Leeds Bradford runway closure

[FullyFlapped]

Just had word from the airport authorities that they are to withdraw runway 09/27 permanently from 2005, to accomodate more costa-del-chips jets.

This leaves only runway 14/32, which is fine for the jet traffic, but is going to leave us little guys picking buttons off the seats when the wind comes howling out of the southwest like it often is up there (airport is high and windswept at the best of times) !

Another nail in the GA coffin at Leeds, I suspect ... costs a fortune to be based there, and I increasingly feel like a gatecrasher at a party. Trouble is it's just too far to the next alternative at Sherburn ...

Hey ho !

FF :ok:

[radarcontrol]

This is really crap. The wind at the best of times is usually unaccomodating but especially for runway 14/32. I'm guessing that multiflight and LFS are going to be distinctly unhappy at this development.

[MikeeB]

So if say 50% of the GA traffic dropped off, would LB still have enough movements to retain the class D?

Somebody told me that Humberside lost theirs for the same reason - long before my time though.

Might be a daft question, but then the only daft one is that which is not asked ;)

[leeds.flyer]

Hello,

I've been on this forum quite a bit recently, but not felt the need to post until I saw this thread. I have just re-started my lessons at Multiflight after two years of not flying, following a dozen lessons at Sherburn.

But, I just can't believe they're closing 27. I live directly under the path of light aircraft departing from 27, and it's suprising how many use this runway. I used it myself last week - however my instructor seemed to think the dark patches that appeared were in fact puddles...... despite the clear skies ???

Given the fact that I have just given Multiflight a huge wad of cash to teach me to fly - I'm quite concerned by this - and also the fact that they've got their Robin's up for sale.

I have a lesson tomorrow so I might just ask what's going on.

Anyway, hope to maybe meet some of you Leeds-based guys soon perhaps??

Paul

[niknak]

Think bubble from Leeds Bradford airport M.D. :

"Commercial traffic and charter aircraft = money."

"G/A, and such like traffic at a major regional airport = squit all earnings to airport authority."

"G/A revenue contributes naff all to running of airport at an airport like Leeds, consequently the needs of G/A against the needs of revenue earning flights are not worthy of consideration."

"G/A is not needed at Leeds, bog off somewhere else."

[poetpilot]

Rule No.1 - Dont give huge wads of cash to anyone up front to learn to fly. Many have been bitten by this tactic.

[PENNINE BOY]

Shame, Have used that runway a few times in a 146 when the wind was gusting 55kts.

It saved the company a few bob not having to divert to Man or Tsd.

GA aircraft can fit in at most busy airfields and should be welcome by all, just keep the radio calls to a minimum and dont land on the piano keys and trundle down the runway.

Leeds Flyer enjoy your lesson and say hello to Kate!!

[MichaelJP59]

Coincidentally the current METAR is

EGNM 140720Z 20017G28KT 170V230 9999 -SHRA SCT022 12/08 Q0988

Mind you I wouldn't fancy landing my Cessna in that on either of the runways!

We are now getting quite a few Leeds Flying School planes operating from Sheffield City, maybe this is going to become the norm?

- Michael

[Capt BK]

It's a bummer but dosen't suprise me! I was IR training today there and from the ILS had to circle to land on 27 because the Xwind limit was way out!

Re: LFS - They run their Uni PPL stuff from Sheffield but as far as I know have no plans to move everything there, especially as Sheffield is going to lose half it's runway with offices on the climb out!

Re: Humberside - I didn't think they have ever had Class D other then the ATZ have they? I did actually hear that they were thinking of closing their 09/27 as well and they have nowhere near the commercial traffic LBA does. Admittedly the main runway is better orientated then LBA but I have seen a KLM F50 use HUY's r/w27!!

[Tommyinyork]

What LBA needs is an apron expansion, closing runway 27 is not the answer, they are better keeping the aircraft where there Multiflight hanger is.

[niknak]

The list of potential runway closures goes on:

At Norwich, rwy 22/04 is closed at the moment, and is unlikely ever to reopen as a fixed wing runway, although to be fair, it is more down to the fact that the foundations are now virtually non existant, and repairs would probably entail completely digging up the entire length and rebuilding it.
If the proposed dedicated heliport is ever built, it's highly likely that this will be located on the North of the airfield, and rwy 22 will be a 500m or so, helicopter runway only.

Tis true that Humberside have never had any CAS, but there are times that they could have done with it. :uhoh:

[682ft AMSL]

FF - Do we know this is for definite at Leeds. I'd always thought the plan was to use 27 for overnight parking as an overflow for the main apron and then reopen it, if needed, after the morning rush. What exactly have the airport authority said on the matter?

682

[BombardierCR7]

What LBA needs is an apron expansion, closing runway 27 is not the answer, they are better keeping the aircraft where there Multiflight hanger is

Tommy...can you explain what you mean?

The closure of 27/09 "IS" the apron expansion. It is yet to be determined how large this will be. (ie concreting from Bravo or Charlie to the threshold of 27, or if at all in the short term)

My point is..is it commercial sense to pay Multiflight to park commercial aircraft on concrete the airport doesn't own? or to concrete over current assets and raise net book value?

[leeds.flyer]

Well, I was hoping to find out a bit more this morning, but, yet again, my lesson has been cancelled due to crosswinds! (22017G28KT)

Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

[FullyFlapped]

682,

The airport have said just what I posted above, although to be strictly accurate, they've said nothing to me directly.

The letter I received was from Multiflight (I am their customer, not that of the airport), reporting what the airport authorities have told them. There was no mention of overnight closures only.

FF :ok:

[leeds.flyer]

Well FF, the news from Multiflight doesn't get passed down the line very well. My instructor on Sunday said he'd heard nothing of the planned closure and said it was probably just rumour!

Guess they don't like keeping staff infomed!

[Going loco]

Thought the plan was to concrete over the grass between the 'A3' and 'C' holds, thus providing an additional stands abeam the existing stands 9 thru to 14.

27 would be unavailable when these stands were in use, but presumably OK otherwise?

loco

[radarcontrol]

How many stands would A3 to C really provide? You still gotta leave a sizeable hole to get planes (I assume up to 767 size) out of the apron onto twy delta.

[BEagle]

But how many commercial air transport operators will actually want to use Leeds-Bradford once Finningley re-opens?

Finningley, Sheffield, Manchesterr, Kirmington will give a fair bit of capacity - will Leed-Bradford with its poor weather factor survive at all?

[Going loco]

radarcontrol - 5 stands, I believe

BEage - Jet2, Ryanair, bmi, Britannia, Eastern, KLM, FlyBE.........


loco

[Op checked Satis]

27/09 is regularly closed overnight & used for parking
a Jet2 733 or a bmi F100,If all goes to plan the work on the much needed extension to the apron will start autumn 2005.

[niknak]

Beagle

Given the nightmare of getting to LBA from anywhere south or east of the city, I think I would rather travel from Finningly Robin Hood and his merry airport, if the services existed.

Realistically though, Finningly may well poach a number of LBA's Charter flights, but I think the Leeds schedules won't be affected all that much.

Humberside are the airport with much more to worry about when Finningly gets going.

[sortedtoo]

Did the runway close, or was it a nasty rumour?

[YYZ]

It closed a while back now, about one year I think?

YYZ

[WorkingHard]

niknak - "Tis true that Humberside have never had any CAS, but there are times that they could have done with it"
Could you explain please? I dont understand why. Thanks

[Shunter]

When I visited Humberside on my solo QXC I joined left base for a 2 mile final on 09 and had a microlight all over me like a rash. Some people can and will do whatever the hell they feel like outside a zone.

[Bahn-Jeaux]

Done all my training from EGNJ and never seen a Microlight yet.
There was a rumour of 27/09 being closed there too for jet parking but with Ryanair and now Easyjet ditching, might not be so attractive to the management now.