TheLocalYokel
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- Jan 14, 2009
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- #81
Unfortunately, the CAA has ceased to print its diversions tables which some years made surprising reading when it came to the airports that suffered. Some of those that were believed to be the worst offenders (BRS and LBA are usually among the chief suspects) did not always live up to their reputations, when it came to a percentage analysis.Not a good day for CWL. This must effect the profits of the Flybe operation with the constant diversions. Seems to be quite a lot this year. I read a post on a Cardiff airport Social Media page which suggested that the ILS needs to be upgraded. The poster mentioned that BRS gets worse weather but seems to get less diversions than CWL possibly because of a better ILS system I honestly don't know if that is true. I suppose % of traffic of the airport wise CWL's diversions will be a lot higher than BRS.
BRS does have Cat3b ILS on its westerly runway (27) - I believe that Cat3c is theoretically possible but I'm not aware of any airport that has it - and this has been a great help as I'm sure pilots and ATC would confirm. Diversions still take place on occasions under Cat3 operations though, when for example aircraft are not fitted with compatible equipment - usually the smaller jets and turbo-props as was apparently the case with the three diversions at BRS today.
If there is an easterly wind at BRS and visibility is poor then diversions usually result because Cat3 is not installed for the easterly runway (09) owing to the topography of the ground on approach which I understand could trigger false indications.
CWL does not have Cat3. if it had the TOM B738 that diverted to BRS would have been able to land. I assume the Flybe E195s are Cat3-compliant too, as well as the Vueling Airbuses.
Nearly 20 years ago the A38 outside BRS was diverted away from the airport for over half a mile in an arc, partly I believe to accommodate the installation of Cat3 ILS.