Flybe

[The Pole]

Still doesn't make sense.
Only plausible reason is interference to ILS
I will ask my contact in atc to see if they were on shift today at the time it was on approach.

 

[Coathanger16]

Looking at the track on flight radar, to me it looks very much like a non-precision approach (VOR or NDB) with a visual re-alignment with the runway in the final stages of the approach.

Some airports have the "beacon" at the end of the runway, or off airport on the extended centreline (EMA has one 5 miles from the end of each runway), in which case the track of the approach will be no different to an ILS.

As @oldendays highlights, if the beacon is north of the runway, the aircraft will initially track toward the beacon at an offset angle to the runway. They will continue this until a "decision height" - the latest point at which the pilots must have visual contact with the runway to continue, otherwise they go around. At this point, if the pilots are visual, they will reposition the aircraft to line up with the runway.

Depending on how offset the NDB approach is at LBA, it may have required quite a large turn towards the North to line up with the runway.

If the ILS was available, it may have been the pilots requested an NDB for training purposes.

 

[oldendays]

Thankyou Coathanger, most comprehensive.

 

[twevsmiff]

Once again this morning G-JECX(Jersey 752) is requesting an NDB/DME approach to runway 32

 

[The Pole]

Saw it

 

[The Pole]

Does the aircraft have an issue with their equipment

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Does the aircraft have an issue with their equipment

I would say not. As mentioned before prob just training.

 

[lbaspotter]

At long last the airport are now actively advertising the Flybe LBA-LHR route on its website

London / Heathrow, United Kingdom | Destination Guide | Leeds Bradford Airport | Leeds Bradford Airport

Our guide to London, UK a city break for culture and entertainment from Leeds Bradford Airport. Start your flight search and see when you could fly.

www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk

 

[LBAYORKIE]

This could boost passengers on LHR service:
BBC News - Rail unions vow to fight government strike threat

Rail unions vow to fight government strike threat

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claims a new law would protect shipments from disruption.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Finger66]

I remember British midland as they were in the day putting on extra LBA LHR rotations during times of rail strikes. Probably not enough free LHR slots these days for that

 

[oldendays]

I remember British midland as they were in the day putting on extra LBA LHR rotations during times of rail strikes. Probably not enough free LHR slots these days for that

They scheduled a 737-400 for all flights between LBA and LHR at one time. Smart move.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I remember British midland as they were in the day putting on extra LBA LHR rotations during times of rail strikes. Probably not enough free LHR slots these days for that

In the late seventies they drafted in an F27-100 for this purpose.

 

[White Heather]

In the late seventies they drafted in an F27-100 for this purpose.

Later, one year, they used the F27 on weekends. I have a photo of one (sister in board) lined up at the end of runway 14 awaiting departure one Saturday. Mid 80s I think, possibly later.

 

[oldendays]

In the late seventies they drafted in an F27-100 for this purpose.

BMA didn't start LBA to LHR until April 1980 and it was a few years later when they acquired some F27s, all -200s. Air Anglia, then Air UK, had a single -100. Is that the one you're thinking if ? It was originally G-SPUD then BLFJ.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

You may well be right about the timings. I always assume that if I saw an aircraft airside I was working at the airport, but after I left I used to go back airside regularly (no one challenged me!) I left in approx 1980.

I was sure they had a 100 series for a time, painted in BMA livery but its a long time ago.

Definitely remember G SPUD which was as you say a 100 series aircraft.

 

[Finger66]

I think G -STAN may have started life as a 100 and had a conversion to 200. Not sure if thats an aging memory playing tricks though

 

[dakota eng]

G-STAN was a 100 and we converted it to a 200 at NWI when I was with Air Anglia . There was so much hassle in the conversion that they decided not to carry on and do G-SPUD.

 

[ls27]

Not a Golden Wonder conversion then?

 

[LBAYORKIE]

According to LBA departures the BE757 to Heathrow is running at least 3 hours late. That means return won't be back here until 01:15 (scheduled 22:15) I wonder if they will be caught in the curfew at LHR. I assume crew will have sufficient hours otherwise they would have kept the plane at Leeds.

As a footnote, I see the BE756 (the earlier LHR-LBA was cancelled)

 

[The Pole]

It states cancelled on airport arrivals on flight radar