Runways, Aprons and Taxiways

[LBA4EVER]

You certainly know when your on the LBA runway, feels and sounds like train track haha

 

[Aviador]

You certainly know when your on the LBA runway, feels and sounds like train track haha

I think that is because it's concrete. Have you ever noticed how noisy concrete motorways are

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I think that is because it's concrete. Have you ever noticed how noisy concrete motorways are

Cant say Ive ever noticed at Leeds or any other airport with a concrete runway.

 

[White Heather]

I think that is because it's concrete. Have you ever noticed how noisy concrete motorways are

It's not only concrete, but grooved too and then there are the thousands of expansion joints between each block, which together make our runway somewhat noisier than your average smooth tarmac runway. Does the job though and allegedly concrete runways last longer. Ours is 60 this year but it's starting to show it's age.

I believe LBA now has the only concrete main runway in use in the UK at a civil airport?

 

[EX9]

So what would be the point of replacing the blocks with new ones now only to crush them in the near future?

The blocks need replacing to keep the runway serviceable in its current state. The change to asphalt will be done in stages to allow for a continued operation. Both have pros and cons, but the asphalt should be more resistant to the wet and cold that causes the current issues.

It's a fair few years since I had the privilege of viewing the runway up close but the last time I did I don't recall seeing any full replacement slabs. It was more a case of been a patchwork qwilt of smaller fixes.

There are many sections of fully replaced blocks along with umpteen Maxi Crete repairs of varying size.
The block replacements were carried out over each winter. A whole block/section needs several hours to dig up, replace and set before movements.

 

[Snackbar]

Shambles of an airport.

Seems you’re still enjoying that dose of salt down in Doncaster

I think it wasn't too long ago Newcastle was shut for something similar.

Edinburgh has also had numerous issues with their runway over the last few years…https://www.thenational.scot/news/24307968.edinburgh-airport-travel-chaos-due-issue-runway/

 

[Scottie Dog]

.....and Manchester as well. Although they have two runways Manchester did lose flights that day due to the reduction in movements on a single runway.
It can happen anywhere.

 

[quik123]

If you look at the current Google Maps aerial view you can see brown stain marks, most obvious near the centre of the runway and near Delta intersection. Caused by corrosion of the re-enforcement bars set in the concrete blocks. So not only does the concrete break up occasionally its also going rusty!

 

[BCFC]

Shambles of an airport.

However…it is an airport that is actually open and working unlike DSA which now will be full of cobwebs…C4 are rumoured to be doing a documentary on old derelict buildings with spooky goings on…..part 1 is DSA…part 2 is DSA and if you play your cards right you could apply for DSA part 3...

If you look at the current Google Maps aerial view you can see brown stain marks, most obvious near the centre of the runway and near Delta intersection. Caused by corrosion of the re-enforcement bars set in the concrete blocks. So not only does the concrete break up occasionally its also going rusty!

No…those brown marks are passenger sh*t stains from bad landings!

 

[White Heather]

If you look at the current Google Maps aerial view you can see brown stain marks, most obvious near the centre of the runway and near Delta intersection. Caused by corrosion of the re-enforcement bars set in the concrete blocks. So not only does the concrete break up occasionally its also going rusty!

I noticed the brown staining but wasn't sure what it was. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[twevsmiff]

Apparently we now have turning restrictions on runway 14 when landing. If the "Delta" turn off is missed aircraft now have to roll to the end of the runway and use the "turning D" before back tracking .
The Falcon OY-GZD was just told to go to the end of 14 before back tracking to Lima Taxiiway for Multiflight/East.

 

[White Heather]

Apparently we now have turning restrictions on runway 14 when landing. If the "Delta" turn off is missed aircraft now have to roll to the end of the runway and use the "turning D" before back tracking .
The Falcon OY-GZD was just told to go to the end of 14 before back tracking to Lima Taxiiway for Multiflight/East.

Potentially turning aircraft may have caused the runway damage that closed the airport a week last Friday. Or they are worried that turning in the repaired area may damage it further.

 

[BCFC]

I’m sitting watching Blue Sky Aviation on YouTube. So busy, planes having to wait for departing aircraft to push back and then jump onto the empty stand…I know it's a busy period now but how many new stands are going to be created and when? TIA.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I’m sitting watching Blue Sky Aviation on YouTube. So busy, planes having to wait for departing aircraft to push back and then jump onto the empty stand…I know it's a busy period now but how many new stands are going to be created and when? TIA.

Two new ones being created over the coming winter. Then more in the pipeline.

 

[White Heather]

Today is worse than usual due to the ongoing impact of the global IT failure yesterday, not helped by the late arrival and even later departure of the TUi from PMI. That took a stand up for a couple of hours when it should have been already half way to Majorca.

Incidentally today's TUi was G-TAWD. Nice to see they've washed the mud off it now after it's trip off the runway last year.

 

[BCFC]

Today is worse than usual due to the ongoing impact of the global IT failure yesterday, not helped by the late arrival and even later departure of the TUi from PMI. That took a stand up for a couple of hours when it should have been already halfway to Majorca.

Incidentally today's TUi was G-TAWD. Nice to see they've washed the mud off it's now after its trip into the mud last year.
At one point there were 3 aircraft just sitting there waiting and I mean waiting, I would have been P….. Off if I was sat on one of them.

I don't think we can get any busier and 2 extra stands aren't going to make a big difference if we get another decent airline with a few routes, yes I understand the knock-effect from yesterday but we are all dreaming of a BA LHR route, a Turkish one…more chance of a Turkey to be honest….talk of Easy and another routes, spending all that money and a couple of extra stands seems bonkers.

 

[White Heather]

I don't think we can get any busier and 2 extra stands aren't going to make a big difference if we get another decent airline with a few routes, yes I understand the knock-effect from yesterday but we are all dreaming of a BA LHR route, a Turkish one…more chance of a Turkey to be honest….talk of Easy and another routes, spending all that money and a couple of extra stands seems bonkers.

I agree. They could do with at least 4 more stands to cater for days like today when things go wrong and aircraft that should be long gone, are still here. The last few weeks have been fine (I've watched Blue Sky Live the last 3 Saturdays) but it doesn't take much to tip the balance. . The airports is scraping by at best at peak times . No doubt though it's a question of available funding for the construction of more stands bearing in mind the cost of the terminal work, runway repairs and new scanner equipment. Maybe they don't have the funds to build more this winter.

 

[Finger66]

However much we could do with more, 2 is better than none. Do tend to agree that funds may be an overriding factor here. At least there are "concrete" plans for the two

 

[LBAYORKIE]

However much we could do with more, 2 is better than none. Do tend to agree that funds may be an overriding factor here. At least there are "concrete" plans for the two

I cant imagine its a financial constraint. The airport did say they would build new stands as they became necessary, there was no caveat in respect of funding.

 

[White Heather]

I cant imagine its a financial constraint. The airport did say they would build new stands as they became necessary, there was no caveat in respect of funding.

They have borrowed the money to build the terminal, so clearly they don't have a bottomless pit of money to spend on infrastructure. They have to be self sufficient. That means that they are not going to be able to commit to multiple high cost projects at the same time without taking a huge commercial risk .

They are already funding the runway works, a necessary evil, they've just installed multi million pound scanners, and then there's the general running costs for the airport which are huge. And the costs associated with funding the terminal. So much as we would all like them to just build all the extra 10 stands asap, it's unlikely to happen just to cope with the occasional traffic jams on summer weekends. They have always said they will build them as needed, and clearly they think they currently need two more.

I've seen aircraft waiting to go on stand near the terminal whilst there were empty stands on more remote areas of the apron up the Eastern end. We've been told that aircraft dont use these because of the need to use bus transfers to the terminal, and there aren't enough buses at peak times to.serve all the stands. Frankly, that's nuts. So perhaps the immediate solution is two more stands and several more buses.with drivers to drive them?

Maybe there will be less need for bus transfers when the extension opens and the entrance to border force is more central, and maybe there'll be enough buses then to serve the remote stands so they can be used by aircraft.

I cannot see the airport going into further debt to build even more stands now unless they have an absolute commitment from an airline that makes it necessary right now, and not just for Saturday afternoons in peak summer when scheduling goes wrong. Plans can change though so we will just have to hope that on this issue, they do, even if it's just two becoming three - or maybe four.