Originally Posted by
Smalahove
Oh, I dunno, if the captain was having a heart attack and Funchal was the nearest airport, I would definitely consider it.
I wouldn't, I'd go to Porto Santo, which has a sodding long/wide runway without the complications of FNC, an emergency medical centre to look after the ill pilot and is minutes flying time away from Funchal, if he needs to be transferred.
Better to take the easier landing and safeguard 100 odd people, whilst offering a good solution for the pilot.
Then again, I'm only a PPL, but I have paxed in and out of both those airports and they are chalk and cheese.