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Report on a Visit to German Air Force Jever by Mick Ryan, Chris Stone, Gunter Kipp and Maurice Parker
on Tuesday/Wednesday 16/17th August 2005


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                      59. Even closer view of the new Air Traffic Control Tower on the old 2 Sqn Hangar.   I have just noticed an interesting
                      point that the runway designation has changed from 29 in our day, 1958-60, to 28 both in this photograph showing
                      the runway in use on the yellow board, and on the current camp plan.   This led me to carry out some research.
                      In an old RAF En Route Supplement Jever runway is listed as 281.63°T.   An old aviation chart shows the Magnetic
                      Variation in the Jever area as 3° 39' (3.65°) in 1970.   The Magnetic Variation was said to change at 3' a year in 1970.
                      Extrapolating back 12 years to 1958 means the variation was 36' (0.60°) greater and therefore 285° 52.8' Magnetic
                       (285.88°M).   This would make the Magnetic Heading of the runway round to the nearest - 29.   Extrapolating forward
                      it would have reduced below 285° by about 1976.   However, in my old En Route Supplement dated 15Jun1978 it is
                      still listed as 29.   Has anyone any clues about when the change took place or when it should have taken place?
                      The annual variation drift could well have changed.   See also the taxiway markings for runway 10 in front of Hangar 1 in
                      photograph 78 below.   (Thanks Mick Ryan).

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