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Runway 25/07 - 5525ft/1684m x 46m

The runway was re-designated from 26/08 to 25/07 over the weekend of  10/11 December 1988.  Approaches to 07 are offset to avoid confliction with Heathrow and aircraft turn on to the final approach heading at four miles.  Prescision Approach Talkdown's are available to both runways.  Arrestor beds have been installed at both ends of the runway.
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An Instrument Landing System was installed on runway 25 during August 1999. It was flight checked on 1st/2nd September and declared operational.
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Disused Runway 31/13 - 4800ft/1464m

Aircraft Parking

The ASP was resurfaced during 1992/3, the eastern half being done beginning  16/11/92 and the western half from 13/04/93 to 20/08/93. The eastern half was then closed again until 14/09/93, when all the area was again available. During this period runway 30 south of 26 was regularly used for aircraft parking, in addition to the area of the pan open at the time.

Terminal Building

Government press releases on the subject can be seen at:
http://www.coi.gov.uk/coi/depts/GDT/coi0846c.ok
http://www.coi.gov.uk/coi/depts/GDT/coi5849a.ok

A civil enclave has been mooted on occasion.  This would have been a separate, fenced off area guarded by RAF security, similar to that once in force at Farnborough, but was decided against due to high costs of setting up the operation and security, plus the limited number of permitted movements would not be enough to make the idea financially attractive. This is also referred to in the above press release.

However, a measure to 'assist' business aviation was announced, in as much that an extention to the opening hours was introduced under a six month trial. The airfield opened to visitors at 07.00 instead of the previous 08.00, from 1st October 1996 to 31st May 1997. The matter is currently being assessed as to the success of the scheme and whether it will be permenantly introduced. Government figures show that 153 additional civil movements were attracted by the earlier opening, of which 80 were new business and 73 were movements that would otherwise have taken place after 0800. The expected protests from local residents were made when the trial was announced, with the usual reasons put forward, noise, safety etc.

In effect the scheme resulted in a small number of earlier aircraft movements. It seems to have been particularly useful for aircraft positioning in from Heathrow, where slots are harder, if not impossible to get later on. The press release also refers to other measures under consideration, such as basing civil aircraft at Northolt.

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Local Residents

Northolt has long been the focus for verciferous attacks from local residents associations.  Objections are made to almost any plan put forward, with wild suggestions in the past that Northolt would become another Heathrow, handling jumbo jets! Photo's had been published in the local papers showing Northolt overlaid with a B707! (see below).

A government committee has suggested that Northolt could become a 'feeder' airport for Heathrow which provoked much of the above reaction.  This report can be read by following this link.

Unfortunately the Learjet incident only reinforced the residents rantings, claiming that opening the airfield earlier would lead to more aircraft accidents during the rush hours on adjacent roads(!)

During the six month trial mentioned above, a  'noise line' was set up to gather complaints on the earlier opening hours, but considering the relatively small number of movements it would be interesting to see the results.

As usual, it is the few vocal nimby's, ignorant of the reality of aircraft operations that create the most noise, which is then sensationalised by the local papers.

NB: A PAN AM B707 did land at Northolt on 25th October 1960, thinking it was Heathrow. It came to a stop 100 yards from the end of the runway and was flown out empty two hours later!