Another day in paradise (aka Kirkwall Airport)

Eligible bachelor of the week

Just kidding.  I took a picture of Tant Black, who is a ground handler working between national and inter-island flights at the moment.  Always good to have someone around with a sense of humour.

Being serious for a moment, one of the other ground handlers from the inter-island team,  was taken ill on wednesday with a suspected aneurysm.  He flew off this morning to Aberdeen for scans.  I and all other of his colleagues wish him a speedy recovery.

We also have the return of Captain Malcolm Hempsell who has returned to Orkney from flying Saabs to take the controls of an Islander again.  He is replacing Captain Ian Potten who is leaving shortly to take up post with the British Antartic Survey team at the South Pole. 

Anyway, planes!  Iam not sure if I have got to grips with my new camera yet but we had a few extra bits and bobs this week.  The first being G-OMGI, a B200 from Northern Aviation based at Tees Valley Airport near Darlington.

Shortly after we had an unexpected visitor from Aberdeen which diverted to Kirkwall as it was unable to continue to Shetland because of fog.  This is G-TBIC operated by Flightline

And a close up shot approaching the apron

The weather yesterday in Shetland meant we stayed open late to accept a couple of diversions meaning a very busy apron this morning.  4 Saabs, 1 for Edinburgh, 1 for Aberdeen, 2 for Shetland, A F406 from Inverness and the inter island aircraft.  Not bad for the beginning of a work day.

And one for the album G-LGNM

The figures have been published for the last year and Kirkwall has had another record year with the number of passengers increasing by nearly nine percent to just under 150,000 and 15,600 or so aircraft movements.  Fantastic news.

Thats all for this week, thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Regards

Neil