Isles of Scilly sea ferry and air services - merged posts

[whole diary]

[John R]

I have read elsewhere that two of them are stored at Newquay, pending decisions.

Bizarre things happen in aviation. When I first started learning to fly at Filton, in 2005, there was a Boeing 747 with 3 engines, and weights hanging from the mounting for the fourth, parked on the jet apron. I know it had been there a while, as I had seen it en passant. I think the livery said Southern Winds. After a few lessons, I asked my instructor how long it takes to change an engine on a jumbo - the true answer, I now know, is around 5 hours. "Oh no", he said. "The engine's been taken off to stop someone shinning over the fence in the dead of night, starting up, and buggering off." The airline had gone bust, and debt attaches to the aircraft. So anyone buying it would have to settle up before taking it away. He reckoned it would end up being dismantled on site. But one day, almost a year later, I arrived for my weekly flight, and it was gone. Someone had paid a bill, the maintenance guy stuck the engine back on, the pilot filed a flight plan for Shannon, and away it went. Amazing these things can happen, but they can and do.

From Wikipedia:  By 2004, Southern Winds was a leading commercial carrier in the troubled Argentine aviation industry. That September, however, airport police in Madrid discovered 60 kilograms (130 lb) of cocaine packed in four unaccompanied suitcases aboard an arriving Southern Winds flight. The resulting scandal cost the airline its government subsidy, and ultimately resulted in the carrier's collapse. The last Southern Winds flight operated on December 5, 2005, although proposals for the airline's revival continued to surface in 2006.

[TonyK]

So there you have it children - proof that drugs do ruin airlines.

I have traced the aircraft's history from its construction in 1982. It flew first for Cathay Pacific, then between 1998 and 2001 for Virgin Atlantic. It was then seconded to Air Atlanta Icelandic, prior to a return to Virgin and a trip to Mojave for storage, in 2002. It was recommissioned and bought by European Aircharters in late 2003. They leased it to Garuda for 2 months in 2004, for Hajj flights to Mecca. After that, Southern Winds had their fun with it. It flew into Filton on 2 February 2005, for de-virginisation (yes, you can do that with a plane too) and transformation into Southern Winds colours by the then thriving Air Livery paint shop at Filton - picture link here.. This was after the pharmaceutical catastrophe alluded to by John R. The process normally takes less than 2 weeks for a 747. The airline collapsed whilst it was there, and it stood gathering dust and parking fees until 29 April 2006. It has the dubious distinction of wearing the livery of an airline for over 14 months, but never having made a flight for that company. Outdoor parking fees for a 747 at Filton, BTW^▸ (by the way), were not much more than those levied at Heathrow to park a car.

After its long period at Filton, it went to work for Transeuro under a Bermudan registration VP-BPX, based in Russia. The trail grows cold - some sources say it is now stored in Melbourne, others suggest that it was broken up at Kemble.

What I think I may have realised from my research is that few aircraft are owned by airlines - a situation not unlike Train Operating Companies leasing from the Big Three, only this is multinational. Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer et al may announce orders from airlines, but the aircraft are sold to shadowy leasing companies, the names of none of whom are well known.

Who knows? If there is a runway extension project in the Scillies similar to that at Funchal, Madeira, we may yet see this particular 747 on finals to land in the Scillies. Probably preceded by a number of pigs, in formation.

Sorry - what were we talking about?

[LiskeardRich]

Drove past Penzance heliport today, all demolished, and they have raised up the ground by around 2 foot.

[LiskeardRich]

Lands end is to have 2 of its 4 run ways tarmacked by the end of the year.

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Resurfacing-work-place-Land-s-End-Airport/story-19672871-detail/story.html#axzz2c7jg1mzj

Much-needed resurfacing work will take place on two of the four grass runways at Land^s End Airport following reports of a landmark rise in pre-tax profits.

The runways at the airport, which provide an air link to the Isles of Scilly, were often closed in winter after they became waterlogged during bouts of poor weather.

Operator, The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, reported strong financial results after a year of record investment, which included a ^2million upgrade of its Scillonian passenger ship and a ^1million upgrade of its Land^s End terminal.

Andrew May, chairman of the company, said he expected work, which would see the runways covered with tar macadam, to take place at the end of the calendar year.

He said: "Our strong cash position means we will continue to invest in strengthening the route, including plans to resurface two of the four grass runways at Land's End Airport this calendar year.

Local Radio has reported that their profits for the last year were at a record high, despite the 3 million they have invested in upgrades last year.

[TonyK]

Lands end is to have 2 of its 4 run ways tarmacked by the end of the year.

I am confused after reading the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) online report, which is at variance with the This is Cornwall report.

New hard runway for Land's End airport
 
Land's End flights were affected by a waterlogged runway during the winter

Major improvements have been announced for two airports in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly after bad weather caused chaos last winter.

A hard runway will be built at Land's End airport and St Mary's airport on the Isles of Scilly will also be updated.

Nearly ^7m of European funding has been earmarked for the work.

Land's End airport was closed to flights for three months last winter after it was waterlogged.

About 800 metres of hard surface, replacing the current grass landing strip, will be laid over three weekends in September.

Diana Mompoloki, the development manager for the Council of the Isles of Scilly, was "very confident that everything would be ready for the autumn".

The Policy and Resources Committee on the Isles of Scilly heard on Tuesday night that ^6.7m had been endorsed by the European Development Fund.
Wet winter victim

The majority of the cash will be spent on St Mary's airport but around ^1.2m will go towards work at Land's End.

It is half the estimated cost of hardening the runway so the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, which owns the airport, will fund the difference.

The grass runway at Land's End was a victim of the wet winter with 521 hours of flying lost, according to the Steamship Company.

It is the sole provider of commercial flights to the islands, which have a population of 2,200.

On St Mary's more than ^2m will be spent on new hard runways to replace the grass ones, and bringing the present hard runways up to date.

About ^100,000 will go on updating navigational aids and lighting so that aircraft can land in foggier weather .

More than ^2m will be spent on improving the terminal building.

The TiC report mentions two runways being surfaced, but the BBC says a total of 800 metres of tarmac. A quick butcher's at the AIP shows that there are two main runways at Lands End. 07/25 is 695 metres long, 16/34 is 792 metres. If 800 metres in total is being done, that would suggest that only 16/34 is being done. 07/25 is more in line with the prevailing westerly winds, so maybe it is that runway that is being dealt with, with an extension. It would not be a good idea to part-tarmac a runway. They do exist, most notably 09/27 at St Marys, but the grass part would still be prone to waterlogging, so the object of the exercise would be defeated. It could be that the grass bit of St Marys is being done, plus 07/25 at Lands End. Twin Otters are very robust, but I wouldn't like to try a crosswind landing in some of Cornwall's winters. The shorter runway length would be more than compensated for by the better orientation.

I will look for details on the planning site - none exists so far, so it could be that an application has not been made yet.

[LiskeardRich]

The This is Cornwall news where the part stating 2 runways will be tarmacked is a quote from the chairman of IOS steamship company, whereas no source or interview mentioned within the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) article.

I am assuming the chairman would be providing accurate information to an interview

edit - I Re-read the BBC article and it says 800m will be done in September, the TIC^▸ (Tourist Information Centre) article says the 2 runways will be done before the end of the year. We're not comparing like for like.

[TonyK]

Ah, makes sense!

[JayMac]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) (03/09/2013):

The government has confirmed ^8m funding to improve the ferry link between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland.

The European Regional Development Fund is expected to provide the rest of the money for the ^10m scheme.

It could result in dredging of the channel at Penzance to take a bigger ferry.

Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) for St Ives, said it was an opportunity to regenerate Penzance and St Mary's.

'Better conditions'

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker, said: "We are putting at least ^8m into this scheme which shows that the coalition government is serious about protecting the livelihood of the Isles of Scilly.

"Improved terminal buildings will provide better conditions for passengers.

"Changes to the harbours themselves will ensure new vessels can still access the port protecting this route for use by residents, freight and holiday makers."

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company (ISSC) which also operates flights to St Mary's from Land's End, has invested ^2m into upgrading facilities on board the passenger ferry Scillonian III, which sails to St Mary's from Penzance.

[LiskeardRich]

It could result in dredging of the channel at Penzance to take a bigger ferry

This bit stood out to me, as the harbour at St Mary's is the problem with no depth of water. Penzance is deeper than St Marys

[JayMac]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Land's End Airport reopens after runway work

An airport has reopened after a multi-million pound project to improve its runways.

Tarmac has been laid on four runways at Land's End Airport, in Cornwall, which has been closed since 4 July.

It was due to reopen on 21 July but was delayed because of resurfacing problems.

The airport has seen severe disruption over the last two winters because wet weather affected its grass runways.

It was closed to flights for three months in the winter of 2012/13 when the airfield became waterlogged.

Skybus flights to the Isles of Scilly have been flying from Newquay since the airport was closed.

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company is the sole provider of commercial flights to the islands.

In June, it said about ^1.3m from the European Regional Development Fund had been confirmed for the ^2.6m project.

[TonyK]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):


Land's End Airport reopens after runway work


Tarmac has been laid on four runways at Land's End Airport, in Cornwall, which has been closed since 4 July.

Four runways makes it sound like Boris Island, but we are talking 07/25 and 16/34 - strictly four runways over two stretches of tarmac*. I've checked the AIP chart for the aerodrome, which has not yet been amended, and still shows all four eight runways as grass. It's also good news as grass fields are a bugger to spot from anywhere except directly overhead (and even then) unless they have big buildings around.

Good news though, esp. as Mrs FT,N! has announced an intention to make a tour of inspection of the Scillies.

(*My poetic licence is in the post)

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Isles of Scilly helicopter link 'could reopen in 2015'


British International Helicopters blamed falling passenger numbers and rising costs for the end of the service to the Isles of Scilly in 2012

A helicopter link from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly could be reopened, a Cornish MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) has announced.

St Ives MP Andrew George said talks were progressing well for passenger helicopters to return in 2015.

Tourism operators on Scilly said the price of a flight would have to be right for it to be successful.

Two companies approached by the BBC - EasyJet and Ryanair - refused to comment on "speculation" two airlines were interested in the venture.

The final helicopter journey to Scilly, after a 48-year link, by British International Helicopters (BIH) took place in October 2012. At the time BIH cited rising costs and falling passenger numbers.

Mr George and Graham Cole, the chairman of AgustaWestland, the Anglo-Italian helicopter company, have "jointly expressed" their optimism over a potential helicopter service.

Mr George said: "When I asked AgustaWestland last year to help with plans to re-establish the service I was encouraged by their willingness to engage. Following our [recent] meeting I am more confident."

The company's AW 189 helicopter will be used by Bristow when it takes over search and rescue in Cornwall.

AgustaWestland previously said it would offer the first helicopter off the production line at a cheap rate to encourage someone to set up a commercial service to Scilly.

John May, who runs a camping facility on St Mary's, said: "Wherever possible you have to offer the customer what they need, but you have to keep the cost as low as we can."

The Council of the Isles of Scilly said: "The council welcomes any initiative that brings an additional mode of transport to the islands. The council is not involved in discussions between commercial operators at this stage."

Ryanair said it did not comment on what it called "speculation". Flybe said it was "unfortunately unable to comment".

[grahame]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

St Ives MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Andrew George said talks were progressing well for passenger helicopters to return in 2015.

Would 2015 be around the time that Mr George might be looking to defeat his parliamentary seat?   Oops - it may sound like I'm being a bit cynical here, but in practise there is a certainly cyclicity in some forward looking, and in some speculative, developments.

[JayMac]

No mention where the heliport would be in Penzance. Won't be cheap to build a new one.

Or are they going to use the Sainsbury's car park built over the old heliport?  

[Thatcham Crossing]

I was in Penzance last week (having not visited for around 15 months) and was amazed to be told by the guy in the Sainsburys filling station that the whole thing was built from scratch and opened in 6 months - it's a biggish store.

I also noticed that there is a windsock on the roof at the western end - but I presume not a strong enough roof for an S61 (or AW189) to land!

I imagine they may have had to retain some kind of Met. observation facility, as the heliport used to be an official Met Office Aviation reporting station.

Even in Summer, and especially with the weather as it was last week (wet, windy, low cloud, poor viz a lot of the time), I can only imagine that the Skybus fixed-wing operation must be haphazard at best.

The big helicopters were much more resilient to the variable west country weather!