Sandgrown

Did anyone take note of whether or not the Arrows landed here on Bank Hol. Mon last week?


Or have the wonderful B.B. put paid to that now as well?


If so, it is just a tad disgraceful surely....


S

blackbeard1

I watched the web broadcast of the Cunard 3 Queens from Liverpool and as the Red Arrows flew over they said that they were going to Blackpool. Whether they landed there I don't know.

newaviator

The Red Arrows didn't use Blackpool Airport , and unlike any previous local event in the past - didn't even fly through or along the main runway ...............how times have changed

Ernest Lanc's

May

23 May Llandudno Air Show
24 May VE Day Anniversary Air Show Duxford

25 May Skyforce Launch, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancs

30-31 May Meeting Aérien Solenzara, Corsica, France




http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/displays/displaydates.cfm

Wolverhampton

I believe they were based at Hawarden Airport over the Bank Holiday Monday.

Ernest Lanc's

Is Hawarden Airport not a GA airport the same as Blackpool?

Shed-on-a-Pole

Hawarden is a factory airfield supporting frequent visits by very large Beluga aircraft. Commuter aircraft regularly serve other factory sites - these are generally BMI Regional E145's. In addition to this, Hawarden is a major centre supporting executive jet traffic. It has fire service cover appropriate to supporting these activities, and a runway maintained to major airport standards. So Hawarden is well-suited to serving as a short-term base for the Red Arrows.

Fairdealfrank

It's the local airfield for Airbus at Broughton (where the wings are made) isn't it Shed? Also didn't it used to be "Chester Airport" (CEG) at one time?

Shed-on-a-Pole

That's right, FDF. AFAIK, the airport still uses the CEG IATA code. They have a small but functional passenger terminal there, mainly used for the BMI Regional factory shuttles. I actually used it just over three years ago when Monarch Airlines operated a MAN-CEG-MAN A321 charter linked to a tour of the wings assembly facilities.

Sandgrown

Passing by the former Blackpool Airport today, peering round the rapidly developing eyesore-er-housing development on Clifton Drive, the radar head appears to have been removed. It took seven years to get the radar set-up, validated, calibrated & approved by the CAA. I have spent a lifetime watching the airport go from rags, almost to riches; nearly hit the big time on occasions, and now have sadly witnessed its demise into a private, as-basic-as-you-can-get airfield, stripped of all its assets and hope by the big bully Boys, Balfour Beatty. They should be ashamed of themselves.




S

Mooncrest

Sandgrown. What was the make and model of the radar, if you don't mind me asking ?

Sandgrown

Although radar had existed for several years prior to the eighties at Blackpool Airport in the form of what I remember as a Plessey 424 very narrow beam primary radar, I believe that the original modern set-up (primary only) was a Cossor 787. In latter years this was replaced by a primary-only Plessey AR 15, which was amalgamated initially with the feed from Warton's then Marconi 511 SSR. After storms damaged Warton's radar head the decision was taken to use the secondary feed from the conveniently-situated St Annes Radar Station across the road. Since this feed was routed initially through West Drayton before reaching Blackpool Airport the whole affair became extremely expensive to run, costing I believe over £1000000 per year.in Approach, the radar displays were Cossor rasterscan, initially circular and latterly rectangular, full colour.


S.

Musket90

Maybe now that virtually all commercial passenger operations have gone the airport could be richer than it once was.

take-off

Did everything get sold by the airport in the auction ? Was the radar part of the sale too, surely No airline would look twice now , beggars belief.

LTNman

Is the CAT 1 ILS still operating? I assume the runway, taxiway and apron lighting will always be operational while Blackpool remains open.

Did the off shore helicopter operation ever return?

newaviator

The offshore operations recommenced in Dec 2014.


ILS , taxiway and runway lights operational and will probably always be required with continuing operations of the offshore helicopter operations from the site.


If Blackpool ever loses the offshore helicopter operation at any point in the future then it would probably be lights out ... as I doubt the current level of GA and the odd LET 410 each day would provide enough income for economic sustainability of the site.

Sandgrown

Chauffeur cars firm set for take-off at Airport site - Blackpool Gazette

Sandgrown

Risk UK Paul Rankin announced as new director of Fire and Safety Services at Securitas - Risk UK

TSR2

And succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.

Sandgrown

I think we can now safely declare this thread - just like what was once Blackpool Airport - Dead ........................................





Over... & Out


S.


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