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Post by maverick on May 8, 2016 8:20:44 GMT 1
Surprised nobody has already flagged it up but the runway 09/27 (10/28) turned 50 yesterday. It was opened 7 may 1966 by hrh duke of Edinburgh. Both still going strong! At time of opening it was one of the most technologically advanced runways anywhere.
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Post by highfly on May 8, 2016 11:54:37 GMT 1
I wonder what it will be like in 50 years from now? Are there still plans to lengthen the runway? The original master plan had it done by 2015, but obviously economic conditions didn't allow.
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Post by tonyspeke on May 8, 2016 12:35:30 GMT 1
It is a pity it was not built longer in the first place. Had it been, Liverpool Airport would be a larger airport today.
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Post by ronturner on May 8, 2016 15:19:52 GMT 1
Thanks for the reminder. I was there at the ceremony. RT
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Post by cambrian5619 on May 8, 2016 16:21:29 GMT 1
Thanks for the reminder. I was there at the ceremony. RT According to the Friends of Liverpool Airport (FoLA) website they will have a feature on the opening ceremony of the runway and a number of photographs taken on the day in the next edition of their 09/27 magazine due out later this month.
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Post by maverick on May 8, 2016 19:11:06 GMT 1
It is a pity it was not built longer in the first place. Had it been, Liverpool Airport would be a larger airport today. Originally it was planned for 7000ft but increased to 7500ft late on in the design phase hence the need for a lighting gantry at the 09 end.
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Post by maverick on May 8, 2016 19:16:51 GMT 1
I wonder what it will be like in 50 years from now? Are there still plans to lengthen the runway? The original master plan had it done by 2015, but obviously economic conditions didn't allow. Don't think so. The need has been reduced of late by the huge improvement in aero engines and tech with aircraft like the B787 which could easily reach East coast USA from our runway length.
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Post by tonyspeke on May 8, 2016 20:38:51 GMT 1
The plan for a starter strip was so high weight freight aircraft could operate. There seems to be no demand for this at the moment. Modern aircraft can operate off the current runway, but a slightly longer runway would allow higher weights, that would make such flights economic.
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2016 21:15:39 GMT 1
I wonder what it will be like in 50 years from now? Are there still plans to lengthen the runway? The original master plan had it done by 2015, but obviously economic conditions didn't allow. Don't think so. The need has been reduced of late by the huge improvement in aero engines and tech with aircraft like the B787 which could easily reach East coast USA from our runway length. Would that be the latest engines then? If not, why did Virgin stop crew training here even though they were unlaiden at that time.?
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Post by kuga59 on May 8, 2016 21:23:40 GMT 1
The previous master plan called for an international airfreight terminal. If you look at the likes of Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted these movements appear to be increasing over the past years. Airlines flying these services rarely use up to date aircraft, usually ex passenger planes converted to freight after fulfilling a useful life. If the terminal is still in the plan for the future then a runway extension will still be needed at least for the next 10/15 years until today's modern planes get old and right for conversion.
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Post by viscount on May 8, 2016 23:05:11 GMT 1
To address the final point in "Ste-t's" post:
Virgin was the first UK operator of the larger Boeing 787, they were at that time undertaking an intensive programme of crew training/type familiarisation, while at the same time showing the CAA that the operations manual was fit for purpose. One of the requirements of the CAA is to 'route prove' into airports not routinely used by the Airline - at the same time it would be rather embarrassing if a crew still unfamiliar with type put it through the fence with a late touch-down. Therefore after several days, (and likely with the 'route proving' element satisfied), the Chief Training Pilot decided it would be prudent to restrict training to just longer runways with a little more safety factor! With crews now familiar and experienced on type, operational use of Liverpool's 09/27 should be no problem - I'm secretly rather hoping that the Basle air-lift might just see our first charter flight using the type, that remains to be seen though!
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 17:18:33 GMT 1
Thanks for the excellent explanation Brian. Personally, I was hoping for the first touchdown of the A380 during the airlift. Typical me, aiming for the top of the tree again. A long shot I know, but would certainly settle for landing amongst the branches with a 787.
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Post by Beemer on May 10, 2016 8:02:42 GMT 1
And don't forget Ste-t, on the 12th of July 2008 we were within feet of being the first UK airport to receive an A380 aircraft when F-WWDD c/n 4 did a go-around on runway 27 @ 13:30hrs. Regards Beemer.
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 6:19:00 GMT 1
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Post by optimum1878 on May 11, 2016 9:37:35 GMT 1
If I am not mistaken it went over to the wirral show which was on at the time.
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