Google maps will not calculate the distances, but.....Windhoek in Nambia is much closer to HLE than CPT, and I assume is friendly. What about CPT - WDH - HLE & return? Namibia is becoming a strong tourist destination. Throw in an excursion or two. It would put more fuel in the tanks, or payload in the hold. Does anyone have distances and prevailing winds? Would WDH make a better alternate for HLE than others mentioned. Could an EB-190 fly safely CPT-HLE with WDH as an alternate? However, I always thought the object of a schedule service was to deliver the pax to their intended destination on time. If the guarantee of that was with a fuel stop in WDH, giving loiter time and multiple approaches at HLE before bailing out, is that not the better option than having to turn round almost immediately?
There are those who will have all the numbers at their finger tips better than I.
Just did a quick search and was given the following great circle distances.
CPT - HLE = 1692nm
WDH - HLE = 1352nm
Surely a useful difference when on an island operation.
Last edited by RAT 5; 8th Dec 2016 at 16:01.