FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1989
1989 - 0015.PDF
*r debates nev million. The terminal's future Directors of Britain's third busi est airport, Manchester, will decide this month whether to go ahead with a £557 million second international terminal after securing UK Government approval for only the first of five years required borrowing. Local-government-owned airports such as Manchester still require UK Department of Transport (DoT) approval for borrowings, under the 1986 Airports Act. The DoT has approved the borrowing of £10 million in 1989/90, so long as the airport raises a further £6-8 million from its profits. The full borrowing require ment over five years is £225 by Kieran Daly The use of real smoke in a £6,000 cabin simulator is a key feature of London Gatwick Airport's new cabin- crew fire training course. The only other UK unit offering real smoke training, says Gatwick, is the Civil Aviation Authority School at Teeside, which concentrates on "instructing the instructors". Gatwick's own instructors train at Teeside over two days. The Gatwick course, costing £190 for 20 students, lasts up to three hours and allows strikingly realistic experience of galley, toilet, and elec trical panel fires. Students extinguish a single foam- cushion fire, but smoke is normally produced from hay and rags because the toxicity hazard from real seat fires is considered too great. Gatwick Fire Service, which runs the course, also has a fully- furnished Trident Three airframe but can only use cosmetic smoke in it. "In a survivable accident the number of survivors depends basically on the .actions of the crew," says deputy senior airport fire officer John Standing. "Apart from a real aeroplane, this simulator is about as realistic as you can get. People get brain washed into thinking smoke is all white and .cold. We do not aim to frighten them, but we have to make them aware of reality." Airline representatives wit nessing a demonstration were impressed that any students who failed to extinguish a fire rests on the Manchester board's assessment of the likelihood of gaining permission for sub sequent borrowing. Aviation minister Lord Brabazon reassured the airport directors to a degree, saying that the Government had never refused permisssion "for an existing project". Both sides are aware that the total project cost is £557 million, with the annual fund ing requirement peaking at £75 million. Manchester Airport deputy chairman Peter Smith has made it clear that construc tion would not start unless the directors were certain of seeing promptly saw it develop in front of them. Along with showing, via a side door in the simulator, how the • smoke flow leaves a clear- area near the floor, this experience would make a lasting impression on students, they believed. Gatwick says that 19 air lines have expressed interest, although some might send only instructors on the course. The airport requires airlines to sign an indemnity against personal risk, but stresses that three instructors are always on hand. With all doors open, natural airflow clears the simulator of smoke in about seven seconds. Airlines are encouraged to supply their students with extin guishers of the type in actual use. The course stresses the v terminal it through to completion. The board has already purchased an additional 150 acres of land needed for the terminal, and seems likely to go ahead. The terminal, to be built in two phases, will boost Manchester's passenger capac ity from its present 12 million a year to 16 million, and then to 23 million. The management at Manchester is keenly aware of the importance of increased capacity as traffic pressure grows at Heathrow and Gatwick. The latest DoT figures predict further growth of regional airports into the next century. importance of minimising discharge quantity to avoid toxicity risks associated with chemical agents. "If a cup of coffee will put it out, then use it", says Standing. The unit is developing an oxygen breathing apparatus simulator which will use easily replenishable compressed air instead of pure oxygen to cut the cost. Gatwick says it is able to tailor courses to airline- require ments. Cheaper refresher courses designed to fulfil minimum legal requalification requirements are available, and courses can be run*, at night if requested. The simu lator can be reconfigured to illustrate a "combi" passenger/ cargo aircraft. American opens West Coast hub American Airlines has inau gurated its US West Coast hub at San Jose in California, with 68 flights a day to 15 cities and 18 daily flights by the American Eagle feeder network. By 1991 American plans 175 flights a day from San Jose. The airline is aiming primarily at business travellers from surrounding high- technology companies. Ameri can substantially raised fares when opening the new hub, but claims it has met little customer resistance. The carrier hopes for a 20 per cent rise in passenger numbers through San Jose, despite fare increases of up to 18 per cent. The San Jose metropolitan area is one of the fastest growing in the USA—high-technology employment is predicted to grow by 36 per cent by year 2000. American's choice of San Jose avoided a direct con frontation with other major operators at San Francisco, including United, which has a hub there. American's major concern now is to boost its European services. The carrier believes that, when European deregula tion bites, it will be easier for US operators with a strong existing presence to increase services. TNT plans northern UK base Overnight cargo carrier TNT Express Europe has selected Liverpool Airport as its north ern UK operating base. Other regional centres in the country are planned. The company will use a temporary hangar when it starts operations next month, and plans to build its own unit, costing up to £1 million, in due course. TNT cites favourable road links and the relative lack of competition, which allows a dedicated service from the airport, as key factors in its choice. The carrier will initially oper ate its BAe 146QTs to Belfast twice-nightly, Prestwick, and Cologne. Realism rules on Gatwick fire course Cabin crew learn to fight real fires in realistic surroundings at Gatwick FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 7 January 1989 13
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
