Compass swing site - required at a (major) airport?
 

Hi everybody,

My company (MRO) is in an unpleasant discussion with the airport operator (central Europe) as the formerly used compass swing area was made useless by significant construction work at and around the area.

Now, we are looking for an alternate site, with the airport operator basically being not interested / helpful.

Initially, I had thought that every major airport needs to provide a compass swing area. But having browsed through ICAO annex 14 "aerodromes" and a number of other relevant documents, there seems to be NO requirement for a compass swing area.

Has anyone any hints - does a (major) airport have to have a compass swing area?

Thanks,
J.V.

Compass Swings
 

Hi,

I know you said Major, I have been racking my tiny little Ops Bird brain and all I can come up with is RAF Leeming. I know Cobham use it and also Sea Kings from Yeovilton and Culdrose. So depending on the size of frame you want to check( restricted by Fire Cover and LCN) It may or may not be an answer for you.

Cheers Ops Bird

Think Manchester still has one, but don't know if it's a requirement at major airports.

Stansted has one ... it also has a big unused hanger next to it !!!

Staverton do have one. Pending on the aircraft you want to put in there. Contact flight partner.

still no clue...
 

Thanks everyone for the replies (so far).

However, my question wasn´t aimed at a particular airport - I would like to know if there is a "generic" requirement for airports in general to have a compass swing site. :confused:

Thanks again, J.V.

Compass Base
 

There is no requirement for airports to have a designated compass swing base. The requirement is for the certifying engineer to know it is a suitable area. Most of us old lags remember the admiralty procedure for checking the compass base, never did it myself though but passed the CAA oral exam for compass compensation on the old X compass license

Birmingham has a new one, will accommodate aircraft upto E195 size.

Probably cost the earth at Birmingham but Halfpenny Green has one - or did have a couple of years ago. It's probably still being used by whichever maintenance organisation took over from Bernie Gomez.

CASA (know you said Europe, still) says: