA]

C) the section of short between the main runway and Gama is capable of being renovated to have a higher PCN loading to allow 321/737 sized aircraft to use it as high speed exit?

No

Out of interest, why not? Thanks for your insight!

[pushingtinonceagain]

Main one is cost. The sub grade would need to be strengthened which involves digging up the whole width and length of Charlie and laying new aggregates and reinforced steel concrete. There was talk about it being resurfaced and opened for the BE20s that Gamma operate but even then the figures being banded about were around the £20m mark.

Next one is usage. We are on 05 around 30% of the time and Charlie is not in an optimal location for jets as a RET. I’d estimate it’s about 200-300m too close to the TDZ for the size of aircraft mentioned to reliably use it. It’s just too much money for the return. That kind of money would be better served reconfiguring some of the wide body stands for narrow bodies if the new owners are serious about going after more low cost operators, for example.

[FlyGLA]

Wow! Those are huge numbers, and you're absolutely right, that money could definitely be put to better use elsewhere. Thank you again for the insight!

[McG]

Main one is cost. The sub grade would need to be strengthened which involves digging up the whole width and length of Charlie and laying new aggregates and reinforced steel concrete. There was talk about it being resurfaced and opened for the BE20s that Gamma operate but even then the figures being banded about were around the £20m mark.

Next one is usage. We are on 05 around 30% of the time and Charlie is not in an optimal location for jets as a RET. I’d estimate it’s about 200-300m too close to the TDZ for the size of aircraft mentioned to reliably use it. It’s just too much money for the return. That kind of money would be better served reconfiguring some of the wide body stands for narrow bodies if the new owners are serious about going after more low cost operators, for example.

Thanks for the info.