Funchal Airport is, shall we say, interesting. Flew out of there maybe 3 or 4 years ago, and the Jet2 pilot helpfully explained, while we were sitting at the end of the runway, that it was mandatory for the take off to be at full power, regardless of load, because of the short runway length. On top of that, as soon as the aircraft was safely clear of the ground, there would be a sharp right turn to avoid the coastal mountains. The latter probably to stay clear of turbulence as much as any risk of flying into them. Great place to visit though.
🤔 The runway isn’t short, It was extended nearly 20 years ago - 2,700 odd metres in length. A number of wide-bodied aircraft have landed here, even a 747!
He may have been talking about the opposite take off direction. They are usually well above the mountains in front on 05 i think. those are quite low mountains. They wait a while usually because of the traffic landing which crosses its path, if the plane kept straight too after take off, it would get in near the descending aircraft on the airway from the north. Do they turn right to get onto their airway which is to the right of the ones coming south.
