Flying to Calypso’s Isle

An Opportunity
Presented by Roy Perry
24th April 2008
 Looking back…the 20th
Century

 1932 Italian seaplane lands off

Mgarr…
 1943 US Forces build airfield
on Gozo
 1968 Malta-Gozo airline
formed
 1987 Helicopter shuttle starts
 1996 New heliport opened
 LOST OPPORTUNITIES
 1971 New government cancels
LET’S
airfield SEE WHAT
project.
COULD
 2005 BE helicopter
Original DONE service
ends, post-EU
Gozo to improve
commerce
 2006 Replacement and tourism
falls foul of oil
the
goes island’s
into
price increase
decline.

access and amenities

HOW ABOUT A NEW HELICOPTER
SERVICE?

 Costs of up to $1000 per hour +

 Few civil helicopters can carry 18

passengers and freight regularly.
 Regulations require twin engine
operation. Ground handling can
be hazardous.
The latest Eurocopter
 Where would planes
land?
 Flat and level site
 Measuring at least 1500m x 250m
 No close aerial obstacles (power
and phone lines, towers etc.)
 Close to a main road
 Not in an archaeological,
cultural or farming area.
 The best (possibly only) site -
where there’s already a
passenger terminal…
ACTUAL AIRFORCE SITE IN 1943 & WHERE THE AIRFIELD WAS TO
BE PLACED IN 1969 (SOUTH OF THE EXISTING HELIPAD - top right)
Photo Capt. Victor G. Mercieca.
 What aircraft types?
 A few types have been
developed for a regional
service.

1. The Britten-Norman Aircraft are

serving island communities
throughout the world…
Trislander in ‘Gozo Air’
colours

 Easy to board, cheap to run, proven

very reliable.
 17 passengers + luggage.
2. For longer routes – LET
410
19 passengers and a crew of two

A range of more than 1000 Km

Yet can land or take off in c.700 mtrs

 Perhaps a cautious
start...

3. The Cessna Caravan models

carry eight plus luggage in a
pannier and are in use worldwide.
Hidden Benefits: an airfield
site
can have many other uses
 Very large underground
reservoir and filtration plant -
could supply water all year to
farmers.
 Parkland for leisure and sport.

 Recreational and private flying

facilities (inc.Air Racing, Sky
Diving and Rallies).
 Residential ‘hangar homes’ for
…any questions?
....some airports in ‘tight spots’
Compiled by Roy Perry. Tel. 00356 21554153 Email: mercator@onvol.net.