Glw Apt 2020 September

Intro* // Rapidly changing international travel restrictions (testing, self-isolation, quarantine and no travel insurance) have cut weak demand even further driving huge gouges into the finances of airlines, airports, hotels and all tourism venues. It would appear that every airline’s proposed restart date is drifting to the right not just by days but by weeks even months and planned frequencies are being significantly reduced. Below: Passengers queuing in the West Pier as they wait to board.

A stark measure of the current situation is the number of inbound flight plans that were submitted for Glasgow this July, only 854 compared to 4,181 in July 2019, a whopping drop of just under 80%. The CAA tables for the same period confirm the trend with just 68,000 passengers transiting the terminal which is down 93% on July 2019. As a comparison Edinburgh`s July 2020 tally was 169,000, down 89% with Prestwick at 14,000, a drop of 83%. August showed Glasgow recording 163,000 passengers in the month down 82% on August 2019, Edinburgh 315,000 down 79% and Prestwick 13,000, which is down 84%.

Restrictions on people visiting other households were reintroduced in Glasgow city, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire on 2 September after concerns about the rise in the number of cases, not only in Scotland, but across the UK. etc* // (Above Image © Glasgow Herald).

By the 20th of September, the global number of Coronavirus infections had topped 30 million and more than 942,000 people have died since the outbreak began in China late last year. With regard to Europe, the World Health Organisation's regional director Hans Kluge said that in the preceding two weeks the number of new cases had doubled in more than half of the member states. The surging figures should serve as "a wake-up call". // COVID end of September latest //

The US death toll from the pandemic passed 200,000 this month with the country`s total infection rate fast approaching 7 million. Cases are rising in 24 states, Washington, DC, and two territories, and there are now more than 59,000 cases of Coronavirus on college campuses after many schools decided to open despite adopting insufficient safety measures. As usual, there`s no visible sign of concern from the White House about the deteriorating COVID situation, possibly played down even more than usual as the latest development coincides with the latest round in the presidential race in which Donald Trump is trying to convince voters that the worst of the emergency has passed. In typical Trump style, the President said in an interview with a local Fox station in Detroit "I think we've done an amazing job ... in my opinion we're rounding the turn." Just a few days before he had claimed the virus "affects virtually nobody" - a staggering comment on the eve of such a tragic milestone.

Rest-and-be-Thankful info*

In the ongoing battle against global warming the aviation sector has long since been regarded as one of the main contributors to the deteriorating situation. Now, aerospace giant Airbus has unveiled plans for what it hailed as the first commercial zero-emission aircraft. The company said one or more of its three ZEROe hydrogen-fuelled concept designs could be in service as passenger planes by 2035. Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury said the use of hydrogen had "the potential to significantly reduce aviation's climate impact", however, analysts point out that it is not the first time that hydrogen has been touted as the saviour of modern air travel. The history of the fuel in aviation goes back to the days of airships in the early 20th Century, but the Hindenburg disaster in 1937 brought that era to an end. More recently, from 2000 to 2002, Airbus was involved in the EU-funded Cryoplane project, which studied the feasibility of a liquid hydrogen-fuelled aircraft but the idea fell out of favour again - until now.

(Above image © Airbus)

The new designs are the result of a joint research project that Airbus launched with easyJet last year to consider hybrid and electric aircraft given mounting pressure to find a solution to more sustainable air travel. Unveiling its latest blueprints, Airbus said its turbofan design could carry up to 200 passengers more than 2,000 miles, while a turboprop concept would have a 50% lower capacity and range. A third, `blended-wing body` aircraft was the most eye-catching of the three designs. All three planes would be powered by gas-turbine engines modified to burn liquid hydrogen, and through hydrogen fuel cells to create electrical power. Airbus accepted that for the idea to work, airports would have to invest large sums of money in refuelling infrastructure.

Up until now, it appeared that Loganair had managed to weather the COVID storm relatively unscathed but early this month chief executive Jonathan Hinkles revealed that the company had been left with "no option" but to enter into a consultation process for 68 roles at risk of redundancy. Citing the Coronavirus pandemic as the "biggest ever" challenge in the airline`s 58-year history, he warned that staff at airports in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Inverness may be affected.

The company said 23 of the roles under threat are in Chester, which it plans to close altogether, with the remainder in Scotland. Loganair currently employs around 850 people across its network and Mr Hinkles said the company would look at relocation options for staff whose jobs were at risk. Other employees have agreed to a 20% pay cut over the winter season, while the launch of a skills retention programme, would provide wages and continuity of employment until next spring for a 40 further employees for whom there is currently no work. (to edit)*

Ground handling agents Swissport and Menzies have been particularly badly hit by job losses etc*

It`s not only aerial re-starts that struggled this month. On Thursday 3 September, a total of 17 people have been injured after the paddle steamer Waverley collided with Brodick Pier in Arran. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said "a number have been taken to hospital" following the incident. People stranded in Arran were later due to be returned to the mainland by an emergency sailing of a CalMac ferry. Police, paramedics, coastguards and rescue helicopters were scrambled to the scene after the alarm was raised at about 17:15. MCA said it was believed that 213 passengers and 26 crew were on board the vessel when it struck the pier. Waverley finally sets sail after two years 'Save the Waverley' appeal launched. (to edit)*

"Then there was a sudden crash, a loud bang, and the boat stopped very quickly. I saw people falling and it was quite distressing." He added: "There was a lady that I saw who literally flew past the window." Mr McWilliams said that, several hours after the accident, passengers were still milling about the ferry terminal at Brodick. He said it was unclear if they would be able to leave the island or whether accommodation could be found for them. Transport Secretary Michael Matheson later tweeted to say arrangements had been made for CalMac to operate an emergency sailing to take the Waverley passengers back to the mainland. "We were actually queued up waiting to get in when it crashed," she said. "It came in bow first. It came in far too fast." "We saw a lot of people falling, a few people fell over. There were people taken away in ambulances. "We saw a lot of people, pretty badly shaken, coming off." The ship was due to into Brodick at about 17.00 after leaving Greenock in the morning. "It just crashed into the pier when it was coming back from the Holy Isle.

The Waverley set sail for the first time in two years less than two weeks ago, an event which was itself delayed due to an "unexpected technical and administration issue". The ship, described as the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, missed the 2019 season as it waited for urgent repairs. A funding appeal was launched in June 2019 and it hit its target in December after receiving a £1m grant from the Scottish government to help with the restoration. This paddle steamer, built by A & J Inglis of Glasgow and first launched in October 1946, has been involved in accidents before. It struck the breakwater at Dunoon with 700 passengers on board, 12 of whom suffered minor injuries, in June 2009 In July 1977 it was badly damaged when it struck rocks near Dunoon. (to edit)*

In 2017, it was involved in another incident when it crashed into the pier at Rothesay. // Seventeen people were hurt when the newly-relaunched paddle steamer, Waverley, crashed into a pier in Arran, Scotland. Emergency services were called to Brodick Pier at about 5.28pm on Thursday. A total of 17 people reported injuries, and a number were taken to hospital. An image published by The Ardrossan Herald showed damage to the bow of the vessel, the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer.

A coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick was sent, along with Arran coastguard rescue team. // Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland also attended. Although most passengers only suffered minor cuts and bruises, several with head and spinal injuries spent the night in hospital. (to edit)*

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been informed. // The recently relaunched Waverley Steamer has cancelled the rest of its sailings this season after it crashed into a pier on Arran. Emergency services were called to Brodick Pier at around 5.28pm on Thursday. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said 213 passengers and 26 crew were on board at the time of the collision. Of those, 24 people reported injuries and were treated at the scene with a number taken to hospital on Arran or on the mainland by helicopter. "A Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick and two Scottish Ambulance choppers were sent, along with Arran coastguard rescue team. (to edit)* (Waverley images © Herald Scotland).

Still on a nautical theme, // Crew isolating after sailors test positive on HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier // The 65,000-tonne ship is currently in Portsmouth where it was due to leave for training exercises, but will now depart on Tuesday. Several sailors have tested positive for coronavirus on the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, the Ministry of Defence has said. "Fewer than ten" of the 1,000-strong group tested positive for COVID-19 on the ship, after the entire crew was swabbed for the virus before its latest deployment. (Above image © Sky News).

Those that tested positive have been taken ashore to isolate in barracks. The ship's planned sailing has been pushed back 24 hours and around 100 more crew are isolating onboard after coming into contact with those that tested positive. The 65,000-tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently in Portsmouth where it was due to leave for training exercises, but will now depart on Tuesday. It is the second time it has had to delay sailing due to coronavirus, after two crew members tested positive in April. A Royal Navy spokesman said: "A small number of HMS Queen Elizabeth's personnel have tested positive for COVID during routine preparation for sailing. `Big Liz` is seen here alongside her sister HMS Prince of Wales at Portsmouth last month being prepared for sea. (Above image © Steve Moyes). (to edit)*.

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Jet Airliners

Above: Operating a Shuttle service, British Airways Airbus A320-251N G-TTNF sets off for London Heathrow on Saturday 19 September 2020.

This year has been a disaster for aviation but last year wasn`t a good one either. The Boeing 737 MAX, the company`s latest variant of its best-selling airliner, was grounded worldwide in March 2019 after a malfunctioning flight control system caused two of the planes to crash, in Ethiopia and Indonesia between November 2018 and March 2019, killing all 346 people on board.

Then came the news that as of 02:00 hrs on Monday 23 September 2019, the Thomas Cook Group, including the UK tour operator and airline, had ceased trading with immediate effect. All Thomas Cook bookings, including flights and holidays were cancelled worldwide with 22,000 staff, including 9,000 based in the UK, losing their jobs as a consequence. It left not only pilots, cabin crew and ground staff with shattered career plans. Around 600 high street travel stores closed and the domino effect following such a catastrophic collapse was huge, both at home and abroad with hundreds of smaller travel agents, suppliers and reliant businesses all affected.

It was obvious that major challenges lay ahead for the aviation industry, but no one could have envisaged the unprecedented situation the world now finds itself in thanks to COVID, not just with regard to travel but in all aspects of daily life.

When Thomas Cook collapsed last year, 600,000 people worldwide had their travel plans disrupted so the British government in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) initiated its biggest repatriation effort since the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Matterhorn, around 45 airliners, some from as far afield as the USA, North Africa and Malaysia, were chartered to bring back holidaymakers stranded overseas, free of charge.

Thomas Cook was subsequently bought by Chinese firm Fosun Tourism Group for £11 million and on 16 September this year Thomas Cook restarted operations as a holiday provider. The company doesn`t have any stores so packages are being sold online or over the telephone, initially to destinations on the government’s safe travel corridor list. The new website, which is licensed by the CAA and ATOL-protected, is offering customers thousands of hotels and flight routes so they can design their own holidays according to their budget, needs and specifications. Thomas Cook has managed to keep the brand’s original logo and is employing around 50 people.

The first weekend following the 2019 collapse, saw a scheduled Virgin Jumbo and various other large airliners including two A380s, either coming, going or parked-up, and there was a 24 hour period which must have seen the largest-ever number of wide-bodies (aircraft-wise) at Glasgow Airport. While the mass aerial repatriation was a spectacle that attracted not just aviation enthusiasts to many UK airports, it was something that no one would ever have wished for given the sad end for such an iconic British company and the detrimental impact it`s had on so many people`s lives.

September is usually when Renfrewshire Council hold their Doors Open Days which in recent years has included access to the old All Hallows Churchyard, a superb vantage point looking across the Black Cart Water to the Runway 23 threshold. The shot of the A380 on the right was taken from there last September but thanks to the pandemic it`s going to be a very long time before the public can access this location again.

On Wednesday 9 August 2020, all but one of the BA airliners in long term storage on Taxiway Y were towed to stands on the terminal-side of the airfield.

The only one left on the north side was Airbus A321-231 G-EUXK (above). G-EUXD is pictured below on the West Apron before it was joined by the others.

The following gallery features some of the first BA aircraft to arrive for storage back in March this year...

easyJet will dispose of at least 34 aircraft before the end of the year. Some deals are already complete, such as a batch for United Airlines, but nine A320s will also leave the fleet. The airline has also completed deals for the sale-and-leaseback of five Airbus A321neo aircraft, concluding a programme of such transactions covering a total of 23 aircraft. The five A321neos – ranging from five to nine months in age – have been sold to Chinese company Bocomm Leasing, raising $266 million. The programme in total has raised $771 million, to “maximise liquidity” and strengthen the airline’s financial position. Roughly 50% of easyJet’s fleet is now leased, with the remainder owned by the airline.

Above: Titan Airways Airbus A321-211 G-POWN took Rangers FC to Eindhoven for a European match (23rd); // plus Titan Airways A321 G-POWN returned from Eindhoven with a victorious Rangers FC (25th); (to edit)*

As of the end of August, Air Transat consolidated its twice-weekly service to / from both Glasgow and Manchester by combining both on it`s Toronto route.

A321NX C-GOIH is pictured above, pushing back on the 17th.

The resumption of the A380 on the Emirates Dubai / Glasgow route, due to begin on 1 September, has been pushed back yet again. Currently there are four weekly Boeing 777 flights which will continue until the end of October, when the A380 is scheduled to return five times weekly until 26 November, before returning to daily. Edinburgh remains at daily from 1 October for the present, with this service being boosted by re-routed Newcastle passengers. This latest information is likely to change again. *

Movements intro - Airbus A321-271NX C-GOIJ Air Transat (3rd); Airbus A321-271NX C-GOIO Air Transat and A320-232 4X-ABG Israir (6th); Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-EPD Emirates (Expo 2020 blue livery) (plus other dates) (9th); Airbus A321-271NX C-GOIJ Air Transat (10th); Boeing 737-484 9H-MPW Air Horizont (15th); Boeing 777-31H(ER) A6-EPK Emirates (Expo 2020 blue) operated a morning cargo-only flight (16th); Airbus A321-271NX with registration C-GOIE Air Transat (17th); Airbus A320-251N G-UZLI (f/v) easyJet and Embraer ERJ-145LR G-CISK Eastern Airways (19th); Airbus A320-214(WL) OE-ICI (f/v) (Ex G-EZOZ) easyJet Europe (20th)...

Boeing 777-36N(ER) A6-ECD Emirates (Expo 2020 orange livery) (21st); Airbus A321-211 G-POWN Titan Airways took Rangers FC to Eindhoven for a European match (23rd); Boeing 737-8AS(WL) SP-RKI (f/v) Ryanair Sun, plus Titan Airways A321 G-POWN returned from Eindhoven (25th);

Above: Having appeared on Monday 31 August, Israir Airlines Airbus A320-232 4X-ABG returned on 6 September when I managed to get this photograph. The plane is seen here about 09:00 hrs shortly before push-back. I`ve snapped some of this carriers` fleet at Corfu Airport when on holiday. Israir and Arkia both operate scheduled services to the island during the summer months. This is 4X-ABF heading back to Tel Aviv on Sunday 4 June 2017. (use different shots (LINK)* (to edit).

Above: With KLM mostly operating four Embraer Cityhopper jets from Amsterdam Schiphol each day for the past couple of months, PH-BGC on Thursday 10 September was the first KLM Boeing 737 that I`d seen for a while. PH-BGK (below) appeared one week later.

Turboprop Airliners

Intro*

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Please bear in mind that all my images are subject to copyright. They are not free to use and have been embedded with a digital watermark.

Biz-Jets

Stopping over from last month were Gulfstream VI N8833 (above) and Embraer Phenom G-JMBO, both of which departed on the 1st.

Arriving the same day were Gulfstream G650ER VP-CYL, Bombardier Global 6000 CS-GLG, Dassault Falcon 2000EX CS-DFF, Cessna 750 Citation X D-BOOC Air X, Embraer Legacy 500 G-HARG and Embraer Phenom 300 CS-PHG (1st); // Bombardier Challenger 605 VP-BGM, Citation Bravo G-CMBC and Embraer Phenom 300 G-JMBO (3rd); Embraer Legacy 500 G-MRFX, Citation Bravo G-CMBC returned (plus other dates)*?? and Citation Mustang G-FFFC (4th); Learjet 60 N202N and Phenom 300 CS-PHH (5th); Gulfstream IV N60GG, Global 6000 CS-GLC and Hawker Beechcraft 400XP SP-TAT (6th); Gulfstream IV N450QS from Knock (7th); Embraer Legacy 650 G-SUGR Air Charter Scotland (8th); Gulfstream G100 OE-GKW Tyrol Air Ambulance and Eclipse 500 2-JEZA (9th); Embraer Phenom 300 M-YAIC (10th)...

Cessna Citation M2 G-CMTO and CitationJet CJ2 G-ZEUZ (11th); Cessna Citation XLS+ D-CANG Air Hamburg and Phenom 300 G-JMBO (plus other dates) (13th); Citation Sovereign SE-RFL and Citation M2 M-KNOX (14th); Dassault Falcon 8X G-GVOE and Citation XLS + D-CSCB (15th); Gulfstream IV-SP N91JS, Citation Excel G-SIRS and Citation Sovereign SE-RFL returned (16th); Bombardier Global Express XRS N93FX, Global 6000 CS-GLB, Citation Bravo G-CMBC and Citation XLS D-CHDJ (17th); Challenger 850 (Bombardier CRJ-200ER) 9H-AMY Air X Charter, Challenger 605 9H-VFG VistaJet, Challenger 604 T7-RAK, Cessna Citation XLS CS-DQA and Learjet 75 C-FGHL (18th); Bombardier Global 5000 CS-GLZ (20th)...

Learjet 60 N202N repositioned from Edinburgh on 5 September.

Raytheon 390 Premier I D-IMAU, plus Learjet 75 C-FGHL returned (21st); Citation Mustang OE-FWF (22nd); Challenger 604 D-AUKE, Citation Latitude CS-LTH, Citation Mustang OE-FZD and Citation Excel G-IPAX (23rd); Citation Latitude CS-LTM, plus Citation Excel G-IPAX returned (25th);

Above: Bombardier Challenger 605 VP-BGM is adorned with some pretty unusual tail art.

I caught Manx-registered Embraer Phenom 300 M-YAIC heading for Area Juliet shortly after it landed on 10 September.

Bombardier Global Express XRS N93FX*

General Aviation

Unfortunately I didn`t manage to photograph either of the vintage planes from the Aircraft Restoration Company which made brief, separate appearances at Glasgow Airport on Thursday 17 September. The first, Spitfire PR.XI PL983 (G-PRXI), emblazoned with `THANK U NHS` on the underside of its wings, did an impromptu go-around of Runway 05 at 14:25 hrs. Then, just over an hour later at 15:35 hrs, De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver AL.1 G-DHCZ, which I believe may have been operating as a camera platform / support aircraft, did a go-around of Runway 23.

(Image Credit: George Lewis Romain / ARCo)

The `NHS` Spitfire was built as a faster, non-armed, photo reconnaissance variant of the iconic WW2 fighter and sports the RAF`s wartime photo reconnaissance blue livery as originally worn. This particular veteran actually saw service in Europe during the conflict and subsequently in post war occupied Germany. Thereafter it changed hands many times, becoming a personal transport of an American Air Attaché then an air racer, piloted by wartime Air Transport Auxiliary pilot Lettice Curtis. The Spitfire was then passed to the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden, where it became an external static display. Detailed information on further changes of ownership and the lengthy restoration to flying condition can be found on the Aircraft Restoration Co`s website.

This Spitfire was etc // flying above hospitals across Scotland to thank NHS staff for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic. The words ‘THANK U NHS’ have been hand-written onto the plane, which is owned by the Aircraft Restoration Company. The plane took off from Duxford Airport in Cambridgeshire at 10am on Wednesday morning, embarking on a journey that will see it fly over 98 hospitals including 25 in Scotland. The public can also nominate names of loved ones to be written on the plane, which has an 80,000 name capacity, to raise money for NHS Charities Together. John Romain, founder and managing director of Aircraft Restoration Company, said: “The response to our initial flight over the last 8pm #clapforourcarers Thursday was incredibly humbling, with hundreds of people from the local community sharing how wonderful it was to not only see the Spitfire, but also to read the message emblazoned across its wings. (to edit)*

Above: A Heli-Med air ambulance chopper about to land on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital at Govan.

“After such (a) positive response we decided to leave the message painted on the Spitfire for the rest of the flying season; this is where the idea to handwrite the names of the nation’s loved ones onto the aircraft to raise money for the NHS Charities Together began.” The company says the aim of the flight is to lift the spirits of those across the UK, whilst also thanking the hospitals, communities and individuals who have been at the forefront of getting the country through the pandemic. During the 1940’s, Spitfire funds were set up by local communities around the UK and commonwealth countries to encourage a sense of purpose and hope in the struggle against adversity. // NHS flypasts etc // Heading north from Cumbernauld Airport in the morning It took in numerous hospitals between Edinburgh and Elgin before landing at Inverness. // Takes off from Inverness Airport – 1.30pm
Stirling Community Hospital – 2pm
Forth Valley Hospital – 2.03pm
New Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow – 2.08pm
Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow – 2.10pm
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow – 2.12pm
Laverndale Hospital, Paisley – 2.14pm
Dykebar Hospital, Paisley – 2.15pm
Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley – 2.17pm
University Hospital Hairmyres, East Kilbride – 2.20pm
Lands at Cumbernauld Airport – 2.25pm (to edit)*

These shots are all © www.aircraftrestorationcompany.com. The website has detailed information on all the company`s aircraft and some superb photos.

Then, at 15:35 hrs, De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver AL.1 G-DHCZ did a go-around of Runway 23. This aircraft dates from 1961. It was originally produced as XP772 for the Army Air Corps. It was subsequently written off in Sudan in May 1974, becoming an instructional airframe at Middle Wallop until going into storage with the Museum of Army Flying in 1980. Between 1983 and 1992 the Beaver was on display with the Army Transport Museum, first at Leconfield and later at Beverley, before returning to Middle Wallop as a reserve aircraft for the AAC Historic Flight. In 1998 it was sold off to Duxford based ‘Propshop Ltd’ and was given its current registration in 2006.

Still on the subject of charity fundraising, Kickboxing champion Carl Thomas, 35, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, completed a marathon while pulling a 1.25-tonne Cessna up and down the airfield at Elvington, near York. Mr Thomas had hoped to use a lighter plane, but after that became unavailable he decided on this one. The plan was to cover the marathon distance in 24 hours by completing two-mile loops of the airfield without any assistance at the turns. After building up momentum he managed to reach speeds of 2 miles per hour.

The feat is part of his efforts to raise £250,000 for Ollie’s Army, a charity that supports a family who have two children with Batten’s disease, a fatal disorder of the nervous system. Mr Thomas is undertaking 10 charity challenges and hopes to raise £1 million over 10 years. He has previously run 10 marathons in 10 days and cycled 1,500 miles in 10 days.

Resident Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow III G-EGPF previously bore the Swedish registration SE-GVV.

King Air 200 G-CWCD (1st); AgustaWestland AW109SP GrandNew G-DAYF (3rd); Agusta AW109SP GrandNew G-SGRP (6th); Pilatus PC-12s OY-EUR and G-OMSL (7th); Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain G-IFIT, King Air 200 G-DXTR, Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga II G-JAFS and Agusta A109S Grand (9th); Pilatus PC-12s G-OMSL (plus other dates) and M-YBLS, plus Sikorsky S-76-C++ G-XXED call-sign `TQF 1` of the Queen`s Helicopter Flight (10th); Cessna 182R Skylane G-BKKP (13th); Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II G-RVLX and King Air 200 G-FLYW (16th); King Air 350 G-SRBM (17th); Pilatus PC-12 G-KARE and King Air 200 G-CDZT. I also saw Charity Air Ambulance H135 G-SCAA heading east above the Clyde at Erskine in the afternoon. It may have been inbound to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital at Govan, rather than the airport (22nd); Cessna T303 Crusader G-CMOS. plus Czech Sportcruiser G-DVOY did a go-around of Runway 23 (23rd); King Air 350 G-SRBM (plus other dates ??*(25th);

Czech Sportcruiser G-DVOY did a go-around of Runway 23 at ?? on the 23rd.

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Military

Intro?? * The first military visitor this month was RAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III ZZ171 `Ascot 803` called in on Thursday 10 September. Army Air Corps Westland Apache AH.1 ZJ197 call-sign `Machete One` appeared late on Friday 11 September, staying until 00:30 hrs the following morning. The advanced attack helicopter`s departure was in between training go-arounds of Runway 23 by RAF Beech Shadow R1 (Super King Air 350C) ZZ417 `Snake 47` which took place at 00:25 and 00:45 hrs on the 12th. I didn`t manage to photograph ZJ197 when it visited Glasgow Airport but it was identical to the machine shown above which put on an impressive display at last year`s Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford. More shots and information on the event, possibly the last for a while, can be viewed here: RIAT 2019. (to edit)*

Almost a year ago to the day, on the afternoon of Saturday 7 September, I was at the old churchyard under the `23` approach, thanks to the Renfrewshire Doors Open Day, when a pair of Apache gunships overflew the airport from west to east. They remained quite high and even a long telephoto lens was insufficient to enable identification. I assumed they were British rather than US Army machines.

On Tuesday 15th September 2020, German Air Force Airbus A319-133(CJ) 15+02 call-sign `GAF 884` did a touch-and-go on Runway 23 at 10:45 hrs, plus Grob G-115E Tutor T1 G-BYWS of the University Air Squadron (UAS) called in for a time. It was followed by G-BYXA on the 16th which returned on the 22nd. Boeing C-17A Globemaster III ZZ174 `Ascot 6681` overflew just west of the airport at 37,000 ft about 19:50 hrs on Thursday 17 September as the light began to fade. FR24 showed that it had taken off from Keflavik, no doubt returning to base after a flight to the USA or Canada.

UAS Grob Tutor G-BYWI visited on the 23rd, then on Friday 25 September, RAF C-130J Hercules ZH888 `Comet 132` did a spot of training.

Construction & Development

Views of the development etc and around the perimeter*

Scottish Water, the country`s biggest user of energy, has set out its plan for decarbonising five years ahead of the government's target. More renewable energy, tree planting and peat bog restoration will help the organisation reach net-zero by 2040 but the shift to green electricity requires major investment and bills will rise as a consequence. More than a billion litres of water is consumed daily in Scotland and shifting it around uses lots of energy. The whole operation generates the equivalent of approximately 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide - roughly the same as 40,000 car journeys around the world. I took the aerial view above in March last year. The Erskine water treatment plant, which is situated opposite the Titan Crane, can be seen on the left.

Scottish water operates 239 drinking water treatment works and 1,827 waste water sites across Scotland, but already some sites, like the Erskine waste water treatment works, at the Clyde / Cart confluence, are being redesigned to be powered by solar panels. Others facilities are being replaced by ones using more efficient treatment methods.

Scottish Water owns a significant amount of land across the country and says it has already seen a 45% reduction in operational emissions since 2007 with 53GWh of renewable energy produced annually on its sites. It plans to increase that figure, using 2007 as the baseline, to 60% by 2025 and 75% by 2030. The legislation stipulating the reduced carbon emission targets will also cover the Scottish government, local authorities and organisations like Police Scotland and the fire service.