16th October 2014
Jersey Airport’s runway ‘moves’
Airports number their runways according to their orientation, by painting the first two digits of the compass direction in which they point at either end. Thus, between 1952 and 2014, Jersey Airport’s runway was known as 09/27, with planes landing at either ninety degrees or 270 degrees (due east or due west) orientation. However, such measurements are relative to magnetic north and, as that is constantly shifting, they eventually, inevitably, creep out of alignment over time.
So, airport workers spent the night repainting the markers so that, by morning, instead of 09 and 27 they read 08 and 26. The runway itself hadn’t moved, but as it was no longer correct to within 10 degrees of magnetic north the change was compulsory.
A big job
As Jersey Airport explained in a report released in advance of the work, “over and above the visual changes that will occur… there is numerous associated documentation that needs updating, including… airfield mapping and air traffic services manuals. These must be updated and submitted well in advance to the appropriate aviation authorities for approval. In addition… software updates must be made to ensure they are compliant when the designators are changed”.
While it’s difficult to say when it will be necessary to repeat the process, the annual rate of change is around 0.14 degrees. Should this remain stable a further re-designation should not be required for another 56 years.
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Other events that occured in October
BBC broadcasts the first episode of Bergerac
- The BBC’s Jersey-set police drama, Bergerac, produced in association with Australia’s Seven Network, followed Jim Bergerac of the fictional Bureau des Etrangers. With 87 episodes across nine series, including six Christmas specials, it ran until boxing day 1991.
- Read more…
Jersey death causes confusion in Scotland
- Annie Cameron left funds to establish a prize fund but there was some confusion over where she lived, which would affect her bequest.
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Footballer Greame Le Saux is born
- Jersey-born Le Saux’s first professional signing was for London club Chelsea, for whom he played his first match aged 21. He stayed for four seasons, during which he made 90 appearances, scoring eight league goals.
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Hitler orders the Channel Islands’ fortification
- Hitler ordered that the islands be fortified as part of his plans for an Atlantic Wall. The defences would therefore include between 200 and 250 strongpoints on each of the larger islands
- Read more…