Odds n Sods
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
All the options explored in the last 40-odd years have been nixed by everyone. Govts, business, airlines, locals. No one could agree. STN expansion did not happen, LTN is hemmed in and across two counties, one of which is against expansion. LGW story is well known. The Thames Estury was NEVER going to be viable.
One of the best options, I think, was to repurpose Greenham Common airbase, just to the SE of Newbury. Then put a fast (NOT 'high speed'!) rail link up to the Paddington and down to the Waterloo lines, Didcot and Basingstoke respectively. There might have been an Express on it's own line to Paddington joining in at Reading. The A34 was already going Dual and could link M3 + 4 and A303, as it does now.
As I recall, when the airbase was due to be handed back by the USA, the PM of the day (Thatcher) responded that they were obliged by ancient law to return the property as public land. The RAF base closed in 1992 (Wikipedia). Old laws can (and often are) changed. But I think that, apart from local protest from those who can afford to live there, the politicians were probably anxious about more protests, given the recent history of public protest there.
As to LHR ... one thing I like about T3 is that - whilst it might be a dump - I know my way around! I first went through the Oceanic terminal with my family in 1965. Likewise for T1, first there Dec 75, I think. I have only used T4 twice [once for Concorde
]. T5 is OK and I know my way around. The new T2 is very good.
We all know that plans have been drawn up for the rest of T2 advancing on to the old T1 site - to give space to replace T3 and turn the whole central area into a 'toast rack' to maximise utilisation. Given money questions, I'm guessing it will be a while.
We all know that there has never been a consistent approach to public planning and transport (HS2) but we are where we are and no one should expect any change. Just to repeat - LHR R3 will NEVER be built.
One of the best options, I think, was to repurpose Greenham Common airbase, just to the SE of Newbury. Then put a fast (NOT 'high speed'!) rail link up to the Paddington and down to the Waterloo lines, Didcot and Basingstoke respectively. There might have been an Express on it's own line to Paddington joining in at Reading. The A34 was already going Dual and could link M3 + 4 and A303, as it does now.
As I recall, when the airbase was due to be handed back by the USA, the PM of the day (Thatcher) responded that they were obliged by ancient law to return the property as public land. The RAF base closed in 1992 (Wikipedia). Old laws can (and often are) changed. But I think that, apart from local protest from those who can afford to live there, the politicians were probably anxious about more protests, given the recent history of public protest there.
As to LHR ... one thing I like about T3 is that - whilst it might be a dump - I know my way around! I first went through the Oceanic terminal with my family in 1965. Likewise for T1, first there Dec 75, I think. I have only used T4 twice [once for Concorde
]. T5 is OK and I know my way around. The new T2 is very good.We all know that plans have been drawn up for the rest of T2 advancing on to the old T1 site - to give space to replace T3 and turn the whole central area into a 'toast rack' to maximise utilisation. Given money questions, I'm guessing it will be a while.
We all know that there has never been a consistent approach to public planning and transport (HS2) but we are where we are and no one should expect any change. Just to repeat - LHR R3 will NEVER be built.
Joined: May 2024
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 965
Likes: 1,018
From: Near SOU
All the options explored in the last 40-odd years have been nixed by everyone. Govts, business, airlines, locals. No one could agree. STN expansion did not happen, LTN is hemmed in and across two counties, one of which is against expansion. LGW story is well known. The Thames Estury was NEVER going to be viable.
One of the best options, I think, was to repurpose Greenham Common airbase, just to the SE of Newbury. Then put a fast (NOT 'high speed'!) rail link up to the Paddington and down to the Waterloo lines, Didcot and Basingstoke respectively. There might have been an Express on it's own line to Paddington joining in at Reading. The A34 was already going Dual and could link M3 + 4 and A303, as it does now.
As I recall, when the airbase was due to be handed back by the USA, the PM of the day (Thatcher) responded that they were obliged by ancient law to return the property as public land. The RAF base closed in 1992 (Wikipedia). Old laws can (and often are) changed. But I think that, apart from local protest from those who can afford to live there, the politicians were probably anxious about more protests, given the recent history of public protest there.
As to LHR ... one thing I like about T3 is that - whilst it might be a dump - I know my way around! I first went through the Oceanic terminal with my family in 1965. Likewise for T1, first there Dec 75, I think. I have only used T4 twice [once for Concorde]. T5 is OK and I know my way around. The new T2 is very good.
We all know that plans have been drawn up for the rest of T2 advancing on to the old T1 site - to give space to replace T3 and turn the whole central area into a 'toast rack' to maximise utilisation. Given money questions, I'm guessing it will be a while.
We all know that there has never been a consistent approach to public planning and transport (HS2) but we are where we are and no one should expect any change. Just to repeat - LHR R3 will NEVER be built.
One of the best options, I think, was to repurpose Greenham Common airbase, just to the SE of Newbury. Then put a fast (NOT 'high speed'!) rail link up to the Paddington and down to the Waterloo lines, Didcot and Basingstoke respectively. There might have been an Express on it's own line to Paddington joining in at Reading. The A34 was already going Dual and could link M3 + 4 and A303, as it does now.
As I recall, when the airbase was due to be handed back by the USA, the PM of the day (Thatcher) responded that they were obliged by ancient law to return the property as public land. The RAF base closed in 1992 (Wikipedia). Old laws can (and often are) changed. But I think that, apart from local protest from those who can afford to live there, the politicians were probably anxious about more protests, given the recent history of public protest there.
As to LHR ... one thing I like about T3 is that - whilst it might be a dump - I know my way around! I first went through the Oceanic terminal with my family in 1965. Likewise for T1, first there Dec 75, I think. I have only used T4 twice [once for Concorde
]. T5 is OK and I know my way around. The new T2 is very good.We all know that plans have been drawn up for the rest of T2 advancing on to the old T1 site - to give space to replace T3 and turn the whole central area into a 'toast rack' to maximise utilisation. Given money questions, I'm guessing it will be a while.
We all know that there has never been a consistent approach to public planning and transport (HS2) but we are where we are and no one should expect any change. Just to repeat - LHR R3 will NEVER be built.
As you say, it is wellish connected with public transport or would be with a little tweaking and road connections are decent too.
Might work if there is someone with enough spine to go for it.....though not holding the breath there
Joined: Jan 2000
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 312
From: UK and Italy
Joined: Oct 2018
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,217
Likes: 1,649
From: Ferrara
"Greenham Common airbase, just to the SE of Newbury. Then put a fast (NOT 'high speed'!) rail link up to the Paddington and down to the Waterloo lines, Didcot and Basingstoke respectively."
The main line from Paddington to Exeter runs a mile north of the old runway - and via Reading you can link to Basingstoke, Didcot, Waterloo and LGW. IIRC Roskill looked at a site east of Greenham for the dreaded 3rd airport but there were issues with proximity to Aldermaston
The main line from Paddington to Exeter runs a mile north of the old runway - and via Reading you can link to Basingstoke, Didcot, Waterloo and LGW. IIRC Roskill looked at a site east of Greenham for the dreaded 3rd airport but there were issues with proximity to Aldermaston
Joined: May 2024
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 965
Likes: 1,018
From: Near SOU
Even the ruddy squirrels are causing mayhem on the trains to LGW thesedays.....
Apparently they attacked everyone in the rear carriage and caused absolute mayhem yesterday. One was removed with the help of peanuts and a broom, the other was having none of it.
Getting to LGW is becoming more and more of a nightmare
(The story about these two miscreant squirrels is in the DM and Sun so far...a neighbour showed me in their paper this morning)
'We can confirm that the 0854 Reading to Gatwick was terminated at Redhill after a couple of squirrels boarded the train at Gomshall without tickets, breaching railway byeclaws.
'We attempted to remove them at Redhill, but one refused to leave and was returned to Reading to bring an end to this nutty tail.'
'We attempted to remove them at Redhill, but one refused to leave and was returned to Reading to bring an end to this nutty tail.'
Getting to LGW is becoming more and more of a nightmare
(The story about these two miscreant squirrels is in the DM and Sun so far...a neighbour showed me in their paper this morning)
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Nut bans little help to allergic air passengers
BBC
Asking aeroplane passengers not to eat nuts is unlikely to prevent an allergic reaction mid-flight - but cleaning their seat with a wet wipe could, allergy specialists say in a review of the latest evidence.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Poland have started work on a megaproject multi-mode hub with airport.
New Warsaw Airport in Wikipedia.
This should help reduce Co2 emissions ...
New Warsaw Airport in Wikipedia.
This should help reduce Co2 emissions ...
Joined: May 2024
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 965
Likes: 1,018
From: Near SOU
The village idiots are out and about yet again.....the darker side of social media use, over 100 bomb threats against Air India and other Indian airlines in the last week
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...-b2632609.html
One such flight was barred from entering Afghan airspace due to the threat and had to return to Delhi, another landed at LHR with RAF intervention.
It may be impossible to bring down an airliner though terror thesedays but that doesn't stop anyone with a cause/excuse causing havoc and fear with the unregulated use of social media.
Authorities have caught one person so far, a 17 year old in Mumbai.
(I remember the Air India 182 tragedy in 1985....don't need any repeat of that)
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...-b2632609.html
One such flight was barred from entering Afghan airspace due to the threat and had to return to Delhi, another landed at LHR with RAF intervention.
It may be impossible to bring down an airliner though terror thesedays but that doesn't stop anyone with a cause/excuse causing havoc and fear with the unregulated use of social media.
Authorities have caught one person so far, a 17 year old in Mumbai.
(I remember the Air India 182 tragedy in 1985....don't need any repeat of that)
Joined: Jan 2000
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 312
From: UK and Italy
If you're thinking of holidaying in Nuuk, it's one of the most expensive places in the world to visit. Everything is imported except fish, whale, and seafood. I was there in the 1990s putting in a telecoms system (it's still there) with a rigging team putting up microwave antennas along the west coast, and a few drinks with the riggers, who were Scots and fond of a wee drop, could quickly run far into three figures. Of Pounds, not Kroner. The natives are friendly though.
Joined: May 2024
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 965
Likes: 1,018
From: Near SOU
Saw in the media about a pilot who locked his 2iC out of the cockpit a short while back.
The explanation for that is probably very simple (and the oldest one in the book). Either they had an affair and she called time on it or he wanted an affair and she said no.
Somewhat kindergarten behaviour on the part of the pilot, whatever the reasoning behind it.
The explanation for that is probably very simple (and the oldest one in the book). Either they had an affair and she called time on it or he wanted an affair and she said no.
Somewhat kindergarten behaviour on the part of the pilot, whatever the reasoning behind it.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 147
Likes: 15
From: London
SriLankan captain locks copilot out of flight deck
Joined: May 2024
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 965
Likes: 1,018
From: Near SOU
Thread already running on that (Quite long and increasingly acrimonious)
SriLankan captain locks copilot out of flight deck
SriLankan captain locks copilot out of flight deck
But it would not be a surprise to me if the pilot tried it on and the female co-pilot got fed up of it and needed "air" away from him.....or they had an affair that he would not accept was over. Unfortunately women working in a largely male dominated industry are frequently a target of "wandering hand syndrome", lousy "pick up" lines or affairs by their male colleagues. An aircraft cockpit is unlikely to be immune from such behaviour, if anything a cockpit being so confined in space would potentially be an occupational hazard
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Cambodia joins the airport building fashion.
A YT programme about major building projects.
THIS AIRPORT could change the fate of an entire country… At least, that’s what the government, and the architects, are hoping for. It’s located on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia.Cambodia is a country full of natural beauty and rich culture, but it has been marred by civil wars, violence, and extreme poverty. Fortunately, that is all beginning to change. Cambodia is now the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia, and the third fastest in Asia overall. The nation’s capital has set its sights on becoming a major player in the region and it's all starting with this $1.2BN new airport.