Accounting 2008-3-13 08:38 PM
Worlds Shortest Scheduled Flight
[align=center][size=7][b][u]Worlds ShortestScheduled Flight[/u][/b][/size][/align][align=center][table=98%] [tr] [td=1,1,50%][img=402,412]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/track1.jpg[/img][/td] [td=1,1,50%][font=Arial]Orkney boasts the record of having the worlds shortest scheduled flight between Papa Westray and Westray islands. This route is flown by Loganair pilots using Britten-Norman Islander twin-engined aircraft, and typical flight times for passengers is between two to three minutes! The distance between the two airfields is about one and a half nautical miles. The route was once accomplished in 58 seconds by Capt. Andrew Alsop.[/font][font=Arial]In summer 2003, we took the opportunity to fly this route ourselves in our Jodel. A Westerly wind allowed us to take off from Papa Westray and land at Westray with only slight heading changes required. From takeoff to touchdown took us two minutes and two seconds! The fact that the runways are quite small made it even more exciting![/font]
[font=Arial]I filmed the whole flight on video and originally intended to upload the video file to the internet. However, as the file is so large I have decided to show a series of screenshots taken from the video instead, showing the flight.[/font]
[/td] [/tr][/table][/align][align=center][table=98%] [size=6][b]Track Flown:-[/b][/size] [tr] [td][url=http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/groundtrack.htm][img=150,168]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/Groundtrack_thumb.jpg[/img][/url][/td] [td=1,1,200]Left : Photo showing the track flown from start to finish in red. Papa Westray is at the bottom, with Westray at the top. Click on the picture to enlarge.[/td] [td][url=http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/groundtrack2.htm][img=150,113]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/Groundtrack2_thumb.jpg[/img][/url][/td] [td=1,1,200]Left: Photo showing Westray airfield in more detail. Track flown during landing is shown in red. Click on the picture to enlarge.[/td] [/tr][/table][/align][align=center][size=6][b]Papa Westray to WestrayFlight:-[/b][/size][/align] [table=98%][tr] [td][img=320,240]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/001.jpg[/img][font=Arial][u]Start of video - Beginning of takeoff run from Papa Westray (Westray is visible on the horizon)[/u][/font]
[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][img=320,240]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/002.jpg[/img][font=Arial][u]12 secs into video - Just after takeoff, and accelerating over airfield to build up speed[/u][/font]
[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][img=320,240]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/003.jpg[/img][font=Arial][u]20 secs into video - Climbing out over the airfield boundary at 60kts[/u][/font]
[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][img=320,240]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/004.jpg[/img][font=Arial][u]29 secs into video - Climbing out with Westray airfield at top right of image[/u][/font]
[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][img=320,240]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/005.jpg[/img][font=Arial][u]34 secs into video - Turning slightly right to align with runway at Westray[/u][/font]
[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][img=320,240]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/006.jpg[/img][font=Arial][u]1 minute into video - Ligned up with runway at Westray for landing[/u][/font]
[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][img=320,240]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/007.jpg[/img][font=Arial][u]1 min 30 secs into video - Getting closer![/u][/font]
[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][img=320,240]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/008.jpg[/img][font=Arial][u]2 mins into video - Approaching the runway threshold for landing[/u][/font]
[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][img=320,240]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/009.jpg[/img][font=Arial][u]2 mins 5 secs into video - Passing over the airfield boundary[/u][/font]
[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][img=320,240]http://www.alanmoar.flyer.co.uk/orkney/Shortestflight/010.jpg[/img][font=Arial][u]2 mins 14 secs into video - Touchdown![/u][/font]
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