Upgraded runway for Canberra airport

[oz_mark]

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,18286468-5001022,00.html

MORE jumbo jets and heavy military aircraft will be able to fly direct to the national capital under new plans to strengthen Canberra Airport's main runway.

Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss today announced a $28.5 million grant for the project.

"The strengthening of the pavement surface will ensure heavy VIP aircraft can land safely, guaranteeing that visiting foreign dignitaries and their entourages are able to fly directly into the national capital," Mr Truss said.

To date, Canberra Airport has only been able to accommodate two 747 jumbo jets a year and medium sized aircraft, such as Dash 8, 737s, 727-400, 737-400 and Dash 8 Q-400, operated by Qantas and Jetstar.

 

[swissbignose]

Looks like the work experience kids are writing copy at the Tele again.

 

[dajop]

yeah every time I go there always take the chance to peek at all those 727-400's that QF & JQ operate.

As an aside also heard a rumuor today that someone is looking at WLG-CBR flights, but that may have just been wishful thinking on behalf of the person I was talking to. But would make sense.

 

[Skyring]

Someone's telling porkies, I reckon. When Bill Clinton flew in a few years back, he brought in two 747s and a couple of widebodies (including a Tristar, IIRC) for the press corps, plus some Galaxies for all his kit. They had to park the extras in the general aviation section.

Interesting to see that Jim Snow has snaffled some more federal funding for his ambitious expansion schemes. Last time I drove past he was putting up another couple of office blocks and a shopping centre.

 

[ric_melb]

How could it be that only two 747 flights a year can land?
Surely none could land or as many as required could land?

And I see so many flights to Hawaii and South East Asia in the next decade, will be a huge demand for this from a city the size of Canberra. :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[Skyring]

The "two 747's a year" thing is politics, because everyone here knows that GWB brought in two on his last visit, but the Queen wasn't allowed to fly a BA jumbo in. Shows who has more pull in Oz.

We're unlikely to see too many international services here. They tried direct flights to Fiji two winters back and only about half a dozen people went, I think.

More likely is that Canberra can serve as an alternate to Sydney if for some reason flights need to be diverted.

 

[oz_mark]

Upgrade to pave way for more 747 flights

There was a report on ABC as well about this. I think the bit about APEC gives a clue as to the real reasons behind this.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1579166.htm

The Canberra International Airport will soon be open to frequent 747 flights with the Federal Government announcing a multi-million dollar upgrade of its main runway.

The airport has a limit on the number of large flights it can accommodate because of the strength of its main runway.

Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss says the Government will spend $28 million to enable the runway to take heavier aircraft.

"There will be quite a number of these aircraft coming into Australia, they're required here for operational purposes, with visiting dignitaries and their entourages or for military purposes," he said.

The airport's Stephen Byron says the upgrade also coincides with a plan to lengthen the runway.

"We believe that will assist us in terms of the development of new routes into and out of Canberra," he said.

The work will be carried out at night and is expected to be ready in time for the 2007 APEC meeting.

 

[straitman]

How could it be that only two 747 flights a year can land?
Surely none could land or as many as required could land?

And I see so many flights to Hawaii and South East Asia in the next decade, will be a huge demand for this from a city the size of Canberra. :roll: :roll: :roll:

This is all to do with "Pavement Concessions" where as a certain number of overweight movements per annum are allowed beyond an airfields normal limits. These are calculated in accordance with the individual a/c weight and potential damage to the tarmac and/or runways. Similar to the introduction of B Double trucks who were limited (at introduction) to their number of trips on certain roads.

8) 8) 8)

 

[Skyring]

The Canberra Times is reporting that GWB's visit in 2004 resulted in 32 "heavy movements" and consequently the tarmac has to be rested for 10-15 years.

They are going to fix the thing up by applying layers of new surface between ten at night and six in the morning.

I'm a month ahead of embargo on this, but the intersection of the two runways at Canberra Airport will also be upgraded to include a roundabout.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

As an aside also heard a rumuor today that someone is looking at WLG-CBR flights, but that may have just been wishful thinking on behalf of the person I was talking to. But would make sense.

Sounds wishful thinking to me, although surprisingly I did hear a year or so ago that NZ was looking at AKL-CBR. Nothing came of it.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

The Canberra Times is reporting that GWB's visit in 2004 resulted in 32 "heavy movements" and consequently the tarmac has to be rested for 10-15 years.

They are going to fix the thing up by applying layers of new surface between ten at night and six in the morning.

I'm a month ahead of embargo on this, but the intersection of the two runways at Canberra Airport will also be upgraded to include a roundabout.

Being CBR I thought they would have used all day between December and February to do runway work.

Will the new terminal be built inside the roundabout?

 

[serfty]

... Being CBR I thought they would have used all day between December and February to do runway work. ...

Will the new terminal be built inside the roundabout?

Which one? There a quite a few in Canberra, some are almost large enough to accomodate a runway or two.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

... Being CBR I thought they would have used all day between December and February to do runway work. ...

Will the new terminal be built inside the roundabout?

Which one? There a quite a few in Canberra, some are almost large enough to accomodate a runway or two.

I know, but I was referring to skyring's suggestion that runway will include a roundabout. Will traffic lights be installed at the taxiway exits? Are windowashers going to need a ladder to properly clean the windows? Will they chuck some grass on the roof of the terminal?

 

[serfty]

... Being CBR I thought they would have used all day between December and February to do runway work. ...

Will the new terminal be built inside the roundabout?

Which one? There a quite a few in Canberra, some are almost large enough to accomodate a runway or two.

I know, but I was referring to skyring's suggestion that runway will include a roundabout. Will traffic lights be installed at the taxiway exits? Are windowashers going to need a ladder to properly clean the windows? Will they chuck some grass on the roof of the terminal?

I saw the humor as well and was posting in kind.... :?

Maybe I was just too suttell

 

[dajop]

The question really should be will there be enough curvature on the runway at CBR that means by the time a plane pulls up it will be back at the same point it started from when its' wheels first touched the ground? And will there be a row of flagpoles alongside the runway and bikepath around it as an alternative means of transport?