First Virgin Blue E-jet into Port Macq

[Matt_L]

Here is a video of VBS E170 first flight into PMQ,
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=PpUftG_mxg8
in wet conditions for anyone interested.
The landing is rough, and the plane shimmies more times than i can count on my two hands, more times then i did in my cessna 152 on first solo anyways
The surface of PMQ runway must be in terrible condition and in urgent need of some flattening/evening or the sort as floody advocated on the old forums, it just seems odd seeing an embraer at such a run down strip.
Regards,
Matt

[Mick F]

Matt,
Apparently the runway now has a fresh seal on it and the runway is now a lot smoother. The airport is currently undergoing some massive upgrading, to the runways, taxiways, aprons and also a new terminal as well.

Floody

The 170 looks smaller on youtube

[Hugh Jarse]

I always thought that they'd strike an engine at PMQ because of the shocking runway there.

Can confirm that it is significantly better now that it has been redone. The best in the 14 years I've been going there!

I always compared the runway there to the deck of HMS Invincible - (complete with a ski jump to launch Harriers in the Falkland Islands war). We always seemed to hit the ski jump on the runway about 10 knots before V1

Thank God it's gone.

[NickN]

Fantastic video, she definately looks to be bouncing all over the place!

[Rhys Xanthis]

I swear it is the weirdest looking plane i have ever ever seen.

[Adrian B]

Reailsing that the google Earth images are a little old sometimes, a look at YPMQ shows the RWY 10/28 to be inoperative. is tis till the case, and did the arrival of Virgan blue have a role in that?

[Mick F]

Runway 10/28 is still operative. You've probably just seen some white crosses on the runway, which are placed there when the runway is wet and not useable.

Floody

[Adrian B]

Thanks floody