Birmingham: General Airport Discussion & Updates

[JENNYJET]

REF: Cargo services ex EMA.

Would it be more likely that traffic shall use STN given that they have the facilities that BHX lack I.e space, warehousing, manpower, computer infrastructures to facilitate a thriving cargo operation? We only appear to handle one weeknight FedEx service and Ad Hoc Antonovs dropping by for what only know's?

 

[thunderchild]

The only aircraft type that I know to be incompatible with BHX, is the A340-600.

I believe the same applies for the 747-8? Not that we'd be likely to see one here anyway.

 

[JENNYJET]

I believe the same applies for the 747-8? Not that we'd be likely to see one here anyway.

Is this a bit of a boobie by the planners when the extension was presented to the relevant committee?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Kevin Sire, can you recall what A340 model SAA used when it diverted into BHX recently?

It was an A340-300.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The A346 restrictions are on the taxiway curves, as said the long wheelbase makes life difficult. 'Fillets' are being added to soften out the curves, not really for the A346 which is slowly disappearing but more for the next generation of 777, which may be longer than the current 77W.

As this work is carried out during the November runway night closures it will take a few years to be fully completed.

 

[User001]

During the EMA closures, UPS and some star Air will use BHX and STN, DHL will run through MAN according to the ACL report.

 

[CL44]

The last I heard is that we will see UPS over the winter, whilst EMA is closed and that DHL also wanted to operate from Birmingham but there just isn't the room. I don't know if that has now changed?

Whilst you are here I wonder if you have heard any rumours about a possible new freighter service starting, possibly in the not too distant future?

I haven't heard of a new freighter service as yet, but I would love to know if this is true. Fingers crossed it is.

 

[IanFarquharson]

UPS to BHX
DHL to DSA

 

[User001]

Many DHL flights will be operating from Manchester too. Staff are being temporarily located and slots applied for. Up to 3 B757 and 2 B767 per night according to the requests.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

A340 is my favourite aircraft since the demise of DC-10‘s. I like them because of the resemblance to the B707 albeit much larger.

Hi Jennyjet

Yes, I like the A340 also. For pretty much the same reason as yourself. I especially like the series 500 and 600, with the larger engines. I just think they look so - purposeful!
I've never been fortunate enough to fly on one, the nearest being an A330 (BHX-DXB-BHX). We were sat towards the rear, where the floor is on a slight slope. This allowed a view over the seats in front, akin to sitting in a cinema and gave a wonderful sensation of space. I loved it.

Regards

Kevin

 

[JENNYJET]

Thank you Kevin, my A340 flights were LHR-CMB-LHR with one divert to FRANKFURT MAIN where the USAF had their facility to offload a suspect American citizen!!

The -300 was just the right proportions with neat engines powerful enough to lift the aircraft although SriLankan Airlines used up the maximum runway distance just to gain lift. They were full to the gunnels with people, bags and fuel for the 12 hour nonstop flights.

Very smooth and comfortable in the cabin although the earlier Air Lanka fleet of A340 had no functioning ICE and the seat recliner was frequently stuck or just broken.

I doubt very much if I shall ever board a 4 engined bird again and lament those boring twin jets.

 

[juliet-fox-9]

I doubt very much if I shall ever board a 4 engined bird again and lament those boring twin jets.

There's always the Emirates A380 🙂

 

[TheLocalYokel]

ARJ85?

Who was it when asked why he always chose to fly the Atlantic in four-engined aircraft reputedly replied, "Because no-one has yet produced a five-engined airliner"?

 

[Ray Finkle]

although SriLankan Airlines used up the maximum runway distance just to gain lift.

I've flown on the 300 and 500 series A340 and the take off roll on both seemed lengthy to say the least. Great flights though 👍

 

[JENNYJET]

There's always the Emirates A380 🙂

.....and a nice winning lottery ticket!!

 

[JENNYJET]

ARJ85?

Who was it when asked why he always chose to fly the Atlantic in four-engined aircraft reputedly replied, "Because no-one has yet produced a five-engined airliner"?

I wouldn't mind a trip on the AN225 😗

 

[JENNYJET]

I guess another quiet jet, the Fokkers were the last of the wonderful aircraft without wings labouring with heavy engines and spoiling clean airflow, and the T tail.

BAC 1-11, Trident, Vickers VC-10, DC-9 ( MD 80 /90 a stupid designation in my opinion ) , Fokker Jets, the T tail fleet almost consigned to history.

The Bae 146 and it will soon disappear or go the way of the RAF for VIP service and the Illyushin IL76/IL78 shall be all that remain but pleasing that they are 4 engine types!!

Oh hum, aircraft spotting is losing it's shine because everything looks the same. No variation, no noise, when I was younger, my little brother and I went to Elmdon to see the BAC 1-11, the occasional B727 or if lucky, a Trident. We loved the Viscount and the Bae 148 because of the scream of the engines during starting up with the compressor truck. And in summer the delightful thrill of WARDAIR DC-10 dwarfing the terminal building, as it was massive compared to the facility servicing the beast. The BMA DC-9 looked very sorry for itself next to it.

Thinking more of it, the Antonovs parking at Elmdon with regularly seems to be a new diverting interest. Old Soviet aircraft doing something I know not what, and the Private jets and Monarch Engineering breaks what appears to be a growing monotony with the passenger terminal.

Am I so wrong or just waffling again?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Most aviation enthusiasts think like you, I guess. Most other people just see an aeroplane with wings that takes them on holiday, to visit friends/relatives or on business. Unless it's a 'propeller aeroplane' which some people don't seem to like and can recognise, most aircraft appear the same to them.

I do empathise with your sentiments entirely though.

 

[Jerry]

I guess another quiet jet, the Fokkers were the last of the wonderful aircraft without wings labouring with heavy engines and spoiling clean airflow, and the T tail.

BAC 1-11, Trident, Vickers VC-10, DC-9 ( MD 80 /90 a stupid designation in my opinion ) , Fokker Jets, the T tail fleet almost consigned to history.

The Bae 146 and it will soon disappear or go the way of the RAF for VIP service and the Illyushin IL76/IL78 shall be all that remain but pleasing that they are 4 engine types!!

Oh hum, aircraft spotting is losing it's shine because everything looks the same. No variation, no noise, when I was younger, my little brother and I went to Elmdon to see the BAC 1-11, the occasional B727 or if lucky, a Trident. We loved the Viscount and the Bae 148 because of the scream of the engines during starting up with the compressor truck. And in summer the delightful thrill of WARDAIR DC-10 dwarfing the terminal building, as it was massive compared to the facility servicing the beast. The BMA DC-9 looked very sorry for itself next to it.

Thinking more of it, the Antonovs parking at Elmdon with regularly seems to be a new diverting interest. Old Soviet aircraft doing something I know not what, and the Private jets and Monarch Engineering breaks what appears to be a growing monotony with the passenger terminal.

Am I so wrong or just waffling again?

I struggle to tell the difference between an Airbus or Boeing most of the time unless its A340 747 757 or A380! But i do instantly recognise a Fokker 70!

 

[juliet-fox-9]

Jenny – there are plenty of new T-tail aircraft around. The Q400 and ATR-42/72 are turboprop examples (do turboprops not count though?) while the most popular jet example is the Bombardier CRJ700/900.

The best place to go to see T-tail aircraft is without doubt the USA. American, Delta and United have huge fleets of regional jets.