NOT the longest runway

There is an urban myth that keeps popping up along the lines lines that Manston has the longest runway in the UK (or Europe, depending on how mis-informed the speaker is). It doesn't.

(I'm told by people who know about these things that modern aircraft, being more efficient, don't need very long runways anyway.)

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				Airport name	Usage	Length (ft)	Surface
				London Heathrow Airport	Public	12,799	Asphalt
				London Gatwick Airport	Public	10,879	Asphalt/Concrete
				MoD Boscombe Down	Military	10,538	Concrete/Asphalt
				RAF Brize Norton	Military	10,007	Asphalt
				London Stansted Airport	Public	10,000	Asphalt
				Manchester Airport	Public	10,000	Concrete/Asphalt
				RAF Fairford	Military	9,994	Asphalt
				Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome	Private	9,842	Asphalt
				Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield	Public	9,491	Asphalt
				East Midlands Airport	Public	9,491	Asphalt
				RAF Mildenhall	Military	9,221	Concrete/Asphalt
				RAF Marham	Military	9,140	Concrete
				RAF Wittering	Military	9,052	Asphalt
				Kent International Airport (Manston)	Public	9,029	Asphalt/Concrete

Comments

[Mrs Gabriel]

It's a man thing comparing the length of runways and it is a pity to debunk the Manston myth as I believe it's one of the few things it can safely brag about.

Here's a stock reply to a recent complaint about a very loud low flying aircraft at 00.45 on Saturday night.:

"I am sorry that you have found cause to complain about the operation of the Airport and apologise for any disturbance caused.
As the operators of Manston, Kent’s International Airport, we are very conscious of the noise generated by the Airport in the local community. For this reason, Manston has in place operational guidelines for all aircraft operators designed to minimise airport related noise on the community.
Your complaint has been investigated and the aircraft concerned was operating in accordance with safe working practice. Details of the Aircraft operating around the time you mention is as follows:-



Date:20.11.11
Time:Departure 0044
Operator/ Aircraft: World Airways MD11
QC2

Comments

Night flights occasionally operate at Manston Airport. Such flights have occurred since before the airport was purchased by the current operator and these non scheduled flights are provided for in the Section 106 Planning Agreement in place between the airport and Thanet District Council. Noisy flights, described in the agreement as having a QC above 4 attract a payment into a community fund managed by the Airport Consultative Committee. This process remains active and the airport is compliant with the S106 Agreement.
Planning controls in place at Manston allow the irregular movement of aircraft during night-time hours, when a flight suffers a delay to its operation causing it to operate off schedule. This type of activity is permitted as it is essential to allow the aircraft operator to continue its flying programme, not incur further delay to its flying schedule and meet its customer’s requirements.
The Air Traffic Control staff at Manston work hard to ensure that the Noise Abatement Procedures are adhered to as air traffic or weather conditions permit and will continue to monitor flight paths flown. Where necessary and possible, operators will be diverted on to disturbance minimising paths. Whilst we endeavour to avoid noise pollution where possible, our overriding concern is air safety.
At Manston, we have made, and will continue to make, substantial investments in our Air Traffic Services facility both in terms of equipment and human resource. This facility provides a comprehensive compliant service, including adherence to our S106 commitments relating to noise abatement.
I hope that this information is helpful to you. The details of your complaint will be logged for statistical purposes."

Yours sincerely

Manston, Kent’s International Airport

www.manstonairport.com
www.infratil.com
www.glasgowprestwick.com
www.wellington-airport.co.nz

Where will the submitted written information be kept and who is logging it and what are the statistical purposes etc etc.?????

[M.S.LOCKWOOD]

It is gratifying to read the published apology and statement from Manston with respect to admitting to noise pollution. Given this admission and their 'fluffing around' statements about noise 'abatement proceedures' they must therefore now be in agreement with the rest of the community that their operations do in fact generate an unnacceptable amount of noise.

Given this fact WHY IS IT THEN THAT AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IS NOT BEING CALLED FOR BY THANET DISTRICT COUNCIL??? Such an assessment should be called for and would assess the impact of all the airports operations.