Southend Airport ready for the worst of winter (From Southend Standard)
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Southend Airport ready for the worst of winter
9:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News
Snow ploughs ready for action at Southend Airport
WHATEVER the worst of the British weather throws at us passengers flying from Southend are highly likely to still take off from Southend.
Southend Airport has the kit and procedures in place to ensure flights can come in and leave despite fog, snow and ice.
When the snow caught everyone by surprise in early December and roads came to a standstill the airport functioned well with just one departing flight delayed by an hour.
The runway was kept clear and flights taking off while Stansted Airport’s runway had to be closed for two hours.
In October thick fog caused some disruption over two days with some diversions to incoming easyJet flights and Aer Lingus cancelled its services.
However a whole team of workers are quickly rallied when bad weather strikes to deal with the situation and keep planes and passengers flying.
Airport managing director Alastair Welch said: “Southend Airport has a very good weather record for manay years we have taken diversions froma number of airports. We do our very best on those occasions to minimise disruption to passengers.”
The airport has two vehicles which are able to clear snow from the runway by sweeping it with brushes as well as smaller vehicles to clear the stand for the planes and walkways.
Snow can not be allowed to build up in walls at the side of the runway it has to be blown and distributed over the airfield.
Ice can also cause major problems on runways and aircraft so the airport has two de-icers on site.
Salt used on roads can never be used on runways as it is corrosive to planes so an anti ice treatment is used on the ground and de icers sprays on the planes.
The kit is all run by the staff who service the aircraft and are already on site . Also the airport fire service is responsible for clearing the runway.
In fog there are procedures in place which determine whether an aircraft can land in fog.
There is a decision height at around 200ft from half a mile away where if there is a clear indication of the runway and a predetermined runway visual range - which measures visibility between two locations at either end of the runway - is met then it is safe to land.
If not then an aircraft can hold in the air for it to clear or will divert.
Southend often takes diversions from Farnborough, Luton and London City airports.
It is less strict for takeoff as the manoeuvre can be made in low visibility as it is overseen by the control tower and radars.
As the airport is redeveloped additional lighting is being put in.
Mr Welch added: “When there is bad weather forecast there is a snow plan put in place and a snow cell team of us meet regularly to monitor the situation. “It is teamwork and it seems to work well here.”
The airport is looking ahead to even busier times having seen its runway extension finished new terminal and hotel and easyJet start flying from there last year (2012).
The terminal extension is underway and due to be finished in May.
Mr Welch said; “It’s been an important year for us with much more happening. “Our passenger levells have surpassed the record of 1967 with 690,000 people using the airport.. We’re looking forward to our next new service running to Venice from February and finishing the terminal extension.”
Comments(21)
emcee
says...
10:15pm Thu 10 Jan 13
Max Impact
says...
11:13pm Thu 10 Jan 13
emcee wrote:Don't forget it is not just the runway that needs to be kept clear of snow and ice but the taxiways, apron aircraft stabnds, aircraft maintanance area, public access areas, the fire section, crash gates and car parks.
Considering the airport is a long way off full capacity it would be a pretty poor show if they could not keep the runway open. An airport is only really tested during bad weather when there is a build up of delays and cancellations. As there are still large gaps in the day when scheduled aircraft are not using the runway it is hardly surprising that the two snow ploughs will be able to cope without putting any strain on the airport functioning as normal.
They would not wait until shortly before a flight is due to arrive or depart before send the snow ploughs out they would be in use most of the day.
You can not use grit (rock salt) on an airport so it is a more or less constant battle to keep the runway and other areas clear.
Brunning999
says...
12:57am Fri 11 Jan 13
emcee wrote:Some people thrive on hearing bad news, perhaps it is easier for the British to deal with.
Considering the airport is a long way off full capacity it would be a pretty poor show if they could not keep the runway open. An airport is only really tested during bad weather when there is a build up of delays and cancellations. As there are still large gaps in the day when scheduled aircraft are not using the runway it is hardly surprising that the two snow ploughs will be able to cope without putting any strain on the airport functioning as normal.
Success, improvement and wealth are things some Brits seem not to be able to say 'well done you have worked hard you deserve all you have achieved'
al coniston
says...
4:45am Fri 11 Jan 13
siddymint
says...
7:48am Fri 11 Jan 13
EssexBoy1968
says...
7:58am Fri 11 Jan 13
Nebs wrote:Nice idea, although I can't help thinking that those who take the decisions to close schools due to snow might not want to have such guidance.
Perhaps the airport could send someone round to the local schools, to give talks about forward planning.
Good to see that the airport has planned ahead, let's hope that the roads/tracks are clear enough for passengers to get there in the first place!
Eric Whim
says...
11:17am Fri 11 Jan 13
jayman
says...
2:49pm Fri 11 Jan 13
two tractors clear the runway of all the bull sh~t.
come on guys. its two tractors with snow ploughs attached.
Its hardly cutting edge technology with joe 90 at the wheel is it?
how about the echo do a story that's in the wider public interest. like all the **~roads~** being gritted around the borough this time..
just a thought.
Max Impact
says...
3:32pm Fri 11 Jan 13
jayman wrote:Grit all roads you say, well they could and that would make you anf very meany many people very very happy but...
pictured above.
two tractors clear the runway of all the bull sh~t.
come on guys. its two tractors with snow ploughs attached.
Its hardly cutting edge technology with joe 90 at the wheel is it?
how about the echo do a story that's in the wider public interest. like all the **~roads~** being gritted around the borough this time..
just a thought.
What if the conditions persist for a number of days council continue to grit every road like you want and run out of grit and well more snow all road become blocked nothing can move no chance of getting fresh supplys of grit in...
When supplys become avalable the cost of buying enough to once more grit every road forces services to be cut and forces council tax up.
Still wnat every road gritted or just the major ones?
Alan Jacobs
says...
4:10pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Alan Jacobs
says...
4:13pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Max Impact wrote:One would imagine that with the mild winter so far stockpiles of grit will be high and so should be the budget to buy more as so far very little must have been used.
jayman wrote:Grit all roads you say, well they could and that would make you anf very meany many people very very happy but...
pictured above.
two tractors clear the runway of all the bull sh~t.
come on guys. its two tractors with snow ploughs attached.
Its hardly cutting edge technology with joe 90 at the wheel is it?
how about the echo do a story that's in the wider public interest. like all the **~roads~** being gritted around the borough this time..
just a thought.
What if the conditions persist for a number of days council continue to grit every road like you want and run out of grit and well more snow all road become blocked nothing can move no chance of getting fresh supplys of grit in...
When supplys become avalable the cost of buying enough to once more grit every road forces services to be cut and forces council tax up.
Still wnat every road gritted or just the major ones?
Nebs
says...
4:19pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Alan Jacobs wrote:Will the airport will be responsible for gritting the road from the mini roundabout down to the station and car parks.
Max Impact wrote:One would imagine that with the mild winter so far stockpiles of grit will be high and so should be the budget to buy more as so far very little must have been used.
jayman wrote:Grit all roads you say, well they could and that would make you anf very meany many people very very happy but...
pictured above.
two tractors clear the runway of all the bull sh~t.
come on guys. its two tractors with snow ploughs attached.
Its hardly cutting edge technology with joe 90 at the wheel is it?
how about the echo do a story that's in the wider public interest. like all the **~roads~** being gritted around the borough this time..
just a thought.
What if the conditions persist for a number of days council continue to grit every road like you want and run out of grit and well more snow all road become blocked nothing can move no chance of getting fresh supplys of grit in...
When supplys become avalable the cost of buying enough to once more grit every road forces services to be cut and forces council tax up.
Still wnat every road gritted or just the major ones?
Max Impact
says...
4:22pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Alan Jacobs wrote:But you can only store what you have space for, if the delverys and not get through then you are not going to be able to grit.
Max Impact wrote:One would imagine that with the mild winter so far stockpiles of grit will be high and so should be the budget to buy more as so far very little must have been used.
jayman wrote:Grit all roads you say, well they could and that would make you anf very meany many people very very happy but...
pictured above.
two tractors clear the runway of all the bull sh~t.
come on guys. its two tractors with snow ploughs attached.
Its hardly cutting edge technology with joe 90 at the wheel is it?
how about the echo do a story that's in the wider public interest. like all the **~roads~** being gritted around the borough this time..
just a thought.
What if the conditions persist for a number of days council continue to grit every road like you want and run out of grit and well more snow all road become blocked nothing can move no chance of getting fresh supplys of grit in...
When supplys become avalable the cost of buying enough to once more grit every road forces services to be cut and forces council tax up.
Still wnat every road gritted or just the major ones?
With this in mind I bought a 200L Grit Bin including the Rock Salt & a shovel (also an extra 200L of rock salt) including delivery for £300.
Max Impact
says...
4:23pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Nebs wrote:Depends if they are registed as public roads or private roads.
Alan Jacobs wrote:Will the airport will be responsible for gritting the road from the mini roundabout down to the station and car parks.
Max Impact wrote:One would imagine that with the mild winter so far stockpiles of grit will be high and so should be the budget to buy more as so far very little must have been used.
jayman wrote:Grit all roads you say, well they could and that would make you anf very meany many people very very happy but...
pictured above.
two tractors clear the runway of all the bull sh~t.
come on guys. its two tractors with snow ploughs attached.
Its hardly cutting edge technology with joe 90 at the wheel is it?
how about the echo do a story that's in the wider public interest. like all the **~roads~** being gritted around the borough this time..
just a thought.
What if the conditions persist for a number of days council continue to grit every road like you want and run out of grit and well more snow all road become blocked nothing can move no chance of getting fresh supplys of grit in...
When supplys become avalable the cost of buying enough to once more grit every road forces services to be cut and forces council tax up.
Still wnat every road gritted or just the major ones?
Levelfield
says...
4:24pm Fri 11 Jan 13
Carnabackable
says...
5:05pm Fri 11 Jan 13
EssexMan007
says...
7:28pm Fri 11 Jan 13
WhateverS
says...
2:18am Sat 12 Jan 13
jayman wrote:T Osser
pictured above.
two tractors clear the runway of all the bull sh~t.
come on guys. its two tractors with snow ploughs attached.
Its hardly cutting edge technology with joe 90 at the wheel is it?
how about the echo do a story that's in the wider public interest. like all the **~roads~** being gritted around the borough this time..
just a thought.
Nebs
says...
11:05pm Sat 12 Jan 13
Max Impact wrote:We established the answer to that when the airport painted the double yellow lines.
Nebs wrote:Depends if they are registed as public roads or private roads.
Alan Jacobs wrote:Will the airport will be responsible for gritting the road from the mini roundabout down to the station and car parks.
Max Impact wrote:One would imagine that with the mild winter so far stockpiles of grit will be high and so should be the budget to buy more as so far very little must have been used.
jayman wrote:Grit all roads you say, well they could and that would make you anf very meany many people very very happy but...
pictured above.
two tractors clear the runway of all the bull sh~t.
come on guys. its two tractors with snow ploughs attached.
Its hardly cutting edge technology with joe 90 at the wheel is it?
how about the echo do a story that's in the wider public interest. like all the **~roads~** being gritted around the borough this time..
just a thought.
What if the conditions persist for a number of days council continue to grit every road like you want and run out of grit and well more snow all road become blocked nothing can move no chance of getting fresh supplys of grit in...
When supplys become avalable the cost of buying enough to once more grit every road forces services to be cut and forces council tax up.
Still wnat every road gritted or just the major ones?
maxell
says...
8:06am Mon 14 Jan 13
Nebs says...
9:29pm Thu 10 Jan 13