MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
St Elena's airport will receive its first airplane test landing next July
A few years ago the British government decided to build an international airport, a calling point for air bridges to the south.(Pic. St. Helena online) 
The aircraft is scheduled to land on the new runway with a crew of just four people, to test all the navigational equipment and aids being installed The very first airplane landing on St Helena’s new airport is due to take place in July, seven months before the target date for its completion. St Elena is situated in the middle of the Atlantic, and besides being a volcanic island is world famous since Napoleon was kept under arrest by the British until his death.
Given its strategic position in mid Atlantic to connect with the South Atlantic Islands, a few years ago the British government decided to build an international airport, a calling point for air bridges to the south. Currently the only link of the island with any continent is a monthly trip by sea from South Africa.
This first historic international flight will carry no passengers. The aircraft is scheduled to land on the new runway with a crew of just four people, whose job will be to test all the navigational equipment and aids being installed at the airport.
Deon de Jager, St Elena Island Director for construction firm Basil Read, said the test flight would be carried out by a UK company, Flight Calibration Services Limited, in conjunction with Thales, the firm installing the equipment.
He said: “The type of aircraft is still being finalized. It will touch down.”
The July flight will test equipment for: measuring an aircraft’s distance from the runway; giving electronic compass bearings to pilots; weather testing; air traffic control communications; a crash alarm system; long-distance radio
Deon also confirmed the official completion date for the airport.
“The airport handover date for the construction phase at present is 26 February 2016 – which could change, depending on variations for additional works in the latter part of the construction phase.
“This does not mean that the first commercial flights will commence on that date.”
Source: By Simon Pipe St. Helena Online
More info: http://www.sainthelenaaccess.com/news/photos/
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all commentsSt Elena's airport
Mar 10th, 2015 - 12:01 am 0Just a possible staging post to the Falklands,
They say, Britain is looking for a new nuclear base.
Or perhaps Tristan da Cunha
1,491 miles from the nearest continent and home to just one 300-person village at the foot of an active volcano: Experience life on Tristan da Cunha, the world's most remote island
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2982772/Tristan-da-Cunha-world-s-remote-island.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
just saying like.
So fascinating, an airport in the middle of the south Atlantic. A major benefit of being a part of the UK.
Mar 10th, 2015 - 12:05 am 0Along with defense and all the subsidies...
Well, it might be eminently sensible to have St Helena as a staging post, but rumours suggest poorly- paid Saints in the Falklands will be expected to fly via London an d Joburg to get back home from Mount Pleasant.. Not exactly an improvement for them....
Mar 10th, 2015 - 01:39 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!