David Carrington, Gozo Airlink Group, Xagħra
Impractical vision of the airstrip in Gozo
With respect to the government’s recent call for input into the proposal for a Gozo airstrip, there are several serious flaws in the plan currently being put forward. The plan centres on the idea that a runway should be built at the existing helipad, west-east to a length of 500 metres. This might appear to be practical. But, in fact, it isn’t.
First, the length of 500 metres does not allow for a sufficient margin of error for an aircraft to operate safely in all weather conditions. Typically, in Gozo, when the summer heat reaches over 35°C, which also coincides with peak tourist travel, a light aircraft needs an extra 10 to 15 per cent of runway in order to gain lift.
Second, the prevailing wind is north-west/south-east and any runway should ideally point directly into it; the current east-west proposal is not ideal for this reason and it would also necessitate the building of a three-metre-high ramp directly across the existing access road, requiring its diversion. East-west also routes aircraft towards Xewkija. We are informed there is land available enabling a longer, correctly oriented runway.
Third, the type of aircraft suited to a 500-metre strip are not particularly ideal for the type of commercial traffic that Gozo needs. The Twin Otter and Pilatus PC-6 that have been mooted thus far are expensive to operate and are, also, very cramped internally. On the other hand, the widely used Britten-Norman Islander and Trislander are simple and inexpensive to operate, very easy to board and have a quick turn-around time.
Fourth, the current scheme does not allow for aircraft parking. This means only one aircraft at a time can be accepted.
This would be an unnecessary restriction on, for instance, Gozo’s connections with the world outside Luqa. It would also mean that, should an aircraft become unserviceable, all routes in and out would be blocked.
There are other benefits to be derived from a properly designed aerodrome facility such as recreational events and private air traffic, all of which could be revenue earners for Gozo but these can be debated at another time. In the meantime, please, let the powers-that-be make their decisions on practical common sense – both technical and commercial – rather than on expedient “quick-fixes”!
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Franco Farrugia
Nov 15th 2010, 17:57
Contributors would do well to mark a difference as to which Franco they are addressing - hehe, the two Francos here have different opinions. One other point: can someone tell us how many Gozitans would be willing to make use of an expensive air-link between MIA and Gozo? And how frequently? And, as someone below said, a Gozitan, apparently, that there should be in fact an airlink for anyone who might, somehow, and sometime, and if, make use of it, ... is it all that worth it, to destroy so much Gozistan land, beautiful land, just so that there would be an aerodrome?
James A. Tyrrell
Nov 14th 2010, 14:32
@Azzopard. Since you didn't use my first name I won't use yours. I will ask again and perhaps this time we will get an answer. You state that Gozo needs an air link to supplement its tourist industry. In what way is an air link going to supplement its tourist industry? Just answer the question.
Do you have a plane or a pilots licence? Just wondering why you want to further destroy the island, which you seem to call home. By the way I'm not thinking of myself. As you say I'm only there once a year so it makes no difference to me either way apart from the fact that if the island is turned into a landing strip by a bunch of money hungry developers and plane crazy idiots I would be going somewhere else as would a lot of other tourists.
The people I'm thinking about are the Gozitan people who would have to put up with the noise all day every day. The noise wouldn't be coming from tourists taking off and landing or ordinary Gozitans taking off and landing but from idiots in light aircraft playing with their latest landing strip.
John Azzopardi
Nov 14th 2010, 11:37
In life there are many things we don't want and then we get the government or some other social organization ramming everything down our throats and we have to accept it. Gozo needs an viable airlink to supplement it's tourist industry. If we cannot upgrade ourselves in in Gozo, we are totally dead in economic terms and we will be left behind. Gozo needs tourism to sustain itself the same way proper Malta does. It cannot allow itself to remain in a closed bottle for show. We must move forward and gozitans must move forward. I am a gozitan and I would like to have the option of an airlink. I don't see anything wrong with that. Those who come to Gozo once a year for a few weeks (like Tyrell) don't get the point. All Tyrrell seems to think about is himself. And those who hide behind the environmental flag don't even understand what they stand for. Having an airlink has nothing to do with the environment. It's a need that is needed in today's gozitan world. Those who don't like it, too bad.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 15th 2010, 17:53
Sir, indeed, the presence of airplanes on Gozo would signify the end of the natural environment in Gozo as we know it. You are not right in claiming that it has nothing to do with the environment. The presence of a fully-fledge airfield, and aerodrome will cut through miles upon miles of virgin and not-so-virgin land - and how much land does Gozo have? I hope you are not a Gozitan as otherwise, what you write and what you wish is nothing but treason.
George Vella
Nov 14th 2010, 04:50
Mr. Carrington's proposals of how to design an airstrip in Gozo make sense, yet here one can safely say that the locals would benefit nothing from it. This can be judged from the fact that it would be very expensive for Gozitans to make use of it, so with common sense Gozitans do not need it.
As igalea had said, having an airstrip, that would make it a military target. Remember during World War Two Gozo had no airstrip and hence was not a military target, but a safe neutral place for Gozitans and Maltese refugees. Only in June of 1943 the Amereicans had built a temporary airstrip when Malta was secure from enemy action. After some months then it was dismanteled.
One has to take another point into consideration: the flying club in Malta had been stressing this point since early 1990's, for the simple reason of having a safer and less obstructed landing/takeoff site. And one might ask, who owns a plane in Gozo? And what benefit it would be from this flying club to Gozo, only noise, pollution and waste of land to a chosen few!
James A. Tyrrell
Nov 14th 2010, 00:07
@Franco J Scicluna. What's wrong, am I upsetting your little plan? I'm not the one who thinks he can run the island, that's you and your little flying club buddies. I back the majority of Gozitan people who are telling you to leave the island alone, so stop meddling yourself.
John Portelli
Nov 13th 2010, 22:36
Franco, you are right. Franco should look more closely at the problems Ireland is having. Today, we find Ireland on the brink of financial collapse according to media reports this week. Gozo is a small functioning island and as such needs to catch up with the rest of Malta. We the majority of Gozitans do not want to remain 2nd class citizens to cater to some people who want Gozo to remain as it is without any additional develeopment. Let me remind Mr. Tyrell and Others like Mr. Galea, that Gozitans want a viable air service so if they chose to, they can use the air link when needed.
leo attard
Nov 13th 2010, 22:01
@Mr franco Scicluna...Mr Tyrell, as Mr J Azzopardi claimed for himself, has the right to express his opinion. Would you have said the same thing to had he spoken in favor of the airstrip?.....Maybe a stupid question on my part, but if we are going to promote an airstrip for commercial transport, is this going to negatively reduce the commercial transport on the gozo channel and thus reduce its profits and thus lead to a high increase in gozo channel fares?
R.Zammit
Nov 13th 2010, 21:39
500m is extremely short. It's true that its theoretically sufficient (just) for a couple of aircraft types, but it does not leave room for error.
It is similar to some 'expert' suggesting that all roads are built 6 inches wider than a car's width, because theoretically that is enough.
800/1000m is more realistic......and safer. I can't see an airstrip in Gozo being used to serve anywhere but Malta. Even that would be hard and will probaly require a PSO if any profit is to be made.
However it will be an asset to attract local and foreign light aircraft owners who will make use of Gozo's hotels, restaurants and facilities. Let's not blow things out of proportion. To date, less than 50 of these private planes land in Malta each year, excluding the Air Rally. If they all go to Gozo too, as well as perhaps another 100 from Malta, we are talking of a plane every other day landing in Gozo. Certainly not a bother to anyone.
Franco J Scicluna
Nov 13th 2010, 19:53
James A. Tyrrel, you of all people, who do not even reside permanently on the island, you think that you are in a position to run this island.Dont you have more pressing problems to look at in your own country. Stop meddling please.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 14th 2010, 00:05
Hmmm..... no valid arguments to counter his? Temper, temper!
James A. Tyrrell
Nov 13th 2010, 16:06
@John Azzopardi. You are always shouting about how much Gozo needs an airstrip but you keep dodging the question regarding how it can be made financially sustainable or what use it would be to the ordinary Gozitan person. Do let us know if you ever find a way to justify your desires.
James A. Tyrrell
Nov 13th 2010, 13:11
Part 2
You should also note that this is no longer about a connection to Luqa airport as has been stated in the past. Now it’s seen as ‘an unnecessary restriction on, for instance, Gozo’s connections with the world outside Luqa.’ In other words forget about the odd flight arriving from and leaving to Luqa airport. Now they are calling for flights to and from other destinations.
Oh and lets not forget that they also mention ‘private air traffic’ or to put it another way the ability for members of the Gozo Air link Group to land their own private toys on the island. But as they say all these little extras can be debated at a later time. The important thing now is to further destroy the landscape and remove the very thing, which tourists come to Gozo for, the peace and tranquillity of the island.
The members of this group try to make out that they are friends of the Gozitan people wanting only what is best for them. Hopefully the Gozitan people will see through this thin charade and realise that these people are only have their own interests at heart.
James A. Tyrrell
Nov 13th 2010, 13:09
Part 1
I would like to add my support to what Franco Farrugia and lgaleaa have said below. I would also like to state the following. For years now we have been listening to these airstrip supporters telling us how easy it would be to build an airstrip on Gozo. They have told us that a tarmac airstrip would not be required as the planes could land on grass. We have been told that all that is required is to lengthen the existing runway. We have been told that the Twin Otter aircraft would be perfect, as it requires a short runway to operate.
Now we are told that not only is a tarmac runway required, indeed essential, but that the one, which is there already, is facing the wrong way. So now a larger runway facing north-west/south-east is required. Plus the Twin Otter is no longer any use and larger aircraft are required. And of course the occasional landing is now out the window, as they want extra space for parking to accommodate more than one aircraft at a time.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 13th 2010, 16:09
Your second paragraph is my point exactly. Previously, we had people such as Mr Franco Scicluna of Gozo, claiming that a very small aerodrome was needed, and he pooh-poohed and tried to shoot down my claiming that they would eventually want more and more services, to render what would be an airfield an eventual fully-fledged airport. Now we have this Mr Carrington judging and telling us that there is enough land! Poor Gozo, if this were to become a reality!
d cini
Nov 13th 2010, 12:46
one day in the future people will be crossing the gozo channel bridge made from recycled ferries' iron...it's only then that gozitans will enjoy a standard of living comparable to the national average...perhaps vision 2050 (+/-10years) :)
Franco Farrugia
Nov 13th 2010, 12:17
How many Gozitan people would benefit from a fixed-wing aerodrome? The answer is that the island of Gozo will never be the same again. Some Gozitans, especially those who have hotels and other interests - of all kinds! - think that by having such an infrastructure, they will be giving Gozo a share of the 'pie' that they think mainland Malta is enjoying. Nothing can be further from the truth: by having such a facility, Gozo will become impoverisehd even more. We have already tarnished forever mainland Malta with what we term as 'development' but if Gozo manages to have some sort of 'improvement' to its infrastructre that somehow connects it with the mainland, it will be the death-knell for that island even more. Leave Gozo as it is - it is a jewel in our archipelago; it will be destroyed if such an infrastructure had to become a reality. And Mr Carrington, if you are being told that there is 'land' available, it does not necessily mean that it has to be developed - read, destroyed!
lgaleaa
Nov 13th 2010, 12:06
The intention of those promoting an airstrip has always been to extend it more and more so that it will also be used by military aircraft and the game has been given away by a regular contributor who is one of its main promoters. The treason is that an airstrip on Gozo will not attract so many eyes on what military aircraft are landing and how many. Do the Gozitans wnt to make Gozo a military target? TO THE FOREIGNERS PROMOTING AN AIRSTRIP ON GOZO SCRAP YOUR IDEAS ABOUT A GOZO AIRSTRIP AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT GO BACK TO YOUR OWN COUNTRIES.
C Cassar
Nov 13th 2010, 13:00
Very friendly indeed. Sorry to dissappoint you matey but Malta is now an EU member. That means any company from any EU state (comprising of over 400 million citizens) can show an interest about starting/tendering a business in Malta, in this case a new air strip in Gozo. While I'm not a fan of the idea, it's a small price to pay for the extra opportunities given by EU membership to the younger generations in Malta.
You never know, there might be the opportunity to get quite a lot of the funding for the airstrip from EU structural funds. That might make it much more feasible and able to be built/approved much, much quicker. Now there's an idea, what do you think?
John Azzopardi.
Nov 13th 2010, 13:38
Mr Galea, you are always so negative. Gozo needs an airlink and built it must be. And it will be build tomorrow or in the next few years. I gather you live in Malta and want the island of Gozo to remain in the dark ages. As a Maltese citizen living in Gozo I have as much right to demand an airstrip as you are against. As for Mr. Carrington's, he does have a point. Let's hope that when the airstrip is designed and built, it done the right way.
lgalea
Nov 13th 2010, 14:06
C Cassar I am sure that neither the Gozitans nor the Maltese people want a military airstrip which will be a target for an attack. Gozo does not need an airstrip. Malta has been through too many wars and we don't want to be involves in any new wars courtesy of NATO and others. Re friendly, I only meant it to those who re promoting the airstrip and who may be casting feelers to see how the general public responds. No one took me for a ride as anyone could see through their smokescreen. The intention has always been that the small airstrip will be extended again and again and apart from ruining the Gozitan environment it will be used by foreign military aircraft. The cat was let out of the bag by one of the proposers when he said that foreign military aircraft could also use it for training. This means they would have already practiced using the Gozo airstrip if needed. No Cassar, we Maltese citizens and the Gozitans who do not believe in war and I am sure also foreigners of the same opinion do not want an airstrip/military airstrip in Gozo.
Pawlu Scicluna
Nov 13th 2010, 15:15
lgalea is correct Mr John Azzopardi. Gozo doesn't need an airstrip. If you are not happy you can go back to Malta and leave us Gozitans in peace.
John Azzopardi
Nov 13th 2010, 22:24
Mr. Scicluna, I am a gozitan, and I am going to stay in Gozo and will keep adding my voice to favor an airlink to Malta International Airport. If you don't like my comments, too bad. I respect those people who disagree, but I also want my opinion to be heard. I suggest that you go and live in a country where arguments are not allowed.
Vincent Farrugia
Nov 14th 2010, 08:41
John Azzopardi . Get it into your head that we Gozitans do not want an airstrip