Brize Runway
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Close to ABIW
Brize Runway
Last weekend from two different sources I was told that Brize Norton runway may have to close again for up to two years? One source said that the centreline lights were 2 metres off-centre and the other said it was because the concrete had not cured from the previous refurb.... True or not?
Red On, Green On
Joined: May 2004
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From: Between the woods and the water
I understood that the contractor's workforce, who were largely from the Emerald Isle, were told they'd put the concrete down upside-down.
Some of them then tried inverting it, but were let in on the joke eventually.
Some of them then tried inverting it, but were let in on the joke eventually.
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Closer than you think...
Last weekend from two different sources I was told that Brize Norton runway may have to close again for up to two years? One source said that the centreline lights were 2 metres off-centre and the other said it was because the concrete had not cured from the previous refurb.... True or not?
, I flew in there the other day, why the hell have they made it so wide but so short? 
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
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From: Sunny (or Rainy) Somerset, England
Last weekend from two different sources I was told that Brize Norton runway may have to close again for up to two years?
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Oxfordshire
How about we all relocate to Akt, and run the transport ops from there? Weather's nice this time of year, and with the Brize movers there to supplement the Akt ones, things should go brilliantly!
Civair for anyone going further West than Cyprus should also cheer up the troops going home!
Civair for anyone going further West than Cyprus should also cheer up the troops going home!
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Temporarily missing from the Joe Louis Arena
A/C based at RAF Wattisham but check-ins still done through Brize Norton, you know it makes sense (to a muppet).
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: In the dark
Last weekend from two different sources I was told that Brize Norton runway may have to close again for up to two years? One source said that the centreline lights were 2 metres off-centre and the other said it was because the concrete had not cured from the previous refurb.... True or not?
Contractor: No one told us the centreline lights need to be in the centre of the runway.
MOD: That should be obvious.
Contractor: If it's not in the contract, it does not get done. In fact you were lucky we fitted them at all.
MOD: Ok, have another £10 million, I will get that seat on the board when I retire, won't I?
Contractor: Yes, Minister.
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: North Yorkshire
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 78
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From: UK
Slightly off-thread, but...
I remember being at Brize for an RCDS (Royal College of Defence Studies) presentation many years ago, where an example of all RAF aircraft was expected to attend (and they had to be immaculate!). I was one of the earlier arrivals, and, standing by my ac, watched the Buccaneer approach and land in the slightly darkening grey day.
A nice smooth landing, quite nose high and bang on the centreline, and then the pilot dropped the hook. The sound effects went something like 'scrape, scrape, ping... scrape, scrape, ping...'
Some of the lights went about 30ft in the air, and the array of sparks was very impressive.
They had runway edge lighting at Laarbruch.
I remember being at Brize for an RCDS (Royal College of Defence Studies) presentation many years ago, where an example of all RAF aircraft was expected to attend (and they had to be immaculate!). I was one of the earlier arrivals, and, standing by my ac, watched the Buccaneer approach and land in the slightly darkening grey day.
A nice smooth landing, quite nose high and bang on the centreline, and then the pilot dropped the hook. The sound effects went something like 'scrape, scrape, ping... scrape, scrape, ping...'
Some of the lights went about 30ft in the air, and the array of sparks was very impressive.
They had runway edge lighting at Laarbruch.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 209
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From: Waleshire
Slightly off-thread, but...
I remember being at Brize for an RCDS (Royal College of Defence Studies) presentation many years ago, where an example of all RAF aircraft was expected to attend (and they had to be immaculate!). I was one of the earlier arrivals, and, standing by my ac, watched the Buccaneer approach and land in the slightly darkening grey day.
A nice smooth landing, quite nose high and bang on the centreline, and then the pilot dropped the hook. The sound effects went something like 'scrape, scrape, ping... scrape, scrape, ping...'
Some of the lights went about 30ft in the air, and the array of sparks was very impressive.
They had runway edge lighting at Laarbruch.
I remember being at Brize for an RCDS (Royal College of Defence Studies) presentation many years ago, where an example of all RAF aircraft was expected to attend (and they had to be immaculate!). I was one of the earlier arrivals, and, standing by my ac, watched the Buccaneer approach and land in the slightly darkening grey day.
A nice smooth landing, quite nose high and bang on the centreline, and then the pilot dropped the hook. The sound effects went something like 'scrape, scrape, ping... scrape, scrape, ping...'
Some of the lights went about 30ft in the air, and the array of sparks was very impressive.
They had runway edge lighting at Laarbruch.
Typoon touched down bang on centreline 46 metres before the threshold. Hook damaged. Centreline lights destroyed. And because of the shattered hook, the (brand new) cable was written off too.
See the spring 06 (I think) Flight Safety Flyer for the full story.
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: An airfield cunningly close the Thames
Just another bloody example of the MOD's finest wasting millions of £s by poor contracts and by accepting the offer from the lowest bidder. Whenm will they learn. Hiring professional contract writers and putting out a proper tender to a proper company even though it seems to cost a bit more WILL save you money, because inevitably the contract isn't for what you want, is (partly) completed by shoddy firms and costs far more in repairs and afterthoughts than if they had done it properly in the first place.
Dear Defence Minister/CAS,
The Defence Budget is fine, just stop wasting our money on poor work and contracts. Write proper contracts and pay for quality, especially for the equipment and hardware that is supposed to last you many years.
Yours,
Miffed
Dear Defence Minister/CAS,
The Defence Budget is fine, just stop wasting our money on poor work and contracts. Write proper contracts and pay for quality, especially for the equipment and hardware that is supposed to last you many years.
Yours,
Miffed