La Gomera

[bar none]

La Gomera is a small Canarian island with a tiny airport served by Binter Canarias puddle jumpers only.
The airport is built on a side of a mountain with large drops at the side of, and each end of its 4900 ft by 95 ft runway.
According to the Cadogan Travel website they are going to serve La Gomera direct from LGW this winter using Astraeus 737 aircraft.
Any 737 drivers have any thoughts about having to fly there, for as slf it sure scares me

[Check 6]

The airport looks great, but the road to/from the airport scares me.

[fireflybob]

The airport is built on a side of a mountain with large drops at the side of, and each end of its 4900 ft by 95 ft runway

Sounds a bit like Funchal (Madeira) in the 1980s before they started lengthening the runway there!

[barit1]

satellite view

[BOAC]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...ra#post3376181

Edit to say it was La Palma - I was confused.......................

[BusyB]

Don't think the airport was suitable for charter aircraft until recently. Tourists flew to Tenerife and caught a ferry. Flights used to be ATR's inter island so I don't think there was a runway long enough when Danair were around.

[tubby linton]

I went to La Palma back in the early 90's in a 737.7000ft runway and Funchal like wind effects.The return flight used to stage via TFS on the way home.I am sure La Gomera will be very similar.

[bar none]

The point of my original post is the short but especially narrow runway which has very large drops on three sides. Is it a feasible operation

[Basil]

Beautiful little terminal in the traditional Spanish style.

[fireflybob]

The point of my original post is the short but especially narrow runway which has very large drops on three sides. Is it a feasible operation

Quite a few runways in the world have large drops at the side or ends! Not ideal but I cannot imagine that this would limit operations if the State had passed the airport as operational. Individual operators might impose a lower crosswind limit due to the width and other factors.

In short (sorry about the pun) so long as you obey the performance regulations and know what you are doing I cannot see any major problem. It would probably be a Cat C or even D airport and operators would have to be satisfied that their pilots are suitably checked out as happens at other airports.

Apparently it's a beautiful unspoilt island - lets hope it doesnt get invaded by too many tourists!

[bar none]

As implied by my first post, I thought that a B737 service to La Gomera was extremely suspect and operationally unfeasible.
Guess what, Astraeus have suddenly decided not to operate !

[Tight Slot]

Been there in a 757..... no worries.

[Captain Galactic]

La isla bonita by Madonna is about La Gomera. Betcha didnt know that!

[SEV]

Pilot who lands on La Gomera

Hi people!
I,m a pilot who fly shedule flights to La Gomera For Binter Canarias.Binter fly to La Gomera always with a Beechcraft 1900 C/D everyday, and almost never with atr because the runway itīs quite dangerous due to winds.The wind usually is quite turbulent and change of direction a lot.
Itīs a visual airport, not exist any instrumental procedure.Without doubt is the most dangerous airport and I am really secure that any jet aircraft will be able to land in La Gomera airport.
Cheerrs.

[JEM60]

Hi, Sev. Gee that was HOT at Fuerteventura yesterday. 32 degrees I believe. Had luvly week. What a great job you have!!!!!!!

[bar none]

Tight Slot

What was the airline and what was the occasion. This sounds like airshow material

[Newforest]

Glad you asked the question as it has been bugging me all day. A 757 into La Gomera airport (GMZ)? The runway is 4900 feet. The largest aircraft using it is an ATR.

[Tight Slot]

Hmmm maybe my mistake...ooppss!!! Might have been La Palma. I'll be checking the old log book when I get home....

Sorry guys!

[SEV]

Hi Folks:
In La Palma I saw A320 and B737-800 and in the Hierro too, but in La Gomera I think itīs impossible.
Hi Jem60 I,m feeling a privileged, yesterday I was in fuerteventura but at the morning, and today I will fly now to Fuerteventura.
Happy landings!

[SEV]

to point out in La Palma and El Hierro there is a NDB approach in La Gomera anything instrumental approach.In the rest of Canaries airports ILSīs approaches.
Thanks!