Very impressive Keith.
I had never seen that either.
Better hope they never get a really high tide!
Rob.
That looks awesome Keith, what a feat of engineering.
Quite interesting landing there, we did a big loop over the sea the and touched down from the West, did wonder if anyone overshoots the runway though.
The airport used to be on a different island as Madeira didn't have enough flat land.
I think Madeira is the most mountainous place I've been, maps are a bit hit and miss as they are only in 2D a 3D map would be much more useful when trying to work out routes, as roads can have quite a height difference which is lost on a normal road map.
That's quite a feat of engineering. Very impressive.
The second thought that followed immediately after the above was "that's a security nightmare"...
I suspect there's enough redundancy in the design to lose a couple of pillars, and looking at the sheer size of them, combined with the much broader concrete "footing" at the bottom (maybe 8 feet high by 30 feet diameter from the looks of it?) I don't think it'd be an attractive proposition for even the biggest of car bombs, so probably not as big a security nightmare as you'd reckon at first glance.
I think it would take at least a tactical nuke to bring it down.
It is a clever way to solve the parking problem though.
Jim
Looks like something out of SimCity.
/Niclas
Whoo very impressive. Shows to go that with enough zeros after a number you can build just about anything where you want it.
Of course you bankrupt your country and threaten to crash your entire continent's currency in the processWhoo very impressive. Shows to go that with enough zeros after a number you can build just about anything where you want it.
Agreed, there are much softer and easier targets in the vicinity. I was involved in a security assessment of a particular facility where we tabletopped a whole load of scenarios. At the end of the day we came to the conclusion that any terrorist wanting to mount a "spectacular" aimed at maximising casualties, exposure of their cause on TV and general panic in the population would do far better to set off a bomb in a local railway station than waste their time going after the facility.
Not a soft target, by any measure. However, I may still disagree... But then, given some of the contingency planning I used to be involved in, I may have a difference perspective!
Last edited by Prodromoi; 07-31-2012 at 17:17. Reason: Typo
I just typed a long piece there suggesting a hypothetical way for terrorists to do massive economic damage without killing (m)anyone. Then realised that maybe I should keep my wug shut.
Careless talk costs lives chaps.
PS, Hello MI5. Should I expect Special Branch round in the morning?
Sounds like you and I could have some interesting chats over a few beersBut then, given some of the contingency planning I used to be involved in, I may have a difference perspective!
What a facinating way to overcome the lack of ground for an Aerodrome & I do like the huge parking area right on the spot.
I've landed in this strip at least 3 times and it is still short...
As for the upper mentioned questions, you are seeing it in a wrong perspective:
Security - Who would want to put a bomb in a Portuguese airfield or airstrip? The winning media exposure wouldn't cover the costs.
Cost - It created a bigger influx of tourists to Madeira so it was a sound and not so terribly expensive enterprise. Now the Corrupts, sorry, I mean, the Politics in Madeira, those yes, they almost sank the island.
Local Folklore - There are some pillars in that strip, that if you are with your ear pressed against them at the moment the plane touches down, you can ear it all. The engines, the brakes, the wind.
Abosulety impossible to image what it is hidden under a third of the runway of this airport from Google Earth Really impressive!
Spanish tourism chiefs?Who would want to put a bomb in a Portuguese airfield or airstrip?
this I meant
Attachment 55076
You need to check out a show on the Discovery Channel (I thing) called Deadlest airports. There is one in the Apls of France that is like a washboard and planes fly in and out of there.
Sorry its Worlds Most Extream Airports. Here is the link.
10 Most Extreme Airports [HD]
And I must say Mareira wine is very good to make a porkchop dish I learned.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=fLphTxDix-c
Here is the link to the History Channel Extreme Airports. It is # 9 (2nd) on this video.
Madeira Wine is good, Rob.
But I must take you to some special alcoholic places if you ever come to Portugal.
Sounds good to me Joaquim, but I'm not sure about being able to come to Portugal my friend.
We may, however, be going to Spain next year with some friends. I n the meantime have a look at this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPbkchgACw
Rob.
Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 08-02-2012 at 01:53.
To Spain where? Near Portugal?
Not sure yet Quim. We have been invited to go with our friends Dragon one and Two, so they will be in charge of the show.
Rob.
Maybe you can meet me near the border, when you do come to Spain. I would be very happy in meeting you all (several times) during my lifetime.
Nice!!
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