PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Wellington NZWN Touchdown Zone Limit Markings
Old 28th Dec 2018, 07:36
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KRviator
 
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A Qantas thing apparently? Carried-over from the days when the 747 went in there...I couldn't find anything in their AIP about the markings, though they clearly show up on the satellite photos. Makes me wonder why they're still there, given the length of time since a 747 went there?

Boeing 747SP era

Because of the runway limitations, Qantas purchased two short-bodied "Special Performance" 747's for flights between Wellington and Australia during the first half of the 1980s. Air New Zealand operated DC-8s from Wellington on trans-Tasman routes, but when the planes were retired in 1981 none of its other planes were capable of operating international flights from Wellington – Air New Zealand's DC-10s required extra runway length, and Twinjet planes were not yetETOPS-certified. The 747SP addressed this gap in the market. Air New Zealand (after turning down an offer to purchase the type) codeshared with Qantas. Special markings on the runway assisted Qantas pilots where to touch down and to abort and go round to attempt a landing again. The SP service to Wellington continued until 1985 when Qantas and later Air New Zealand took delivery of the more capable and economical Boeing 767-200ER type. During this time Pan American Airways took an interest in the operation of SPs into the capital and proposed a possible long-range service to the US via Hawaii. However the New Zealand Government refused Pan Am's request for the route, citing Auckland Airport as the main gateway for overseas flights and the ability to generate passenger numbers amongst other things.

From HERE

Last edited by KRviator; 28th Dec 2018 at 11:26.
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