RICBWI From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 86 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 5 months 2 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 3990 times:
Hey gang,
I was out at DCA yesterday and saw several mainline craft land on runway 33. I did not realize at 5,200 feet that Runway 33 was used for mainline traffic--its "only" 5,200 feet. I know it was very windy yesterday--I'm assuming that was the reason. Nonetheless, since most traffic was using Runway 1 (1600 feet longer) i'm curious as to what would cause some arrivals (non peak period) to be on 33. I'm not a pilot but I think i'd rather have the extra 1600.
apodino From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 3634 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (2 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 3688 times:
There are a couple of reasons this might happen in DCA.
1. Even though Runway 1 is longer DCA often has strong crosswinds from the west, which would make 33 an easier landing even with the shorter length, since the headwind will reduce the landing distance needed as well as the groundspeed on final.
2. Because Runway 1 is also the primary departure runway, DCA may need a little more time to get departures out, or the plane thats cleared for takeoff on 1 takes his time on the runway, and in this case circling to 33 actually buys ATC more time with runway 1. I was in a CRJ jumpseat one time going into DCA and a Shuttle America E170 was cleared for takeoff as we were coming in to land on runway 1. The 170 took his time moving onto 1, so at about 500 ft AGL we requested and were granted a circle to land on 33 to buy time for the 170 and to prevent us from going missed completely. I have never seen a cockpit more busy in the next few seconds than I did that day.
3. The turnoff of runway 33 brings you right into the remote parking area that US uses for the RJ's and props. Air Wisconsin, PSA, and Piedmont will often take runway 33 to shorten the taxi time after landing with that in mind, much like 35 in PHL.
UTAH744 From United States of America, joined Jul 2009, 170 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (2 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 3488 times:
Flying DC-9s into DCA in the 80's and 90's we used 33 when the crosswinds were high, and sometimes when it worked for ATC. The DC-9-50 used all of the runway.
capitalflyer From United States of America, joined Nov 2010, 255 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 2699 times:
What about 4/22? I have seen maybe one takeoff on 4, if I remember it was a Dash 8 headed for EWR. It was able to make a right turn and go around Capitol to the east rather than having to loop around from the west as departures on 1 would require. Could CRJ or E Jet use this runway (4911') for flights headed to EWR/LGA/JFK/BOS?
apodino From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 3634 posts, RR: 6 Reply 10, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 2451 times:
Quoting capitalflyer (Reply 9): What about 4/22? I have seen maybe one takeoff on 4, if I remember it was a Dash 8 headed for EWR. It was able to make a right turn and go around Capitol to the east rather than having to loop around from the west as departures on 1 would require. Could CRJ or E Jet use this runway (4911') for flights headed to EWR/LGA/JFK/BOS?
It is possible, however it has to be a rather light load in order to do it (40 pax or less aprox). Truthfully, though 4 departures actually benefit flights to the south (I.E. Florida and the Coastal areas) more than flights to the northeast, because the right turn actually shaves about 10 minutes off a flight headed for the DAILY fix. Occasionally, you will see a steep right turn off of 1 for a DAILY departure since the normal left turn up the potomac requires a vector all the way around the north side of P 56 and then back down the east side of P 56. SWANN and PALEO departures (The ones up to NYC and BOS), actually don't gain anything with a right turn or a 4 departure, and 1 is still easier for them.
MDShady From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 74 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 2445 times:
Doesn't landing on 1 @ DCA require an incredibly long downwind? Hence aircraft from the NE may be able to cut it short and land on 33?
Kcrwflyer From United States of America, joined exactly 9 years ago today! , 3628 posts, RR: 7 Reply 12, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 2436 times:
Quoting MDShady (Reply 11): Doesn't landing on 1 @ DCA require an incredibly long downwind? Hence aircraft from the NE may be able to cut it short and land on 33?
MDShady From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 74 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (2 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 2425 times:
Quoting Kcrwflyer (Reply 12): Not as long as the downwind at ATL/ORD/IAH.
Yeah but what shortcut is available at ATL/ORD/IAH?
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