Originally Posted by
bobward
Flew into Funchal a few years ago: it was interesting! We did a missed approach to the south, then tear-dropped and landed to the north. Very interesting at the time.
Speaking to the Captain afterwards he made a few comments about it being a very challenging place to land, for the reasons stated above. Had we not made it we would have diverted to the next island north (sorry can't recall it's name) Then carried on by boat. Looking at Google Earth, this latter place has an enormous runway. Anyone know why? I have a feeling it might have been a USAF recovery base for B47's in the Cold war, but will defer to anyone with more knowledge than I.
Porto Santo's runway is 3000m which certainly seems a lot for a place where most traffic is no larger than an ATR and a daily A320. There is though some use by the Portuguese Military.
The next islands to the west, Acores, have significant military history with Lajes as a US place. Santa Maria was a staging point in the past like Gander and Shannon before transatlantic range was common.