Papa Westray
PAPA WESTRAY: Civil aerodrome
A MIKE CHARLTON GALLERY
Note: The first two pictures were taken and kindly sent by Mike Charlton. The aircraft is a Britten-Norman BN2P Islander operated by Loganair. The third, fourth and fifth pictures are from postcards of which Mike Charlton has an amazing collection. See, www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
Looking at these examples, and many others of Loganair aircraft, has any other UK airline shown a penchant for having such a vast array of colour schemes? I think not.
First picture: This Islander G-BPCA, was first registered as G-BLNX to Pilatus Britten-Norman at BEMBRIDGE on the Isle of Wight from the 3rd September 1984 until the 28th January 1988. Presumably being leased or hired during that period? It was then re-registered as G-BPCA from the 28th January 1988 until the 23rd March 1988. Presumably there was a reason? Perhaps for a potential client?
It then went to British Regional Aircraft (Scotland) at GLASGOW AIRPORT from the 23rd March 1988 until the 7th April 1997 when it transferred to Loganair who are (in 2018 at least) are still operating it. I suppose the question must be asked; When the Islanders become time expired - what can replace them?
Third picture: This Britten-Norman BN2A-21 Islander, G-AVKC, has a most unusual history. According to the UK register it was operated by Loganair, (HQ at GLASGOW AIRPORT), from the 15th September 1967 until October 1971 - when it was declared PWFU (Permanently Withdrawn From Use). Being PWFU is generally the sign that the aircraft was scrapped - and, needless to say it wasn't - languishing unloved somewhere for over three years.
It then reappears registered to Fairey Britten-Norman Air Services at BEMBRIDGE on the Isle of Wight from the 31st January 1975 until the 21st June 1976. Presumably they had modified it for aerial survey work as from the 2nd July 1976 it was transferred to Fairey Surveys until the 4th June 1979 when it was sold to the USA.
The sixth picture, an aerial view (2006), was obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: 1980s to 2000: Orkney Islands Council
British airline users: Loganair
Location: Roughly in centre of Papa Westray island, 23nm N of KIRKWALL
Period of operation: 1970s to -
Note: These maps are reproduced with the kind permission of Pooleys Flight Equipment Ltd. Copyright Robert Pooley 2014.
Runways: 1990: 04/22 500x30 grass 18/36 390x30 grass
2000: 04/22 500x30 grass 18/36 343x30 grass
2001: 04/22 467x30 grass 18/36 343x18 grass
07/25 334x18 grass
Starter extensions 40m on 18 & 43m on 36
NOTES: A CLAIM TO FAME
In 1990 scheduled services were Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The flight from PAPA WESTRAY to WESTRAY, (presumably they do it both ways?), is just two miles, making this the shortest airline sector in the world. Loganair were using Britten-Norman Islanders on this service. Is this still the case?
ANOTHER CLAIM TO FAME
Whilst in use, (and perhaps it still is?), the 18/36 runway was the shortest licensed runway in the UK. By comparison the shortest licensed I know of on the mainland is at Netherthorpe airfield in Yorkshire, (now apparently in Nottinghamshire), and that was/is 382 metres long. But, this said, if the 07/25 was/is licensed, then that would take the record.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
