Thankyou bean, one does try.

I'm fairly sure no 757 has attempted an auto land or Cat3 approach since that time, Discorde. I think the 'float' might at least partly explain why Jet2 has removed its 757s from LBA and based the whole fleet at Manchester. That company would only make an approach (below 3000 ft ?) in Cat 1 conditions or better at LBA. I don't know if that was their own company procedure, a Boeing idea or something from the CAA.

As a "White Hatter" my first trip to LBA was on the 3rd July 1980 and out the next day to Palma as a Luton based Pilot.

The touch of nostalgia created by this thread may bring tears to Gordomac's eyes but it does satisfy the urge, which comes with growing older to delve into the past!

I think that one of the problems with Cat 3 on to the present runway 32 is that the aiming/touchdown point fro 32 is at the exact point where the logitudinal slope of the runway changes from 'uphill' to 'downhill' so as the aircraft 'tries to land' the ground is continually falling away. Somebody once said that the runway was designed by the same chap who designed the 'big one' in the Blackpool pleasure beach! So no wonder Discorde's 757 had difficulty finding the ground!

Back in the early '80s it was felt that Britannia, with their foot in the door, would become a major operator at LBA. Alas over the years, due to all the changes in the industry, the TUI operation has almost disappeared. Not the same anyway once Britannia had gone, very British and yes the white hats.......very distinguished!

There's not many airlines I know of whose pilots still wear uniform caps. Ironically, TUI is one of them, and Eastern. I think British Airways still have them. They are bit old hat these days.

Ha Ha very punny

Helen49
So " and yes the white hat ....... Very distinguished " Guess you must have seen me in the terminal then !!???