C130J completes technical flight at St Helena Airport
A Lockheed Martin C130J Hercules aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force and commissioned by DFID, successfully conducted a technical flight at St Helena Airport from Sunday 18 (arriving at 13.23hrs) to this morning, Monday 19 December 2016, departing for Ascension Island at 10.23hrs.
Courtesy St Helena Government
The aircraft (above) carried out approaches to both runways, conducted a fly-by at 500 feet and a ‘teardrop’ turn - landing without problem on Runway 20, from the north.
A flight report will be provided to DFID - all part of helping St Helena Airport assess operating and landing factors and build a more comprehensive picture of the conditions under which a scheduled air service shall operate.
In November 2011, St Helena Government signed a Design, Build and Operate (DBO) contract with Basil Read (Pty) Ltd. The contract included £201.5 million for the design and construction of the airport, an additional amount - of up to - £10 million on shared risk contingency and £35.1 million for 10 years of operation.
The project aims to provide air services to St Helena, fulfilling the UK Government’s commitment to maintaining access to the Island and provide it with a real opportunity for economic growth through tourism.
Both the St Helena Government and the UK Government hope that this will lead to eventual financial self-sustainability for St Helena.