dirtyfrankd From United States of America, joined Apr 2011, 157 posts, RR: 0 Posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 5123 times:
Per the title, I was on a Delta Shuttle flight (E-170) yesterday and we took off from Rwy 15. When I noticed that we were on 15 and we started our takeoff roll, I definitely started having a huge panic attack...did NOT know that jets could take off from that runway and couldn't stop thinking about the 2006 OH 5191 crash in Lexington.
Is it normal for jets to take off from Rwy 15/33 at DCA? I have landed on that runway a few times but have always only taken off from Rwy 1/19...
futureualpilot From United States of America, joined May 2000, 2562 posts, RR: 8 Reply 1, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 5101 times:
When I was flying in and out of there it was not uncommon to see RJs using 15/33 when the winds were calm/favored it. It didn't happen terribly often but it did happen.
spiritair97 From United States of America, joined Jan 2011, 1231 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 4974 times:
I took off from ISP a few weeks ago on runway 33L, which is 5186 feet on a WN 737 and we only use about 3500-4000 feet of the runway so I don't doubt that RJs at least can take off from runway 15at DCA. Plus, look at EYW. They fly E-175s into there and 737s.
erj170 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 6636 posts, RR: 19 Reply 4, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 4903 times:
It's not that unusual for 15 to be used for both taking off and landing. It makes for a much more interesting take-off, but the landing on that runway is an experience in itself to. Personally, I am glad cause it does get a little tiring being number 7 or 8 in line to take off...
dirtyfrankd From United States of America, joined Apr 2011, 157 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 4814 times:
Glad to hear...and very glad that I didn't assume the "brace" position, which I was about to do. I fly every single week and by no means am I a nervous flyer...but this one freaked me out.
thenoflyzone From Canada, joined Jan 2001, 1971 posts, RR: 11 Reply 8, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 4768 times:
Gentlemen,
nothing beats a UA 752 from SNA's 5700 ft runway to ORD.
You have to experience it at least once. What a feeling. Lineup on runway. Parking brake on......Full thrust. PACS off, so no air in the cabin......you're sweating in the summer heat....and then....when they release the parking brake, your head tilts back onto the headrest, and remains there until takeoff !
Nuff said.
Thenoflyzone
Edit: UA also operates the 752 from SNA to IAH and EWR. The latter is an early morning departure or a late evening one, to avoid the heat of the day. IAH and ORD are afternoon departures.
[Edited 2012-07-13 12:38:07]
us Air Traffic Controllers have a good record, we haven't left one up there yet !!
MikeCT From United States of America, joined May 2008, 137 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 4708 times:
Quoting dirtyfrankd (Reply 7): Glad to hear...and very glad that I didn't assume the "brace" position, which I was about to do. I fly every single week and by no means am I a nervous flyer...but this one freaked me out.
Sometimes being more knowledgeable than the average flier can work against you!
I was curious just what the E170 was capable of and according to Embraer's website, the E170 needs 5,394 feet of runway at max weight. Runway 15 at DCA is 5,204 feet. But I'm sure you were nowhere near max weight. It also said you would need 3,763 feet loaded for a 500nm flight, and LGA is just 214nm. It seems for the shuttle flights, that runway is well within the limits of the aircraft.
Quoting thenoflyzone (Reply 8): nothing beats a UA 752 from SNA's 5700 ft runway to ORD.
I love that experience. I feel like I'm in the space shuttle. I know it's not the case, but it feels like we're climbing at a 60 degree angle!
SouthernDC9 From United States of America, joined Mar 2011, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 4633 times:
Yeah if you plane watch from Gravelly Point you'll see this little ballet almost of planes taking off from the two runways. I've taken off to the east and landed from the east but have never come in from the west over the GW Parkway on 15, which seems like it would be exciting.
I've definitely seen a 319 takeoff on the e/w runway but usually it's the regionals.
Quoting dirtyfrankd (Reply 7): Glad to hear...and very glad that I didn't assume the "brace" position, which I was about to do.
You could also have assumed the crash position ala Airplane! and slumped over in your seat in a broken, crumbled heap.
What does AA/US merger mean for CLT/JFK/PHX/North America/Southern Hemisphere/God's Plan for the Universe
spiritair97 From United States of America, joined Jan 2011, 1231 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 4585 times:
I was at JFK once and saw n172aj taking off enroute to SXM and it used about 3000 feet of runway 22R! I'm not even exaggerating it was rotating by the time it reached T5!
onaclearday From United States of America, joined Feb 2007, 49 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 4531 times:
We took off on June 3 from Rwy 15. F9 DCA-DEN, full 320. Only realized it when I looked out the window after rotation and had a view of D.C. that I don't normally get after takeoff. I always sit on a/c left. Great view, too.
SouthernDC9 From United States of America, joined Mar 2011, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4309 times:
Quoting Reply 13): We took off on June 3 from Rwy 15. F9 DCA-DEN, full 320. Only realized it when I looked out the window after rotation and had a view of D.C. that I don't normally get after takeoff. I always sit on a/c left. Great view, too.
Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a 320 take off that-a-way.
So kind of a sad story, but in 2010 my dad died somewhat unexpectedly and I had to book a day-of flight home... the best fare was on Continental through EWR, and DCA-EWR just happened to be on a Q400, which I had never flown on but wanted to... I felt bad letting my inner airline geek push his way through at such a sad time, but the heart wants what the heart wants or whatever. So I get to the airport, get on the plane, we taxi out... lo and behold, we're taking off from the freaky runway that I've seen in use but never had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand... it was a really neat takeoff with a great view of the city, and all I could think (while trying not to sob hysterically like the emotional basket case that I was) was that if there had to be a funeral and it had to be his, my dad would probably be pretty happy that I was able to enjoy all this cool-to-me stuff on my way down to it. (And he would, he was a good fellow.)
Flip side - don't fly through EWR if you're feeling sad and/or vulnerable, because this almost oppressive sense of "hey, nobody gives a ****, alright?" just really hangs like a fog over the place, it's insane (though the FA on the flight to LIT was outstanding and sat with me for a few minutes during the flight after I randomly burst into tears apropos of absolutely nothing).
What does AA/US merger mean for CLT/JFK/PHX/North America/Southern Hemisphere/God's Plan for the Universe
B777LRF From Luxembourg, joined Nov 2008, 1015 posts, RR: 3 Reply 16, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 4227 times:
Of course it's not normal. The two guys, or girls for that matter, sitting up front really have a death wish and once they've chewed on all the numbers, found out a given runway is too short, they're going to choose just that one for their take-off!
Or, alternatively, you have a couple of professionals up front having a cool, calm and collected view of present conditions, and from a set of alternatives they choose one that's safe, efficient and in line with company procedures.
From receips and radials over straight pipes to big fans - been there, done that, got the hearing defects to prove
flyerboyek From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 72 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 4028 times:
I've departed from runway 15 once: June 2010, in a PSA CR2. Was a super fast taxi from the 35A/B commuter parking area.
I once landed on 33 on a DL MD-90. It was late at night and 1-19 were closed for maintenance. It was a super hard landing and the captain made a PA to apologize for it. Have also landed on 15 on the Delta Shuttle E-175. Totally uneventful.
Rockinflyer From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 232 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 4002 times:
nothing beats a UA 752 from SNA's 5700 ft runway to ORD.
You have to experience it at least once. What a feeling. Lineup on runway. Parking brake on......Full thrust. PACS off, so no air in the cabin......you're sweating in the summer heat....and then....when they release the parking brake, your head tilts back onto the headrest, and remains there until takeoff !
It's amazing how little runway a 752 can get away with using! I have done SNA on it and although it shakes, rattles, and growls, it just catapults into the air and it's smooth flying. I do know pilot will bring the engines to pretty much full thrust before letting go of the breaks. Thus, the catapult effect! And YES, you really feel it!!!!
tb727 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1397 posts, RR: 4 Reply 19, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 3924 times:
15 is cool and all but one of the most memorable departures I have done in my career was off of 4 at DCA in a Falcon 20, you line up more or less pointing right at the Capitol building. Made an immediate right turn after takeoff and followed the Anacostia River to the NE, best view of the city ever. I think it's fairly rare, I always thought most operations used 1/19.
nothing beats a UA 752 from SNA's 5700 ft runway to ORD.
You have to experience it at least once. What a feeling. Lineup on runway. Parking brake on......Full thrust. PACS off, so no air in the cabin......you're sweating in the summer heat....and then....when they release the parking brake, your head tilts back onto the headrest, and remains there until takeoff !
Nuff said.
Perhaps the only experience that can top it is taking off from SNA facing backwards, which used to be possible when some WN planes still had them. Better than most amusement-park rides!
flyerboyek From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 72 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 3814 times:
Quoting tb727 (Reply 19): Made an immediate right turn after takeoff and followed the Anacostia River to the NE, best view of the city ever.
And if you're headed to the N.Y. metro area, the 4 departure via the Anacostia easily cuts 10-15 minutes off your flying time. Especially if you're departing off 1 and have to follow the Potomac up past Bethesda before making the right turn to the SWANN/PALEO/AGARD area.
tb727 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1397 posts, RR: 4 Reply 22, posted (11 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 3766 times:
Quoting flyerboyek (Reply 21): And if you're headed to the N.Y. metro area, the 4 departure via the Anacostia easily cuts 10-15 minutes off your flying time. Especially if you're departing off 1 and have to follow the Potomac up past Bethesda before making the right turn to the SWANN/PALEO/AGARD area.
Yes, I was heading to Delaware and if we went off of 1 it would have doubled the flight time! I wonder what the advantage is going off 15 vesus 19.
Ps76 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (11 months 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 3438 times:
Hi!
Sorry to hear of your going through the motions. Like someone else said above maybe ignorance is bliss. You have a common pilot mentality (from reading magazines written by pilots!). Maybe you should switch careers into aviation. Then you'd always be in control!
United_fan From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 7175 posts, RR: 8 Reply 24, posted (11 months 1 week 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 2458 times:
Quoting thenoflyzone (Reply 8): nothing beats a UA 752 from SNA's 5700 ft runway to ORD.
You have to experience it at least once. What a feeling. Lineup on runway. Parking brake on......Full thrust. PACS off, so no air in the cabin......you're sweating in the summer heat....and then....when they release the parking brake, your head tilts back onto the headrest, and remains there until takeoff !
I've done that one,before. Also,you must add B6 BUR-JFK . What a rush! Landing at BUR is fun,too!
'Empathy was yesterday...Today, you're wasting my Mother-F'ing time' - Heat.
peachair From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 356 posts, RR: 4 Reply 25, posted (11 months 1 week 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 2473 times:
I have both landed and taken off from RWY15. The winds were such that 15 made sense - I was on an E190 (USAirways Express). I dont think that any jet without leading edge devices should use this RWY.
The landing on RWY15 oon a US Airways Express CRJ200 was harrowing. There were Thunderstorms and we had to rather sharp and steep turns on final under high winds which made for a fun arrival.
flylku From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 726 posts, RR: 0 Reply 26, posted (11 months 1 week 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 2351 times:
Quoting IADCA (Reply 3): I was on a UA 757 DCA-DEN a couple weeks ago that took off on 15. That was a fun one.
Are you absolutely certain because that really is shocking? This is my home airport and I've never seen a departure of anything that big on 15/33. What were the winds?
I did IAD-DUB in a 757 last week. At the time of the departure it was still 90 degrees and the captain went out of his way to taxi out to the very end of 1R: every inch can count. Of course we did not use anything close to the 11,500 available but then again we didn't lose an engine...
Alnicocunife From United States of America, joined Mar 2011, 114 posts, RR: 0 Reply 27, posted (11 months 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1562 times:
SmittyOne From United States of America, joined Feb 2012, 906 posts, RR: 2 Reply 28, posted (11 months 1 week 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 1444 times:
Quoting B777LRF (Reply 16):
Of course it's not normal. The two guys, or girls for that matter, sitting up front really have a death wish and once they've chewed on all the numbers, found out a given runway is too short, they're going to choose just that one for their take-off!
Haha - but I think the point was his fear that they brainfarted and taxied to the wrong runway by accident like the night of the Lexington crash. Can't really see how someone would make that mistake at DCA but you never know I guess.
cbphoto From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1512 posts, RR: 6 Reply 29, posted (11 months 1 week 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 1436 times:
Quoting thenoflyzone (Reply 8): nothing beats a UA 752 from SNA's 5700 ft runway to ORD.
You have to experience it at least once. What a feeling. Lineup on runway. Parking brake on......Full thrust. PACS off, so no air in the cabin......you're sweating in the summer heat....and then....when they release the parking brake, your head tilts back onto the headrest, and remains there until takeoff !
Agree 100% I even have you beat at SNA! Riding jump seat on a UPS 757 SNA-SDF we rotated on the 1000 ft markers on the other side of the runway! What a rush and experience it was, wish the average Joe could witness a T/O like that from the flight deck! It would truly show we do more then just "push buttons"
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Apr 2011, 157 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2007, 976 posts, 
From Canada, joined Jan 2001, 1971 posts, 
From Luxembourg, joined Nov 2008, 1015 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
