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View Full Version : POSSIBLE closure of ABZ heli rnwy 23


sox6
22nd Dec 2006, 20:02
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=222691&page=9

See this rumour on the expansion for fixed wing at Aberdeen.

See page 9 of BAA plan http://www.baa.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static%20Files/aberdeencomplete.pdf (http://www.baa.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static%20Files/aberdeencomplete.pdf)

It does say:

9.3.4


Our proposals also raise the possibility for a full or partial closure of helicopter runway 05/23. Helicopter passenger traffic is forecast to reduce by an average of - 3% per annum to 2030, from around 15% of total traffic to 4%, reflecting the long term decline in off-shore oil andgas production. As helicopter passenger numbers decline, so too will the number of helicopter movements.



9.3.5



The possible closure of all or part of this helicopter runway would bring environmental benefits to local communities; particularly those living in the settlement of Dyce, whose exposure to helicopter air and ground noise and emissions would reduce. It also provides BAA

Aberdeen with the opportunity to utilise or redevelop the land for other uses (see Drawing 5). We believe there is merit at this particular point in time of zoning the land for commercial uses such as a Business Park (Class 4), Industrial (Class 5), or indeed as an air-rail cargo interchange depot under Storage/Warehousing (Class 6) in this Master Plan.

So may be very long term (drawing 5 is land use from 2030!), but does not sound encouraging.

Any comments?:confused:

letMfly
23rd Dec 2006, 15:30
They could close 05 tomorrow and nobody would notice.
However 23 is essential for hover checks and general heli training. It cuts down on a lot of circuit holding for trainers (and noise for the public) as it gives us somewhere to put them when there is a constant stream of ILS traffic.
When 16 is in use in VMC, runway 23 for helis makes it a doddle for us ATCOs so it would be sorely missed if it were withdrawn from use!

OffshoreHeli
23rd Dec 2006, 19:00
It is only a matter of time before 23 closes. I mean they have built houses off to one side of the approach and it must be a nightmare for the people living there. Must have shown them around during the quiet periods. Why Oh Why! do they have to build houses so close to airfields. It is only so long before the complaints come in. I would not like to live in one.