Don't doubt the problems with windshear, but this is yet another article that proves my belief that every news story contains at least one egregious error. They say:

"The airport was planned to boost tourism and secure supply lines to the island, which was once held by French emperor Napoleon before defeat in 1815."

No, it was not "held" by Napoleon, and certainly not "before" his defeat. Rather, Napoleon was held as a prisoner there, after his defeat! So what else did they get wrong?

No question there are issues, hurdles, and concerns left to overcome with this new runway and airport. Wind Data and diversion plans seem to be the next hurdles. The airport is fully open with all the certifications.




There are wind shear challenges on one runway [20, the northerly approach], which means larger planes [for example, the 737-800] cannot currently land safely,” Phillips said. “We are collecting wind data, which will allow larger planes to land on this runway, but this will take some time.

“Wind shear is a factor at several airports around the world, including London City Airport, where safe landings happen every day,” she said. “In the meantime, we are working hard to identify an interim flight solution that can land on our second runway [02, from the south]. There is no wind shear … but there is a tailwind.”

She continued: “We have identified aircraft types which can land in these conditions, and airlines that have these planes—and we are now exploring the specific availability of aircraft with these airlines. The airport is certified and open, as demonstrated by the emergency medevac flight last Saturday when we were able to fly a sick baby to Cape Town.”

That flight involved a Dassault Falcon 20 executive jet, rather than an airliner.

In May, the airport was granted an Aerodrome Certificate by Air Safety Support International. The St. Helena government said wind shear and turbulence mitigation are separate operational issues that do not affect the certification, which covers security and air traffic control standards.

There is no future for the island or the 4,000 people who live there without direct jet service no matter what the final cost of the runway adds up to.

I hope they find a way to overcome the problems because, at the moment, the following photo shows the only way of 'landing' on St Helena...



There isn't even a harbour. You come alongside in a water taxi and then grab one of the ropes that are hanging down and swing ashore. The photo shows it in good conditions (calm and high tide), it gets far harder than this!

Read Jean's account of going ashore here ... sailingjeannius

worth it? prolly

Yes. Beautiful. Also like stepping back 50 years in time as the supply boat only arrives once every three weeks so everything runs out and if you see a queue outside a shop you join it just in case there is something inside that you need!

Go now before the airport - if it ever works - changes everything.