Swansea????
 

Rumour has it that all is not well at Swansea.

Is it true that the aiport authority bought a new ILS only to discover:

1 - They couldnt afford to install the necessary approach and runway lighting for a Cat 1 ILS.
2 - They couldn't afford to repaint the runway markings pertaining to touchdown and other markings for the precsion markings for a Cat 1 precision approach.
3 - The land which the approach lighting was to have been installed on is "common land" and consequently no development of any kind is permitted on it, especially approach lights to an airport.

Even worse, further rumour has it that because of this, Air Wales may pull out completely, and the airport may close completely.

I sincerely hope that this is not the case.

Shades of Inverness - new ILS installed, but can't use it because a public road crosses through the LLZ critical area and road stopping-up takes yonks. And if/when they do get it operational it'll reduce their IFR approach capacity.

Should sort out there potholes / cracks and weed problem before anything else.

Last time I was there, they had more weeds sticking out of the taxiiways then in my backgarden ... and thats pretty bad!

ABO

First 3 points are true, if my reliable source is to be believed. As for Air Wales pulling out, not heard that tho many of the pilots apparently have difficulties with the procedural approach control, and as a consequence are kinda frustrated.

My mate tells me that they've got problems with sheep on the runway - any one else able to confirm??

Oh Yeah! Plenty of Sheep on the airfield.
The apron and 10/28 has been resurfaced but the ski jump over 04 still provides for some interesting landings/departures.

The NW end of the control tower is already in a critical area for the Instrument runway zones and I guess its an even bigger problem for an ILS?

Approach lighting. The existing non-precision lighting is already on common land, Swansea City Council must have found a way!!