DURHAM TEES VALLEY AIRPORT - 4

[CentreFix25]

Antonov 124 due to visit early December, something different to look at! Not sure of the exact date.

[DTVAirport]

At this moment in time (subject to change) the Antonov is due on the 8th December, in at 0800, out at 1300, and the cargo is 4x Lynx helicopters for AAC Dishforth!!

[paarmo]

I take it that Mr Casey from Ryanair had not heard the news that they had pulled the ALC route when he said that they had good load factors on it. Left hand..right hand substituted for spin and lies damn lies and statistics.

[BALLSOUT]

I think there is a fair chance that the service was pulled off while there is an aircraft shortage. The last figure I heard was 23 aircraft deliveries delayed by the strike at boeing. Rather than parking aircraft up, they are in short supply!

[SWBKCB]

if it is down to aircraft shortages, doesn't that suggest it wasn't a particularly strongly performing route? Wouldn't have dropped a route making loadsamoney.

[airhumberside]

I suspect axing MME-ALC for mid-winter could temporarily provide some of the capacity for the new LGW-ALC, which starts in December

[mmeteesside]

Does anyone know what the new building/portacabin thing is for that they've just built next to taxiway Alpha? It's inside the Airport boundary and is on one of the old dispersal points.

Also they are currently doing works on the runway to do with ground lighting and also supposedly removing the shoulders either side of the runway. Add to that the new approach lighting going in at both ends and it looks like things are moving forward! Anyone know if they plan on upgrading the ILS's too while they're at it?

The NOTAMs certainly show works on the runway until the end of the year every Mon-Fri night 2100-0500. Good to see works going on anyway!

[papa oscar]

Cat I ILS's are supposed to be phased out by the end of 2008. I believe the ILS is capable of CAT II or III, but the old approach lighting was not.

Now that the new approach lighting is being installed, this should enable the ILS catagory improved to CAT II or III.

Not sure what the new building is. Need to take a wander to the airport to find out.

[Losingthewill]

The new building next to the Alpha taxiway is a electricity sub station and generator for the new lighting. There is also one at the 05 end but smaller, I believe this just houses a generator. I guess these are back up generators in case of mains failure?

[mmeteesside]

Thanks a lot for the information! Good to see and what a turnaround given a few months ago we were all thinking the worst! Good to see things on the up on the ground if not in the air for MME!

[N707ZS]

Sounds a bit like they have been told to get the work done! Not, we are investing millions of pounds in new lighting. Quite surprised there hasn't been a publicity splurt!! in the local rags.

[DTVAirport]

Well, a lot of people, including myself, think the CAA is making them do the work, but if that is the case, why improve the lighting at extra expense at the same time? Kind of contradicts the rumour that they want to eventually close the place?

[onion]

Unfortnatley whoever gave them the go ahead for all this work had not done their homework! The building by the 05 threshold is a switching centre, but it blocks the 1500m vis light from the tower. The new runway lighting is on the edge of the runway itself, which means it is liable to be damaged or obscured during snow an ice clearing. Also it appears they have forgotten to budget for the cost of a re callibation of the runway lights for rvr purposes.
Also I notice that the airport is advertising for ATC jobs, this is a little strange as the managment have forced several people out in the last year and a half!!!

[DTVAirport]

Sounds very typical of our management, if they had brains they'd be dangerous.

As for them forcing out several controllers then looking for new ones, could it be a case of getting rid of the more senior controllers with high salaries, then employing people just out of college or whatever who will have low salaries? I know this was the case with at least one person.

[paarmo]

All of this activity suggests a return to military use on a PFI leaseback arrangement and the closing of Leeming etc.
Well it's as good a rumour to start as any other.
The reality is that the CAA has "suggested" the improvements to keep their licence.

[N707ZS]

Perhaps they are going to build a new tower so that ATC can see all of the airfield. A large phallic symbol might bring in the tourists!

[oldart]

Globespan

Since GSM have been given another MOD contract, will we see their 767 staging through MME instead of the Omni DC10?

[onion]

Paarmo, I mentioned something similar back in October but with FRA taking over some of the roles 100 sqd currently do out of Leeming. This is a rumour that has appeared several times as well!!!
DTVAirport they are advertising for ATSM which is around 70k plus car, so not all positions are to be filled by students. The problem is that several of the staff forced out could of easily moved into this job. The whole place in terms of senior managment is a farce!

[papa oscar]

I see the planned Business Park for the half built leisure complex near the train station has been approved. Is this the start of the end

[DB5]

New office development

A quote in the Northern Echo last week from Peel directed at Darlington BC Planners who approved the plans went along the lines of ‘allowing planning permission for this development (11 office blocks, and all have to be for airport related business) will only hinder the future development of the airport’

Nothing like turning a blind eye to what many believe to be the real reason for a lack of development, clueless Peel management.

Work due to commence sometime next summer, and the existing skeleton frame for the planned hotel will be dismantled.