Jan Mayensfield
Jan Mayensfield | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Military | ||||||||||
| Operator | Norwegian Armed Forces | ||||||||||
| Location | Olonkinbyen, Jan Mayen, Norway | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 70°57′40″N 08°34′33″W / 70.96111°N 8.57583°W | ||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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Jan Mayensfield (ICAO: ENJA) is an aerodrome serving Olonkinbyen in Jan Mayen, Norway. Operated by the Norwegian Armed Forces, it serves the island's only population, the combined military and meteorological station. The airport is served by Lockheed C-130 Hercules from Bodø Main Air Station, which operate about six times a year to provide supplies and change crew at the outpost.
History
In 1958, NATO and the Norwegian Armed Forces started construction of a military communications outpost at Olonkinbyen. At first a LORAN-A transmitter was built,[1] and then in 1960 the construction of the LORAN-C transmitter commenced.[2] In August, it was announced that the island would receive an aerodrome to allow continual operation of the transmitter.[3] Originally, the aerodrome consisted of a 1,200 by 30 metres (3,937 by 98 ft) section of the island's dirt road. This allowed for less bureaucracy during construction. The first aircraft to land was a Consolidated PBY Catalina of the RNoAF on 17 September 1960.[4]
The first civilian aircraft was a Douglas DC-4 operated by Braathens SAFE, which landed on 29 October 1961 with some journalists on board. The head officer of the Norwegian military's communications division was later criticized by the Chief of Defence of Norway, who concluded "Gentlemen, I will not have any construction of airports on Norwegian soil by the Communications Division without the plans being presented to the Central Command." Aircraft gradually took over more of the transport to the island, and from 1973 only diesel oil and special freight was transported by ship. From 1970, the standard aircraft used by the RNoAF to Jan Mayen was the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.[4]
Facilities
The airport's only regular service is the Royal Norwegian Air Force's Lockheed C-130 Hercules,[5] which operate to the island about every two months.[6] The aircraft are part of the No. 335 Squadron RNoAF, based at Gardermoen Air Station,[5] although the flights from Jan Mayen operate from Bodø Main Air Station.[7]
The airport has changing weather conditions, a lot of fog and often has a Kármán wind. The Kármán wind is created in the wake of the Beerenberg volcano, resulting in regular vortex streets and lee-waves. This can cause sudden change to the wind direction on the island.[6]
Accidents and incidents
- In 1991, a C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Royal Norwegian Air Force almost crashed after take off due to Karman wind suddenly shifting.[6]
References
- ^ Barr (1991): 236
- ^ Barr (1991): 245
- ^ Barr (1991): 247
- ^ a b Barr (1991): 245
- ^ a b "Gamle, men gode transportfly" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Armed Forces. 31 October 2002. Archived from the original on 23 April 2004. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ a b c "Airfield" (in Norwegian). Jan-Mayen.no. 9 April 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Barr (1991): 254
Bibliography
- Barr, Susan (1991). Jan Mayen (in Norwegian). Oslo: Schibsted. ISBN 82-516-1353-1.