| Jan Mayensfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: none – ICAO: ENJA | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Military | ||
| Operator | Norwegian Armed Forces | ||
| Location | Olonkinbyen, Jan Mayen, Norway | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 39 ft / 12 m | ||
| Coordinates | 70°57′40″N 008°34′33″W / 70.96111°N 8.57583°WCoordinates: 70°57′40″N 008°34′33″W / 70.96111°N 8.57583°W | ||
| Map | |||
  ENJA Location on a map of the Arctic  ENJA | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| m | ft | ||
| 06–24 | 1,500 | 4,921 | Dirt |
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 at the combined military and meteorological station. It has a 1,500-meter (4,921 ft) dirt runway numbered 06–24.
The airfield was built in connection with the LORAN-C transmitter at Olonkinbyen and was completed in 1960. Jan Mayensfield is served eight times per year by Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft of the 335 Squadron from Bodø Main Air Station, which provide supplies and change crew at the outpost. The nearby Beerenberg volcano can cause a Kármán wind, which creates difficult landing conditions.
History[]
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Norwegian Armed Forces started construction of a military communications outpost at Olonkinbyen in 1958. At first a LORAN-A transmitter was built,[1] followed by a LORAN-C transmitter in 1960.[2] In August, it was announced that the island would receive an airfield 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 was chosen to reduce the bureaucracy of construction. The first aircraft to land was a Consolidated PBY Catalina of the Royal Norwegian Air Force on 17 September 1960.[2]
Map which includes the location of the airfield
The first civilian aircraft was a Douglas DC-4 operated by Braathens SAFE, which landed with some journalists on board on 29 October 1961.[2] Other early aircraft operating to Jan Mayen were the Grumman HU-16 Albatross and the Douglas DC-6.[4] The head officer of the Norwegian military's communications division was later criticized by Chief of Defence Bjarne Øen, 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."[2]
In 1970, a sudden eruption in Beerenberg forced the immediate evacuation of the station. A Hercules was dispatched to the island and successfully landed on the strip. Thereafter the Hercules became the regular military aircraft at Jan Mayen.[5] Aircraft gradually took over more of the transport to the island, and from 1973 all supplies except diesel and special freight was transported by ship.[2] From 1975 the 333 Squadron would occasionally drop mail and supplies using the P-3 Orion as a supplement to the landings of the Hercules.[6]
Facilities[]
Jan Mayensfield's single regular service is the Royal Norwegian Air Force's Lockheed C-130 Hercules,[7] which operate to the island eight times per year.[8] The aircraft are part of the 335 Squadron, based at Gardermoen Air Station,[7] although the flights from Jan Mayen operate from Bodø Main Air Station.[9] The runway is not open for commercial traffic,[10] although it can be used for research and search and rescue operations.[4]
The dirt runway is 1,500 by 30 meters (4,921 by 98 ft) being aligned 06–24.[11] Jan Mayensfield has variable 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.[4]
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.[4]
References[]
- ↑ Barr (1991): 236
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Barr (1991): 245
- ↑ Barr (1991): 247
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Airfield" (in Norwegian). Jan-Mayen.no. 9 April 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. http://www.webcitation.org/65uYucsG2. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ↑ Arheim (1994): 132
- ↑ Arheim (1994): 116
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Gamle, men gode transportfly" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Armed Forces. 31 October 2002. Archived from the original on 23 April 2004. http://web.archive.org/web/20040423120416/http://www.mil.no/start/article.jhtml?articleID=29551. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ↑ "Jan Mayens historie" (in Norwegian). County Governor of Nordland. 1 June 2007. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. http://www.webcitation.org/6BIHMZ5iC. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
- ↑ Barr (1991): 254
- ↑ "How to visit Jan Mayen" (in Norwegian). Jan-Mayen.no. 9 October 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. http://www.webcitation.org/6BIHYlWej. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
- ↑ "Jan Mayen, Jan Mayensfield" (in Norwegian). Norske Flyplasser. http://generator.firmanett.no/%28raiaulqdi5aths245ucxnbnm%29/generator.aspx?PID=177051&M=0. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
Bibliography[]
- Arheim, Tom; Hafsten, Bjørn; Olsen, Bjørn; Thuve, Sverre (1994) (in Norwegian). Fra Spitfire til F-16: Luftforsvaret 50 år 1944–1994. Oslo: Sem & Stenersen. ISBN 82-7046-068-0.
- Barr, Susan (1991) (in Norwegian). Jan Mayen. Oslo: Schibsted. ISBN 82-516-1353-1.
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The original article can be found at Jan Mayensfield and the edit history here.