Birmingham runway

[261A]

From photos of the runway from ground level/cockpit views you can clearly see that the runway 'is' or 'appears' to be very rollercoaster like as in very hilly and bumps going down it.

Anyone know why this is and is the runway in fact as bumpy as it seems?

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=357835&size=L&width=1078&height=805&sok=JURER%20%20%28cynpr%20%3D%20%27Ovezvatunz%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28Ryzqba%29%20%28OUK%20%2F%20RTOO%29%27% 29%20%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=7

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=183525&WxsIERv=Obrvat%20737-5Y9&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Oevgvfu%20Nvejnlf%20%28Znrefx%20Nve%29&QtODMg=Ovezvatunz%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28Ryzqba%29%20%28OUK%20%2F%20RTOO%29&ERDLTkt=HX%20-%20Ratynaq&ktODMp=Nhthfg%2015%2C%202001&BP=0&WNEb25u=Puevf%20Furyqba&xsIERvdWdsY=T-%2A%2A%2A%2A&MgTUQtODMgKE=Nobhg%20gb%20ynaq%20ba%20ejl%2015&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=816&NEb25uZWxs=2001-08-17&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=&static=yes&width=1024&height=722&sok=JURER%20%20%28cynpr%20%3D%20%27Ovezvatunz%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28Ryzqba%29%20%28OUK%20%2F%20RTOO%29%27% 29%20%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=13&prev_id=222675&next_id=183524&tbl=AIRPORT

[mad_jock]

Its been resurfaced since those photos and also a new exit point is going in near the 33 end.

And it looks from the photo's worse than it feels. Its certainly isn't the worst out there. In fact until those photo's I thought it was pretty flat.

MJ

[261A]

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=158686&size=L&width=1024&height=612&sok=JURER%20%20%28cynpr%20%3D%20%27Ovezvatunz%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28Ryzqba%29%20%28OUK%20%2F%20RTOO%29%27% 29%20%20beqre%20ol%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=16

If you resurface it then it will still be just the same.

[CamelhAir]

Its not bumpy, but is definitely hilly. Flaring too much onto 33 is not a great idea as, as can been seen from the photo, the runway drops away just after the markings. So the aeroplane can sit up a little longer than planned. A firm arrival is required.

[renard]

EGBB isn't that bad.

Try ahving a look at EGGD/BRS - that has quite a wavy surface both along its length and across its width.

[OLNEY2d]

They should sell tickets and Candy Floss at EGTC too

[261A]

Cheers for replies guys.

Seeing some of the pictures of the other runways can see what you all mean.

Any reason why they are built on purpose in hilly areas?

[OLNEY2d]

I suspect many of the sites selected for airfields may have been compromises of being strategic/commercial location vs suitably large flattish area


Enjoy this shot of a 146 tipping into EGTC


http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=620612&WxsIERv=Oevgvfu%20Nrebfcnpr%20ONr-146-301NEN&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Snpvyvgl%20sbe%20Nveobear%20Ngzbfcurevp%20Zrnfherzra gf&QtODMg=Penasvryq%20%28RTGP%29&ERDLTkt=HX%20-%20Ratynaq&ktODMp=Whyl%207%2C%202004&BP=1&WNEb25u=Vna%20Jbbqpbpx&xsIERvdWdsY=T-YHKR&MgTUQtODMgKE=N%20snve%20pebffjvaq%20rivqrag%20ba%20ynaqvat.% 20Znqr%20n%20cresrpg%20ynaqvat%20gubhtu%21%20Pyrneyl%20fubjv at%20Penasvryqf%20ebyyrepbnfgre%20ehajnl.%20Pnaba%2010Q%20VF B100%2C%20Pnaba%20100-400Y%2C%201%2F90gu%20s10&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=876&NEb25uZWxs=2004-07-14%2000%3A00%3A00&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=R3001&static=yes&width=1024&height=689&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccu bgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2C ert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B% 22rtgp%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%20%20beqre%20ol%20l rne%20qrfp&photo_nr=94&prev_id=620611&next_id=620613

[261A]

Why does Birmingham have 2 control towers?!

http://www.bhx.co.uk/press/library/p57.jpg

[BOAC]

'Old' airport/terminal is now the freight area (south-west corner) and a new ATC was built for the new terminal.

Rumours of another terminal and a runway extension.

[alfaaloop]

261A the photo in your post is the ground ops tower;the ATC tower is at the old terminal site.

[261A]

They still use this tower for all operations:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=372010&WxsIERv=-&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=-&QtODMg=Ovezvatunz%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28Ryzqba%29%20%28OUK%20%2F%20RTOO%29&ERDLTkt=HX%20-%20Ratynaq&ktODMp=Whar%2021%2C%202003&BP=0&WNEb25u=Tneel%20Yrjvf%20-%20NveGrnzVzntrf&xsIERvdWdsY=&MgTUQtODMgKE=Gur%20Gbjre%20pbzcyrk%20ng%20Ovezvatunz%2C%20bi re%20ba%20gur%20byq%20Ryzqba%20fvgr.%20Purpx%20bhg%20gur%20c ubgbtencure%20ba%20gur%20onypbal%20%3A%29&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=547&NEb25uZWxs=2003-06-23%2000%3A00%3A00&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=&static=yes&width=1024&height=695&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccu bgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2C ert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B% 22ovezvatunz%22%20%2B%22gbjre%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29 %29%20%20beqre%20ol%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=18&prev_id=391665&next_id=253209

This tower is the 'apron' control tower?!
http://www.bhx.co.uk/press/library/p57.jpg

[MerchantVenturer]

Try ahving a look at EGGD/BRS - that has quite a wavy surface both along its length and across its width.
renard,

I suppose that's what comes from having an airport on the top of a mountain.:ooh:

In the days before 11 September 2001, in fact long before that, I managed to get myself onto the flight deck of an Orion B 737 (later absorbed into Britannia) en route from BRS to FAO.

The FO was very chatty and helpful (the captain was contentedly puffing on his pipe - does that happen now?:eek: ) and I asked him about the switchback BRS runway.

He said that whenever they began their take-off roll they always hoped the runway was clear over the hill - and I got the impression he was only half joking.

Does it take a bit of getting used to, especially as I have been told the wind can be a bit tricky there at times?

[FLCH]

Maybe the CAA should dig up the hump on 24R at EGCC and transplant it to the dip at EGBB !!

[Snigs]

Maybe there'll be an option to reduce the EGGD 09 hump, and add a few feet to the 15 end at brum!!

It'd help my landings no end! :p