Shortest paved runway in the world?

Rotten Ralph · Post by **Rotten Ralph** » 08 Sep 2007, 16:51

Looking at portland naval base (Portland, Dorset, UK) & it looks like it has the shortest paved runway that I have ever seen. Anyone know of a shorter one anywhere ?
To see it, look on google maps UK & type in portland.

dave lock

CelticWarrior · Post by **CelticWarrior** » 08 Sep 2007, 17:46

In the eighties I made a few approaches to that 'runway', it was weird popping out of cloud at 150ft above the sea and seeing just that strip of land with that tiny runway, the perspective made it feel as if you were shallow on the glide slope. It wasn't used for fixed wing, purely for running take-offs and running landings for helicopters, but the airfield had full radar facilities. The RN Lynx fleet was based there, now all moved to Yeovilton. AFAIK there is no RN presence at Portland any more, certainly not aviation, I believe that HM Coastguard have a SAR S-61 based there now. The shrinking military

Post by **VulcanDriver** » 08 Sep 2007, 18:50

That's correct. The only aviation are the S-61s based there for the HMCG. One is on SAR duties and the others are in for maintenance.

John

Rotten Ralph · Post by **Rotten Ralph** » 08 Sep 2007, 19:24

I was wondering why I didn`t see anything there from the road. What is the correct length of thr RWY, as I have read that the smallest paved runway in the world is 1300 ft.

dave

CelticWarrior · Post by **CelticWarrior** » 08 Sep 2007, 20:16

I'm not sure what the runway length is, not sure if it would be classed as a runway anyway. I can find out, but not for a while as I'm off on holiday tonight.

If you Google Earth to Yeovilton (type in EGVL) you'll see 2 Lynx flying southwest just south of the intersection. That image is pretty old too as there haven't been any SHAR at VL for quite a while.

Cary

Post by **VulcanDriver** » 08 Sep 2007, 20:56

Portland runway is 229 x 50 metres according to the VFR Guide.

HTH

John

Rotten Ralph · Post by **Rotten Ralph** » 09 Sep 2007, 03:20

Thanks for the info guy`s. I was just interested as I was working at the qinetiq ranges for the last few days at portland bill & passed it on the way in & out.

dave