Runway project
Runway rehabilitation project is presently installing the HV ring main which will feed the new lighting system, and building the substation to power it beside the radar tower near the road tunnels. Installation of new runway/approach lights begins in May, with new surface in June/July.
MAN canvassed pilot opinion on the preferred layout for the replacement approach lighting last year. This came out overwhelmingly in favour of retaining the 5-crossbar 'Calvert' system over the more common (worldwide) 2-crossbar ICAO standard system.
05R/23L will see plenty of use overnight this year, and we await CAA approval of the GNSS (P-RNAV) approach to 23L which will supplement the VOR/DME procedure. L.E.D. runway centreline lights are also to be trialled on 23L over the next few weeks, and if successful will be adopted in the re-lighting of 05L/23R.