Ely [appearing on moving map]
#17
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US/UK - and elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,569
Maybe it was put on the map by somebody who likes medieval architecture. The cathedral is one of England's best, especially known for its Lady Chapel and for its octagonal lantern (a tower-like structure, not a lamp!) over the crossing, which is visible from miles around (not so hard, considering how flat the landscape is). And, yes, I've actually been there. What a nerd I am.
(Doh - as the above post....!)
Last edited by CKBA; Oct 13, 2018 at 8:03 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: BA GOLD
Posts: 604
Some relatively obscure places that show up simply have an aviation beacon in the vicinity, and/or a historical aviation connection. Such as RAF Witchford, home to the 115 Squadron Lancasters. That squadron dropped more tons of explosives for RAF Bomber Command than any other unit.
Maybe it was put on the map by somebody who likes medieval architecture. The cathedral is one of England's best, especially known for its Lady Chapel and for its octagonal lantern (a tower-like structure, not a lamp!) over the crossing, which is visible from miles around (not so hard, considering how flat the landscape is). And, yes, I've actually been there. What a nerd I am.
The original base like many others in the area became a small modern industrial state but one of the original hangers remains (now a recycling centre) along with three of the original nissen huts used by crews - these nissen huts are to be used to expand the museum. There is a small stone memorial to 115 Sqn in the estate built on where the original runway was - the huge losses of the squadron make very sad reading.
So Giggleswick you are not as nerdy as you thought - and I have also visited the village of Giggleswick too.
#19
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,348
On my recent flight in from London to JFK, the Airshow happened to highlight the North Carolina city of Fayetteville over its much larger neighbors, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington. It's odd, yes, but definitely part of the third-party software, not BA's attempt to educate us about obscure cities.
I am not sure if Wildenranna (maybe 500 people living there) has a connection to air traffic; maybe its a waypoint as plenty of UK/ Europe traffic to the Middle East and Asia is flying ov
#20
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,348
On my recent flight in from London to JFK, the Airshow happened to highlight the North Carolina city of Fayetteville over its much larger neighbors, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington. It's odd, yes, but definitely part of the third-party software, not BA's attempt to educate us about obscure cities.
I am not sure if Wildenranna (maybe 500 people living there) has a connection to air traffic; maybe its a waypoint as plenty of UK/ Europe traffic to the Middle East and Asia is flying ov
#21
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 363
Some relatively obscure places that show up simply have an aviation beacon in the vicinity, and/or a historical aviation connection. Such as RAF Witchford, home to the 115 Squadron Lancasters. That squadron dropped more tons of explosives for RAF Bomber Command than any other unit.
Having said that, I think most of us on here would easily be able to locate the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone on a map, I do hope it comes up as a pub quiz question soon.
#22
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,069
Some relatively obscure places that show up simply have an aviation beacon in the vicinity, and/or a historical aviation connection. Such as RAF Witchford, home to the 115 Squadron Lancasters. That squadron dropped more tons of explosives for RAF Bomber Command than any other unit.
#25
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 363
Not to be confused with Ely, Cardiff, and the railway station of the same name.
#26
Join Date: Oct 2017
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It's Ely, Cambridgeshire Close to the Suffolk and Norfolk borders, but very much in Cambs. A former isle in the Fens before draining, it's still know locally as the isle of Ely. The majestic cathedral is the dominant feature and known as The Ship of the Fens as it can be seen on the horizon for many miles around and featured on the cover of Pink Floyd's 1994 album The Division Bell (the videos for the tracks were all filmed in the area).
Not to be confused with Ely, Cardiff, and the railway station of the same name.
Not to be confused with Ely, Cardiff, and the railway station of the same name.
#27
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: United 1K, Frontier 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond/ Ambassador/ Milestoner
Posts: 569
Along the line of aviation significance, Ely is very close to RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath air bases. In fact, it is the closest place to catch a train from those places.
#28
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I wouldn't be remotely surprised if a pilot came along and told us that it's an RNAV waypoint.
#29
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 363
What would work for me would be the standard Sat Nav map with live traffic. They could leave the aviation screen to display the height, ETA, speed etc and hand the map over to the one we all use and understand.
Think of the route planning you could do and the feeling of smugness as you overfly the red lines of stuck traffic.
Would probably be a lot cheaper licence for the airline to boot.
Think of the route planning you could do and the feeling of smugness as you overfly the red lines of stuck traffic.
Would probably be a lot cheaper licence for the airline to boot.
#30
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I've been there. It's a very nice little historic town, with a good place for afternoon tea and IIRC an old church. It's a pleasant drive from Cambridge.
BTW, there's also an Ely MN (USA) that's a northern resort town. IIRC it's where the International Wolf Center (zoo/museum about wolves) is located.
BTW, there's also an Ely MN (USA) that's a northern resort town. IIRC it's where the International Wolf Center (zoo/museum about wolves) is located.