newyork355 From France, joined Jul 2004, 148 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1477 times:
My friends and I were on my roof today in downtown DC and saw the oddest thing ever; an aircraft was approaching (and subsequently landed) on runway 19 at DCA but did not approach via the Potomac, but appeared to approach from the NE, over flying SW DC before making a sharp left and safely landing. Is this approach normal? I had never seen this before. Also, I flew into DC on a US Airways A319 and landed on runway 15 a couple of weeks ago. I never knew the larger commercial jets that flew into DCA used these smaller runways. Any thoughts?
phatfarmlines From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 1323 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1398 times:
There is no published visual procedure for the Anacostia river unlike the Potomac river. I've only seen the Shuttle flights do this, but in theory any flight can do this especially if they're coming from the Northeast cities. So long as the aircraft stays out of restricted area P-56, I don't see why they can't do this other alternative approach.
Quoting newyork355 (Thread starter): Also, I flew into DC on a US Airways A319 and landed on runway 15 a couple of weeks ago. I never knew the larger commercial jets that flew into DCA used these smaller runways. Any thoughts?
Assuming the loads are light enough, the laws of physics should work and the plane can come to a quick stop. Seems like something the shuttle carriers would use.
seabosdca From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 4292 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1343 times:
Quoting newyork355 (Thread starter): Also, I flew into DC on a US Airways A319 and landed on runway 15 a couple of weeks ago. I never knew the larger commercial jets that flew into DCA used these smaller runways.
I've landed on 15 multiple times in US Airways 737s. Always unexpected, but you know it's happening when you fly straight over Rosslyn.
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