Originally Posted by
Justapax1
I remember listening to London VOLMET South (is that correct? I think it was, but I've had nearly 40 years to forget) on an airband radio in 1987, during the gales. Trains weren't running, motorways were off-limits to high-sided vehicles and there were trees down all over the place, but LHR and LGW remained open, as there wasn't much of a crosswind component. The same dispassionate voice read out 'windspeed one zero zero knots' as though this was an everyday occurrence.
>30 knots crosswind usually means most planes will divert. Now, for an airship with a Vne of 120 knots, what crosswind component will stop it landing? 12 knots? I can see a lot of flights being cancelled if the aim is to ferry people across the Irish Sea or across to the Scottish Islands. On both, it tends to get a bit windy at times.
Drifting off topic, I understand that in the 1987 gales, planes taking off lined up on the piano keys, applied thrust, and were airborne almost in the *length* of the piano keys, and similarly for landing. It must have been like landing a 747 in the same fashion as an Antonov An-2, which (like a hang-glider) can fly backwards if the wind exceeds the stall speed, which is 27 knots.
I would concur with your understatement above ! having experienced crossings in both locations.
Whilst I hope the project takes off (no pun intended) I would say it would be a non starter in Scotland. The excellent series "Island Crossings," gave a
very good insight regarding Cal-Mac and how their operations and staff work...incidentally, I would suggest working for Cal-Mac is more of a vocation than occupation, they have some really committed people...
That, and by their nature, islands are a bit tight on space for ports so where this rather large bit of kit could land could be problematic.
Also, I would be interested, as an engineer, as to whom would be signing the C.R.S and how many rainforests a certain regulatory authority would deplete to cover the criteria.
The glossy
PR blurb is only to be expected, but, i would suggest the UK market would be limited.