Latest news with #DanielRoss
Scottish Sun
28-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
Inside world's shortest flight as 53-second Scots journey is still popular today
SHORT HAUL Inside world's shortest flight as 53-second Scots journey is still popular today Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND is home to the world's shortest commercial flight - and it only takes about a minute to reach your final destination. Running between the Orkney islands of Westray and Papa Westray, this flight serves as a crucial link between the two. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The speedy flight operates daily, with fares starting as low as £8 Credit: Alamy The entire journey lasts a total of 90 seconds from takeoff to landing, with just 53 seconds spent in the air. Operated by Loganair and Flybe, the Britten-Norman BN2B-26 Islander aircraft accommodates only ten passengers on the 1.7-mile route. The rapid flight operates daily, with fares starting as low as £8. For residents of both islands, there is no more affordable or convenient alternative. While a ferry does operate between Westray and Papa Westray, it takes significantly longer, with a journey time of 25 minutes. There is no bridge to connect the two islands, so you can't walk or drive either. Having been in operation since 1967, the aircraft celebrated its one millionth passenger milestone in 2016. With a record flight time of just 47 seconds, this route has been recognised as the shortest scheduled passenger flight by the Guinness World Records. Passengers aren't required to arrive at the airport two hours in advance, as is standard for most flights. Instead, it's recommended to arrive just ten minutes prior. I grew up on a tiny island in Scotland - it's home to the shortest flight in the world & Billy Connolly ran around naked- As for hand luggage, even small carry-ons must be placed in the cargo compartment. The journey is primarily used by teachers and students visiting archaeological sites but is also utilised by health professionals who provide care to patients on both islands. According to The Points Guy's Daniel Ross, the sea route is aboard a "fisherman-like boat." He said: "The boat rocked so violently from side to side that I was sure we were going to capsize. Spending 20 minutes on that boat on a 'calm day' was enough to make me never want to set foot on another boat again."
Scottish Sun
28-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
The world's shortest flight is less than two miles and takes just 53 seconds… and it's in the UK
You can enjoy stunning coastal views on the short journey SHORTEST HAUL The world's shortest flight is less than two miles and takes just 53 seconds… and it's in the UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world takes place between two Scottish islands. From take off to landing, this entire journey takes just 90 seconds. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Residents and visitors of two Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland can experience the world's shortest passenger flight Credit: Alamy 6 Loganair and Flybe operate the 90-seconf route between Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands Credit: Alamy Connecting Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands of Scotland, this unique route has proved the most efficient for residents and tourists alike. From take off to landing, the flight covers a total of 1.7 miles, and only spends 53 seconds in the air. The speedy flights run every day and are less frivolous than they might seem. For the residents of the two isles, there is no cheaper or easier alternative available. A ferry making the same journey between the two islands takes 25 minutes. Despite their close proximity no bridges exist to connect the two islands. And since the entire population of Papa Westray clocks in at just 90 people, it's unlikely any funding will go towards such a project. The flight journey is mainly used by teachers and students studying archeological sites. However, health professionals are also known to frequent the service, attending to patients on both islands. The plane itself is a Britten-Norman BN2B-26 Islander is operated by Operated by Flybe or Loganair. The European city with cheap UK flights, famous lagoon spas and summers where the sun never sets This aircraft is small, with just eight seats, along with the pilot and co-pilot chairs. With a record time of just 47 seconds on days where the wind cooperates, the route has been measured as the shortest scheduled passenger flight by the Guinness World Records. It was first flown in 1967 and welcomed the one millionth passenger in 2016. A pilot from one of the islands revealed in a YouTube video that despite flying the route around 5,000 times, he has only accumulated approximately 50 hours in the air. And while the flight time may seem laughable, the alternative is not an ideal option. 6 The 1.7 mile journey is 90 seconds in total, with just 53 of those airborne According to The Points Guy's Daniel Ross, the sea route is on a "fisherman-like boat". "The boat rocked so violently from side to side I was sure we were going to capsize," he explained. "Spending 20 minutes on that boat on a 'calm day' was enough to make me never want to set foot on another boat again." To try the flight out for yourself, however, is a bit more difficult of a venture. 6 The aircraft includes eight passenger seats and a pilot and co-pilot seat, with all baggage stored in a cargo hold due to lack of cabin space Credit: Alamy The get to Papa Westray from London, you will have to make your way to Aberdeen, and then on to Kirkwall, and finally from Kirkwall to Westray. But at least you don't need to arrive at the airport too far in advance, with the recommended time being just 10 minutes before departure. And don't expect to take on your hand luggage, as even small carry on bags are put into the cargo compartment due to the lack of space. Flights between the two islands currently start from just £19. 6 The islands include lots of scenic areas includig the bay and village of Pierowall on Westray Credit: Alamy
The Sun
28-04-2025
- The Sun
The world's shortest flight is less than two miles and takes just 53 seconds… and it's in the UK
THE shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world takes place between two Scottish islands. From take off to landing, this entire journey takes just 90 seconds. 6 6 Connecting Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands of Scotland, this unique route has proved the most efficient for residents and tourists alike. From take off to landing, the flight covers a total of 1.7 miles, and only spends 53 seconds in the air. The speedy flights run every day and are less frivolous than they might seem. For the residents of the two isles, there is no cheaper or easier alternative available. A ferry making the same journey between the two islands takes 25 minutes. Despite their close proximity no bridges exist to connect the two islands. And since the entire population of Papa Westray clocks in at just 90 people, it's unlikely any funding will go towards such a project. The flight journey is mainly used by teachers and students studying archeological sites. However, health professionals are also known to frequent the service, attending to patients on both islands. The plane itself is a Britten-Norman BN2B-26 Islander is operated by Operated by Flybe or Loganair. The European city with cheap UK flights, famous lagoon spas and summers where the sun never sets This aircraft is small, with just eight seats, along with the pilot and co-pilot chairs. With a record time of just 47 seconds on days where the wind cooperates, the route has been measured as the shortest scheduled passenger flight by the Guinness World Records. It was first flown in 1967 and welcomed the one millionth passenger in 2016. A pilot from one of the islands revealed in a YouTube video that despite flying the route around 5,000 times, he has only accumulated approximately 50 hours in the air. And while the flight time may seem laughable, the alternative is not an ideal option. 6 According to The Points Guy's Daniel Ross, the sea route is on a "fisherman-like boat". "The boat rocked so violently from side to side I was sure we were going to capsize," he explained. "Spending 20 minutes on that boat on a 'calm day' was enough to make me never want to set foot on another boat again." To try the flight out for yourself, however, is a bit more difficult of a venture. 6 The get to Papa Westray from London, you will have to make your way to Aberdeen, and then on to Kirkwall, and finally from Kirkwall to Westray. But at least you don't need to arrive at the airport too far in advance, with the recommended time being just 10 minutes before departure. And don't expect to take on your hand luggage, as even small carry on bags are put into the cargo compartment due to the lack of space. Flights between the two islands currently start from just £19. 6
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The engineering marvel behind reopening I-40
Feb. 28—When Daniel Ross first laid eyes on the destruction to I-40 after Helene, he never imagined it would be drivable for the general public in just five short months. "It's a marvel. It seemed next to impossible when we first started, just looking at the damage and the timelines we established," said Ross, the project engineer for the emergency repair job to 40. Ross was one of the first DOT engineers to reach the slide site and realize the magnitude of what lay ahead. The water hadn't peaked yet, and the deeper he drove into the gorge, the higher the Pigeon River rose. "It was incredible. It was like driving by a lake. It looked like you could just about reach out and touch the water. That's when it clicked for us what a big deal this was," said Ross, who lives on Jonathan Creek. "There was asphalt floating down the river." The first inkling of the slide came from a DOT worker checking on the rest area near the stateline who called the Haywood DOT maintenance engineer to break the news. "He said 'No problem, we've got some track hoes already mobilized, I'll send them down to clear it,'" Ross recalled. But track hoes weren't going to cut it. "The county maintenance engineer came into the building and said 'We are losing lanes of 40.' We said, 'What do you mean?' He said, 'They are washing away,'" Ross recalled. Ross has spent nearly every day since on the wild and rugged stretch of 40 through the Gorge. "It's probably the most remote place in all of North Carolina. You're 20 miles from anything in every direction. You really get a sense of the isolation," Ross said. Now, just 157 days later, Ross will see traffic turned loose on 40 again. "We've done what a lot of people thought was impossible," Ross said, sharing credit with the Wright Brothers contractor. "It has been a monumental effort by all parties down there. We still have a long ways to go, but opening that corridor is a major milestone in restoring Western North Carolina to the place it was prior to the storm."
