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Post by roche on Dec 21, 2009 16:57:36 GMT
CityJet D328 diverting into SEN - nowhere else available due WX. Happy to accept that the apron is very slippery.
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Post by expressflight on Dec 22, 2009 7:57:33 GMT
Does anyone know the diversion tally for last night? I believe there were several bizjets and at least a couple of D328s. I don't know what level of RFF was available last night - it's normally only Cat 2 after 19:30 now I believe.
Edit: It's only Cat 1 in fact after 19:30!
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Post by roche on Dec 22, 2009 9:00:42 GMT
I think the RFF cover must have been at least Cat 5 until late last night. The Sunscan D328 didn't leave until after 11:00 pm and there was also what looked like a CityJet RJ85 arrived after 11:00 pm - can't be certain on that one. Earlier in the evening a VLM/CJ F50 also arrived from Nantes. Although the runway braking action was described as good, the apron and was described as icy with rutted snow and taxiway C was not available due ice. This suggests that their snow clearing equipment is still U/S and/or, they have nothing available to de ice the apron and taxiways.
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Post by expressflight on Dec 22, 2009 9:20:10 GMT
There were nine diversions in all, including five bizjets. So I assume the other four comprised an F50, two D328s and one RJ(?).
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Post by roche on Dec 23, 2009 0:27:52 GMT
There was a CityJet RJ on stand when I drove past the airport this morning. I understand it departed to LCY around lunchtime.
SEN was Notamed as closed early this evening, but that was revised, I guess due to other airports suffering from freezing fog. A number of Biz Jets arrived along with 2 larger aircraft, but I couldn't make out what they were - they certainly weren't LCY diversions.
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Post by roche on Jan 3, 2010 16:17:32 GMT
CityJet/AF F50 landed on 24 about 15 mins ago on only one engine.
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Post by expressflight on Jan 3, 2010 16:45:38 GMT
If it was an LCY tech diversion I'm surprised they chose SEN because RFF cover would only be CAT 2 on a Sunday afternoon I believe.
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Post by roche on Jan 4, 2010 0:11:15 GMT
I assume the RFF cover was upped to at least Cat 4 for the F50 arrival.
It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few days due the forecast wx. Runway tonight already covered in light dusting of snow and it now seems to be freezing,
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Post by Thames Gateway on Jan 4, 2010 23:09:12 GMT
I would think that de-icing not being available could be enough to put off any diversions during the forecast icy/snow conditions during the rest of the week. Even worse,if they divert in and find they cannot depart again due to ice on the aircraft and no de-icing available!
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Post by expressflight on Jan 5, 2010 7:52:52 GMT
I don't know about just diversions, as I should imagine any operator will avoid the place like the plague this week. Nice to see the primary radar u/s period has been extended as well. What a great message the're sending out at the moment.
Seriously though, it really does make you weep. Sad to say SEN is showing itself to be a third rate airfield at present. It 'might' have a promising future but its present looks rather grim. I'm only glad I'm no longer in the business and operating from there and I'm also genuinely surprised that Stobart have allowed this situation to develop. Perhaps I've given them more credit than they deserve to date - or maybe they don't have their eye on the ball operationally.
Edit 08:56 I gather they may have the beast back in service by tomorrow with luck.
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Post by Thames Gateway on Jan 5, 2010 22:28:46 GMT
Flybe refugee from Gatwick just landed
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Post by Thames Gateway on Jan 5, 2010 23:25:38 GMT
And an easyjet - now there's a first!
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Post by roche on Jan 5, 2010 23:51:19 GMT
Thanks for that TG - I saw the FlyBe Q400 and caught a glimpse of the EasyJet aircraft, but wasn't sure whether it was just coming in for maintenence. I assume it was a 319 ?
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Post by expressflight on Jan 6, 2010 8:17:16 GMT
The EZY A319 had 135 pax aboard apparently.
Congratulations all round for ramping up the fire cover sufficiently.
Looks like the de-icer has been patched up - no longer NOTAM'd.
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Post by Humberside on Jan 6, 2010 11:23:12 GMT
Thats signficant for SEN handling an Easyjet diversion. Is that the first time in recent years SEN has handled a 'larger' aircraft on diversion?
Hopefully SEN made a good impression and the diverted passengers got back to Gatwick quickly
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