Thanks for the reference CC , but I'm puzzled. If the An225, with a wingspan of 88.4m & a weight of 640 tonnes, can use Prestwick, what is stopping the A380, wingspan 79.8m & a fairly similar weight ?

The extreme wing span coupled with low slung engines on the A380 push lot of grass and dirt onto the runway as the powerplants are not over the tarmac, something that's not the same issue with the high wing Antonov. I believe MAN has a runway inspection after each A380.

:= Prestwick is Code F able. 747-8 is a regular user.

A380 @ Prestwick
 

There might be a problem deciding where best to park the A380 but, apart from the logistics of pax handling & security, there is no reason why it should not use Prestwick, as 'fly through' indicates.

You would park it on the main apron, and since PIK took 3 BA 747/777 within ten minutes and 2 more a couple of hours later recently, then it could handle an A380 load. You look at how it can be done, not excuses why it can't. And I don't see the north side Spirit manufacturing facilities and the BAE office facilities, the latter in the middle of a £2m investment, are going to be overlaid by a Xian manufacturing plant. Spirit invested recently, BAE are doing so, BAMG moved in, etc, so there are positives, strategic positives, in spite of those who would wish otherwise.

When 380 first started into MAN it used the new runway 05R/23L because of anticipated constraints on the taxiways and inspection was carried out after each runway movement because of engines overhanging grass, but experience has shown inspection no longer required on this runway. Taxiway constraints not presently an issue so the 380 now normally uses the original runway 05L/23R which has wider paved shoulders so it's treated like any other runway movement and no inspection needed.

taxiways
 

I heard that the taxiways are too narrow at pik for the A380, especially the tight bend at the end of 31

@PIK3141
That would depend on having a tow-bar for a 380. So unless it was able to self manoeuvre out, which would mean blocking all the other stands on one or other apron, it would have to go somewhere else & the logistic problems I alluded to might arise.
@ smith
I wonder who you heard that from ? I refer you to the post above from Fly Through....

Putting the discussion aside, chances of PIK getting an A380 anyway? Slim, very slim.

Not if Emirates buy the airport ! ;)

Eric,
surely if you can take the AN225, the A380, (apart from the pax numbers), shouldn't be a problem.
Best of luck, it's a great airport, - great history, and superb location.

The issue, from memory, is the kink in taxiway romeo after the old apron papa takes bigger traffic too close to the runway. Hence either no one uses the runway for a few moments or the heavy traffic holds short of the kink.

Actually as I write this it sounds wrong but I was told this a while back. Don't think it bothered the classic B747 but anything with a wider wingspan was an issue.

With BA no longer self handling at GLA, they have been using PIK more for weather and medical diverts, so when their A380s go into service to JFK nect year, I am sure one will turn up.

S1E, you are indeed correct about the kink in the taxiway preventing two heavies being on the taxiway and the runway at the same time.

Taken from the airport draft master plan:

Currently the airfield taxiway infrastructure is such that in certain sections of Taxiway Romeo the largest aircraft cannot be on the runway and taxiway system at the same time. This is because the required separation is insufficient.
We are proposing to improve the separation between aircraft on Taxiway Romeo and the runway so that operations are not constrained. This will be achieved by widening the taxiway to move the centerline
further away from the runway. This will involve expanding the Airport’s operations onto the Shaw Farm property.

You would just taxi it as all the AN124s and the AN225 are taxied - they do not go down the taxiway abeam apron P and so do not go through the kink.

@ PIK3141
You are correct about the Antonov's not using that bit of taxiway but that is not because of the kink. They always park on C or F so whichever way they land, they use the loops to 180 & backtrack the runway to vacate on the north side. Given the current traffic levels, even if a 380 parked on the south side & needed to use the eastern taxiway, it would hardly be restrictive.

fog
 

Was There any diversions from gla into pik today? I'm sure I saw a Continental/United 757 take off today about 10am?

You did, United flight UAL26 diverted from Birmingham due to dense fog

747-8F
 

There is a Cargolux 747-8F brand spanking new on the apron tonight. Can get quite close to it. Very shiny, new and big and also has the new red Cargolux livery. Very nice looking aeroplane.

Also noticed that all the ryanairs that have been parked up for the winter on the north side are away :-O

It was the start of summer timetable for most airlines today so that'll probably explain the absence of the Ryanairs.

Any believable rumours about any party interested in buying Prestwick going around? I suspect it could be purchased for a good price if only a new operator can attract business, I am soon finishing in the RAF after 22years and looking to get work either Prestwick or Glasgow, or at a push - Edinburgh! ;)