BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Posted (3 years 6 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 15365 times:
I came across this photo showing an Air France 777-300ER over downtown Beirut. You can see that it is deploying its landing gear.
This is most unusual. I have marked the approximate location and heading of the aircraft as well as BEY's three runways.
Runway 16 and 17 are the landing runways, although runway 16 is the one used almost exclusively. Runway 17, which is an old runway, is used very rarely and when it is used, it's usually for general aviation traffic. As can be seen from the aerial, a typical landing (into runway 16) involves an approach just west of the city over the Mediterranean Sea.
However, based on the AF 77W''s location and trajectory, it appears that it's heading to runway 21, which isn't equipped with ILS as it is a take-off runway.
Even if a visual approach is being done into runway 21, there isn't really a reason to do so as it brings aircraft close to the mountains and some high-rise buildings. I know runway 21 has a very long displaced threshold for this very reason. What could be the possible explanations for this very unusual approach?
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
SeaBosDca From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 4277 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (3 years 6 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 15355 times:
I have no idea, but just wanted to say that is one of the best photos I've seen lately.
Could it be approaching runway 17? Maybe an obstruction on runway 16?
Or maybe even an obstruction near where 16 and 17 meet?
Most gorgeous aircraft: Tu-204-300, 757-200, A330-200, 777-200LR, 787-8
MrSkyGuy From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 1203 posts, RR: 3 Reply 3, posted (3 years 6 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 15291 times:
A346Dude, my thoughts as well. It's clever, but I think that's a photoshopped image because the ambient lighting of the aircraft doesn't seem to match the photo. One of the better ones, for sure.
"The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee." -- Gunter's 2nd Law of Air
BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Reply 4, posted (3 years 6 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 15229 times:
Quoting SeaBosDca (Reply 1): Could it be approaching runway 17? Maybe an obstruction on runway 16?
It's too far east to be on approach to runway 17 and it's heading is taking it even further east.
Quoting A346Dude (Reply 2): Something about that photo doesn't look quite right to me. The airplane looks too big in comparison to the buildings. Could be wrong...
Quoting MrSkyGuy (Reply 3): A346Dude, my thoughts as well. It's clever, but I think that's a photoshopped image because the ambient lighting of the aircraft doesn't seem to match the photo. One of the better ones, for sure.
The more I look at it, the more I think you're both right.
Thanks for the feedback.
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
KiwiinOz From New Zealand, joined Oct 2005, 2029 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (3 years 6 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 15163 times:
Definite photoshop. It is far too low. It looks to be about 8kms from any of the airfield, and at an altitude of about 1000 ft. That doesn't seem right.
Pylon101 From Russia, joined Feb 2008, 1391 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (3 years 6 months 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 14980 times:
I can't remeber for sure.
But as far as I remember rwy 21 was used for our SU A319 landing when I was going to OLBA last winter.
We should ask our Lebanese friends. There are many aviation fans in Lebanon.
OA412 From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 4981 posts, RR: 25 Reply 7, posted (3 years 6 months 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 14808 times:
Quoting A346Dude (Reply 2): Something about that photo doesn't look quite right to me. The airplane looks too big in comparison to the buildings. Could be wrong...
ManuCH From Switzerland, joined Jun 2005, 2971 posts, RR: 51 Reply 10, posted (3 years 6 months 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 14671 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD MODERATOR
As the picture turned out to be a fake, I am locking the thread.
Any additional posts that are made to this thread after this post will be removed for housekeeping purposes, as this may happen due to a short system lag.
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