737s on dirt runways

[pat25d]

Looking at the VA source, VA has been doing a few charters to Boolgeeda airport (Boolgeeda @ OurAirports) using their 738s.

I have never seen a 738 land on dirt/gravel... is this something done regularly?

 

[AVC]

Unusual choice of aircraft to use on unpaved runways. The 738s engine are way close to the ground, even to the point where the engine nacelles are a bit flattened on the bottom to allow for clearance.

Most aircraft that are regularly used on unpaved strips have high mount wings (although our King Airs don't, and they land them on dirt all the time).

But I guess they have a different maintenance schedules for those type of operations, much the same as your car does, if you are using it off-road or fording water.

Still, the thought of the fan hoovering FOD off the ground is a worry.

 

[MadFairlane]

I noticed on VA source that VH-VUG went off for maintence 3 days after doing one lot of charters...

Coincidence?

i wouldn't have thought so since other aircraft are doing the charters as well...

 

[oz_mark]

Don't know what they do on the 738s, but in the past various jets have had optional gravel kits fitted. Cobham have some such modified 146 aircraft flying around.

 

[medhead]

I also know of one private jet that is fitting with a gravel kit as well in South Oz for operations around the state.

 

[harvyk]

I thought gravel kits where limited to 731's / 732's? I thought the classic / next gen's engines where all too low to the ground for gravel kits...

 

[lovestotravel]

I thought gravel kits where limited to 731's / 732's? I thought the classic / next gen's engines where all too low to the ground for gravel kits...

That's what I thought as well

 

[markis10]

737s and other aircraft can land on gravel at times so long as they have extra maintenance checks , a gravel kit is often used for aircraft dedicated to such operations.

737 Landing in Ugnu-Kuparuk, Alaska - YouTube

 

[tuppaware]

Interesting link about the 731/732 gravel kits here.
Unpaved Strip Kit

 

[defurax]

737s and other aircraft can land on gravel at times so long as they have extra maintenance checks , a gravel kit is often used for aircraft dedicated to such operations.

737 Landing in Ugnu-Kuparuk, Alaska - YouTube

I wonder if insurance contract for aircrafts are similar to Car hire companies: " This policy is void if the vehicle is used outside paved/sealed road"

 

[Boris spatsky]

Enroute Supp Australia shows the runway as rated to a PCN of 8/F/B (asphalt). So it doesn't look like it is gravel after all.

 

[Ewing]

Enroute Supp Australia shows the runway as rated to a PCN of 8/F/B (asphalt). So it doesn't look like it is gravel after all.

It looks like it was upgraded last year:
http://www.nrw.com.au/Fact Sheets/Civil/PFS-066 Boolgeeda Airstrip.pdf

Together with our Indigenous joint venture partner,
Eastern Guruma, the works include over 300,000 cubic
metres of fill to construct a 2.2 kilometre by 45 metre
wide bitumen sealed runway, complete with a new
taxiway and apron as well as a new access road and
carpark.

 

[Poisson]

That Google map image is out of date. Boolgeeda is now a sealed strip Design & contract management by GHD, construction by NRW.

 

[dejium]

Boolgeeda is now indeed a sealed strip, upgraded last year and opened late November. Designed to handle three 737-800s or A320-200s at a time. The upgrade means no more 2.5 hour turbo prop flights from PER, no more 2 hour bus journeys to PBO and an end to very early and late commute flights.

 

[straitman]

0850 utc 12/01/13 airservices australia
location briefing


prepared for: Iphonenaips
valid from 0850 utc jan 12, 2013 to 0850 utc jan 13, 2013

weather information
-------------------

notam information
-----------------

boolgeeda (ybgd)
c11/12
boolgeeda ad has undergone an extensive upgrade
current enr sup australia (ersa) is out of date
refer to avfax codes 81002 and 81003 for updated information
from 11 202220 to perm

c24/12 review c14/12
papi rwy 08/26 commissioned
meht 49ft approach angle 3 deg
from 12 141047 to perm

c25/12
ad lgt commissioned
lgt rwy 08/26 cmsd
lgt twy cmsd
pal (freq 126.7) cmsd
ad avbl hn
from 12 141115 to perm