Taxiway D Reopening, Taxiway E West Closing
Progress is continuing with our taxiway network improvements. Taxiway Delta has been completely reconstructed. The 10.5m wide taxiway will shortly be reopened once the finishing touches have been completed.
From Wednesday 28th January we will reopen Taxiway Delta and this will become the primary access for runway 07 whilst construction on the new alignment of Taxiway Echo is completed to the west of the aerodrome. The current alignment of Taxiway Echo west of Taxiway D has now been closed and will remain closed until Easter.
Taxiway D / E looking west
Taxiway D / E looking east
The closure of Taxiway Echo will necessitate a change to procedures whilst this work is ongoing as follows:
Runway 07 Operations
Departures
During Runway 07 operations, the holding point will be Hold Delta. Therefore to depart on runway 07, it will normally be necessary for aircraft to backtrack on 07 to lineup and make use of the full TORA distance of 1,199m. Pilots waiting to depart should therefore anticipate delays during busier times, as FISOs will need to find larger gaps in traffic before permitting access to the runway.
Subject to aircraft performance, an intersection departure is possible. We estimate the remaining TORA from Taxiway Delta to be approximately 650m. If you would like to depart from the intersection, please inform the FISO when at the hold. Please exercise caution when considering an intersection departure - every metre of runway behind you is useless!
It may be necessary to reduce the circuit capacity at times to allow for aircraft to depart in a timely manner. Please listen to the FISO if they ask you to cooperate.
Runups are to be conducted on Taxiway Delta.
Arrivals
When landing on runway 07, please bear in mind that aircraft will be waiting to depart at Hold Delta. Therefore, please consider the earliest taxiway available to vacate to be Taxiway Charlie. Taxiway Alpha is also available if required.
Runway 25 Operations
Arrivals
When landing on runway 25, please bear in mind that Taxiway Echo is closed, and so the last opportunity to vacate the runway on your landing roll is Taxiway Delta. If you require a longer landing distance, you will need to backtrack to vacate on Taxiway Delta.
If following another aircraft in the circuit, please consider your spacing, and anticipate that the aircraft may need to backtrack. An early call to go-around is always advisable.
Departures
Departures from Runway 25 are unaffected by these works. However, please bear in mind that aircraft backtracking will take longer to vacate the runway than normal.
Access to/from W Hangars
Vehicle Access
This access is unaffected, drivers with the appropriate airside driving privileges and approval to drive down to the W hangars should continue to use Taxiway Echo, and may travel through the construction zone on the closed Taxiway Echo. The procedures as contained within the airside driving policy are unaffected. Please exercise caution as there will be construction traffic in this area. There are two orange cones with lighting to identify where to enter the construction zone.
Aircraft Access
The only access to/from the runway and the rest of the aerodrome (such as refuelling) will be via Hold E1 and then the runway. If you need to fuel on departure, you should call for taxi and let the FISO know. You will then be asked to hold at E1 until there is a suitable gap, and then taxi via the runway, vacating at either Taxiway Delta or Charlie (depending on the runway in use).
Departures on 07 will be able to depart from E1 as normal, but departures on 25 will need to taxi via the runway, vacate at Taxiway Delta and join the queue for departures at A1.
Likewise, arrivals on 25, can vacate at E1 and return to the hangar as normal, but arrivals on 07 will need to land and follow FISO instructions to either vacate Charlie, and join the queue at Delta, or to backtrack depending on traffic levels.
new taxiway e alignment opening
We currently anticipate the new alignment of Taxiway Echo opening around Easter time, and will keep you updated with progress. At this point, there will be some renaming of the taxiway network as follows:
The new section of taxiway will be called Taxiway Echo, and the holding point E1 will be relocated closer to the runway to speed up departures in the future.
A new hold E2 will be established shortly before the junction with Taxiway Delta.
Taxiway Delta will have two new holding points introduced (D2, and D3) to help traffic flow at busier times.
The existing section of Taxiway Echo that remains from the junction with Taxiway Delta to the junction with Taxiways Golf & Hotel will be renamed Taxiway Foxtrot. This follows the closure of ‘the Foxtrot loop’ last year.
The existing E2 hold will be renamed Foxtrot hold.
These changes will be promulgated in the April AIP cycle, and we will share the new aerodrome chart and associated rules and procedures nearer the time.
Holding point D with crisp new surface and markings
taxiWAY edge LIGHTING
The new Taxiway Echo and existing Taxiway Delta will benefit from taxiway edge lighting once this project is complete. The existing edge lighting from the runway edge to holding point D has been reinstated now, and the bases and ducts are in place for the rest of Taxiway Delta. the light fittings and cables will be installed in March at the same time as we install them on the new Taxiway Echo.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation whilst these works are ongoing. These have been carefully planned to minimise disruption to airport users. Please also exercise caution when taxiing, as some users may not be as familiar with the new layout.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
