Ascension airfield

[tubby linton]

I have just seen a report that Ascension is currently unusable by Voyager aircraft. I thought that a party of Royal Engineers were enroute to rehabiliate the airfield but the press release states that Voyager will not be able to operate there until 2019/20!
How bad is the damage?

[MPN11]

A link to the Report would be helpful or, if on paper, at least a summary of the content and the source.

Apologies for lack of psychic powers ;)

[Two's in]

Suggests here the runway surface is being replaced...

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/55513-south-atlantic-airbridge-ops-at-ascension-island-suspended

[tubby linton]

For those unfamiliar with the power of search engines-
http://www.ascension-island.gov.ac/important-announcement-regarding-travel-to-and-from-ascension-island/

[MPN11]

Thanks ... much quicker than searching Google. ;)

So ... a bit of a bu66er, and a fair few £££/$$$ involved. I doubt a 'party of RE' will be able to improve the bearing strength of the RW: a Regiment might do the job, though ;)

[sandiego89]

Thanks ... much quicker than searching Google. ;)

So ... a bit of a bu66er, and a fair few £££/$$$ involved. I doubt a 'party of RE' will be able to improve the bearing strength of the RW: a Regiment might do the job, though ;)


So who "owns" the concrete? I thought Wideawake airfield was an US operated facility, but on an UK island. Does UK subsidize the airstrip with landing fees? Contract? Cost share? Or does the US pay the UK for the privilege of having an airstrip?

[MPN11]

So who "owns" the concrete? I thought Wideawake airfield was an US operated facility, but on an UK island. Does UK subsidize the airstrip with landing fees? Contract? Cost share? Or does the US pay the UK for the privilege of having an airstrip?That's why I said '£££/$$$' ... time will reveal all, I suspect.

The RAF's fault for having such big, heavy, aircraft of course ;)

[750XL]

Any idea where the Voyagers will be routing through now en-route to the Falklands?

[Pontius Navigator]

Tubby, a link would enable people to read the same report you read

[ORAC]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ts-no312016-ukusa-exchange-of-notes-concerning-the-use-of-wideawake-airfield-on-ascension-island-by-civil-aircraftair-links-and-alternate-aerod

TS No.31/2016] UK/USA: Exchange of Notes concerning the use of Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island by Civil Aircraft(Air Links and Alternate Aerodrome Agreement)

"...Notwithstanding the use of Wideawake Airfield by civil aircraft under this Agreement, the USG will continue to operate Wideawake Airfield as a military airfield, according to U.S. military standards and requirements, and civil aircraft use of Wideawake Airfield pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to U.S. military operating procedures...."

[chinook240]

From FIC Airbridge on Facebook

**INFORMATION FROM THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER REGARDING THE YELLOW FEVER VACCINE**

We have been informed that until further notice all airbridge flights are likely to transit via Africa.

Tonight’s flights will transit through Dakar in Senegal and should only be on the ground there for approximately 2hrs.

[tubby linton]

The reference to Royal Engineers was in a brief report by Janes.
UK sends engineer team to repair Ascension Island runway | IHS Jane's 360 (http://www.janes.com/article/69759/uk-sends-engineer-team-to-repair-ascension-island-runway)

[Motleycallsign]

This happened in mid 90's when we ran a Herc det shuttling Asi-Recife in Brazil and return.

[Onceapilot]

Recife det. It wasn't bad! :ok: :D

OAP

[farefield]

There's a great runway in St Helena...............ok, I'll get my coat.

[sycamore]

Err,don`t we have things called`tankers`,or even tactical aircraft,Herk and Grizzly?...bet the `Nightfighters` in Dakar will be happy....

[BEagle]

Dakar seems a strange choice, given the fuel needed to fly to MPA with an acceptable diversion and must surely limit the available payload?

I would have thought that Recife or Rio would have been preferable?

Is the new Blaise Diagne International Airport open yet, or are they really intending to QTR at the original (GOOY)?

The S Atlantic weather being as fickle as it is, trying to make a decision based on the forecasts will be...interesting. Particularly if the infrastructure at Dakar is still as poor as I remember it being 15 years ago. Friendly folks in ATC though, always helpful and polite.

I guess the A400M will be able to use whichever bits of ASI aren't under WiP? Or will all movements have to be by sea :( ?

[MPN11]

Dakar was the sweet-spot in the 80's, as I stood on the edge of a remote dispersal having a smoke while they serviced the VC-10, and the sewage was decanted badly over whoever the poor sod was!

Remote, as in out if sight and out of mind ... politically, I suspected.

[ShotOne]

Banjul not far away; Gambia's new U.K-friendly govt poised to rejoin Commonwealth might just come in handy

[tezzer]

I had a friend who was booked on the civvy seats for this trip last week, but it was pulled. Being a conspiracy theorist, he has an idea that there are too many of Donald's strategic assets there, that shouldn't bee seen by civilian eyes at the moment, who knows? he might be right !

[Boy_From_Brazil]

BEagle....I agree that Rio or Recife would be much better choices for refuelling stops. However the Argentinians have recently made a political issue/complaint about the Brazilian government allowing RAF aircraft to use their airports. A couple of months ago, I saw a Voyager on a stand at Sao Paulo airport, I believe it was an emergency medical evacuation case.
However, there is no love lost between Brazil and Argentina, hopefully a refuelling agreement can be made with Brazil in the near future.