777DadandJr From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 1516 posts, RR: 12 Posted (8 years 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 1320 times:
Wasn't sure how to word my post heading, but here goes.
My son and I we watching arrivals and departures at MDT (Harrisburg Int'l, Pa) from our patio the other night. (with binoculars, since the airport is about 20 miles away) MDT has a single 10500ft runway.
Most commonly rwy33 is in use. Planes arriving from the southeast, taking off towards the northwest. This is how it is most of the time.
Now, I know that, depending on the prevailing winds, they will shift ops to rwy13. (landings from the northwest, take offs towards the southeast)
There is a question here.
What would cause a shift from 33 to 13, but not for all a/c?
Example: we see 10 arrivals and 10 departures on 33, then 1 t/o on 13, then 5 more arrivals on 33.
Under what circumstances would they allow one a/c to take off on 13 when all other traffic is using 33?
Jr asked me and I didn't have an answer for him.
Thanks in advance!
Russ
My glass is neither 1/2 empty nor 1/2 full, rather, the glass itself is twice as big as it should be.
Woodreau From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 895 posts, RR: 7 Reply 1, posted (8 years 1 week 4 hours ago) and read 1304 times:
If the pilots don't indicate a preference for landing/takeoff, ATC will route all aircraft to land/takeoff in the same direction - as indicated by the ATIS.
A pilot can always ask for a specific runway, 13 in your case, even though traffic will be departing/taking off in the opposite direction. If ATC can accommodate, then they'll try to fit it in and allow the aircraft to depart/land going against traffic.
ATC will tell the crew, they can probably depart opposite direction in about 15 minutes, or if ATC can't accommodate it because of heavy workload, then they'll make the aircraft takeoff in the same direction as everyone else - rwy 33.
Why might a crew ask for 13 when everyone is departing 33? because of operational requirements, or maybe they just want it for no particular reason. A pilot is always free to request a specific runway, ATC accommodates when it's able, but doesn't have to honor the request.
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from surviving bad judgement.
727EMflyer From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 547 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (8 years 1 week 3 hours ago) and read 1282 times:
If you have a 60-90 degree crosswind it doesn't really matter which direction the plane lands... traffic permitting you can take off in the direction closest to you departure heading and land straight in instead of flying the pattern.
HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31228 posts, RR: 58 Reply 5, posted (8 years 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1180 times:
Quoting 777DadandJr (Thread starter): Under what circumstances would they allow one a/c to take off on 13 when all other traffic is using 33?
Probably to reach faster,routing wise.
Out here When most Aircraft use Rnwy 27.Our South bound Flt opts for a Rnwy 09 dep,which saves around 10-15 mins.
regds
MEL
Bond007 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 5098 posts, RR: 8 Reply 6, posted (8 years 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 1137 times:
Yes, some good explanations, and I agree it's usually purely to save a few minutes in the air, depending on what direction you are heading.
BUT, in my experience, it's often not good practice and very often aircraft landing the 'preferred' runway are told to slow, and get late landing clearances because of opposite direction landings or departures. I been at a couple of airports (SUS Spirit of St.Louis in particular), where they try and make one pilot happy by saving him 10 minutes, and annoying (and delaying) 3 other pilots by vectoring them to allow the other guys to get in!
It's fine if there's no other traffic.
Jimbo
I'd rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground!
HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31228 posts, RR: 58 Reply 7, posted (8 years 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1092 times:
Quoting Bond007 (Reply 6): it's often not good practice and very often aircraft landing the 'preferred' runway are told to slow, and get late landing clearances because of opposite direction landings or departures
Govt owned AI & IC do get that Preference out here at Bom.
regds
MEL
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