but it would be interesting to confirm that MAN is approved to accept these types should the need arise.
I was under the impression we were always able to accept the AN-225? There has certainly been a visit of one in the last couple of years (2007 maybe??)
Just search youtube for AN225 Manchester and there are 2-3 videos of the visit.
Category 10 in this context refers to RFFS cover, specifically for the A380. Cargo aircraft require much lower (or sometimes none at all) RFF Category. The issues arround the AN225 are more to do with the neccessary disruption caused to operations which arises from the cumbersome transit of this huge aircraft between runway(s) and suitable parking stands. MAN is not ideally laid out in this respect, with many taxilanes bordered by stands which have to be cleared of aircraft for a 225 to pass by. EMA is better suited for this aircraft, with a long parallel taxiway and separate accesses to individual aprons.
So with less than 2 weeks to go and the announcement that MAN is ready for the A380, I take it that the new stand 12 and the 2 airbridges have been tested and are all ready for the beast?
How's Pier B's redecorating coming along? I hope the its going to look better than the old style, especially when the emrites passengers will be travelling through their soon, quite a walk from the departure lounge! When everything is complete, will you be able to walk down to gate 12? It was blocked off last time I was there (about 3 weeks ago).
The operative word in my posting was "again"; I have my own photographs from the AN225's one previous visit to MAN. I believe it was taking equipment to Nigeria for a charity concert back then. My question was prompted by the last line of the article posted by "nomoresteerage" (posting no.120). It mentions that MAN will now be able to accept certain large freighter types which were previously excluded.
The AN225 visit caused problems, as 'Roverman' alludes to. The airport made it known that the type would not be accepted again based on the infrastructure available at that time. However, the airport still regularly accepts AN124's.
So two questions arise from this. Firstly, would the AN225 be accepted following the work done in readiness for the A380 (and based on 'Roverman's' response the answer would appear to be "no"). And secondly, the article refers to "Code F aircraft" (plural); what other freighter types, previously excluded by MAN, would now be accepted? Or would MAG, as a matter of policy, still offload large freighter business to the inhouse sister airport at EMA (or elsewhere)?
(Posting 128 [above] is part of another thread from a different forum which has been merged into this one. Hence the chronology of responses appears illogical in retrospect.)
Last edited by Shed-on-a-Pole; 20th Aug 2010 at 09:50.
Reason: Explanation Added
In terms ofthe AN225, at a time when its imperative the flight is to/from MAN, then im sure they would accept it. Yes it was a bit of a logistical nightmare, but they housed the AN225 for a couple of nights and the airport operated its normal schedule around it, so they *could* handle it again.
In terms of other code F aircraft, the B747-8 is in that category and CX cargo have them on order. CX seem to send us the new aircraft and the MAN flights are well patronised, so they could send the B747-8 to us (I dont know which one it is, but a stand has already been marked up with a B747-8 stopline.
according the the MEN, the MAN-SOU flight returned after a burning smell in the cabin. Pax evacuated on the runway and airport closed whilst to emergency cover was occupied.
Maybe it happened, but unlikely as reported. Evacs on active r/w's are not initiated simply due to burning smells. These happen all the time in the galleys, especially with horrible crew meals.
It takes much more to let the punters loose. Smoke in the cockpit for example.
(MEN is not a reliable source on aviation matters, or much else come to think of it. Good for cheap used cars though)
Drove past stand 12 three days ago and there was one bridge installed, but didn't look like they'd done any tests on it (was lying very low to the ground so not sure if all the electrics had been installed).
Wonder how long it'll be until the second one arrives? Hope they do a good bit of testing on the new bridges considering how all the other bridges at MAN handle
Also noticed another bridge dumped near Staff West today, looks like it's come off T3? (One of those Natwest ones)
Yes it does interestingly or not, your choice, i made a joke about the same thing once and was kindly informed that as far as the airport authorities/estates and operations are concerned the original runway is indeed runway one (23R/05L) and the newer, relief runway is runway two (23L/05R). Hence in their statements they refer to them as such.
In terms of other code F aircraft, the B747-8 is in that category and CX cargo have them on order. CX seem to send us the new aircraft and the MAN flights are well patronised, so they could send the B747-8 to us (I dont know which one it is, but a stand has already been marked up with a B747-8 stopline.
I believe the 747-8 will enter service with CX sometime in the new year. It will fly to europe and the UK. It will not fly to LHR as they would/could not make the necessary changes to stands to handle it. MAN I believe said no problemo!
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