747 Bristol International

[reverserunlocked]

Can't find anything online, but has anyone been into BIA in a 747 of any flavour? I know it's short but so is LBA and Wardair used to go in there with 742's to Canada.

I'm putting together a sim practice for short field landings and wondered if the 747 could get into BIA.

Thanks guys.

[TopBunk]

I've taken off in a 747-400 from ORD 04L for LHR which is 2286m in length - no issues, can't remember if we derated thrust though, but I presume so.

Last week in SFO the take off runway was 19R (also 2286m) and we could just have made it (right at RTOW, within 100kg or so), but 19 at SFO has terrain concerns so we opted for 28 (again for LHR). OK so we were relatively light, prob about 330t, but nonetheless, it would suggest that BRS is not a big problem especially for landing, yet will concentrate the minds.

PS Have landed at BOM at about 270t (MLW 285t) and vacated at W from 27 which is about 1700 metres without hammering the brakes (WIP meant otherwise full length and backtrack).

HTH

[reverserunlocked]

Thanks TopBunk, very informative. 1700m at BOM - nice! That's the length available at JER. Now that I'd like to see....

[eckhard]

I flew a -400 into Oxford once! Mind you, it was in the sim.......

220T, LDA about 1400m I think, stopped OK.

[Jumbo Driver]

I have ferried an empty 744, with about 45t fuel, out of 23 at Cambridge (TORA 1892m) - which is quite a bit shorter than 27 at Bristol (TORA 2011m). I recall that full power take-off performance was impressive ... :ok:

You shouldn't have any trouble at Bristol on the sim at training weights ...


JD
:)

[Phalconphixer]

BIA is not cleared for 747's.
Largest cleared type is 767
Largest regular aircraft is 757
see wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_International_Airport) 'Runway' paragraph.

Also European used to operate a small fleet of 747-200's out of Bournemouth which isnt that much longer than Bristol and if memory serves these were normally landed somewhere in the UK with longer runways for a refuel before departing on the long leg of the flight to wherever...
There is a youtube video showing a 747 take off from Bournemouth here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feGZ4l5fk4Q)

A telephoto lens was used in the making of the video so everything is a bit foreshortened but even so it looks a bit marginal...

[Jumbo Driver]

Phalconphixer, I hardly think the "wiki" article referred to above should be regarded as authoritative on such matters.

There is no reason that I can see why a 747 (weight restricted) should not be operated in and out of Bristol (EGGD). PCN for runway 09/27 and main taxiways is 51/F/C/W/T and the 744 ACN shows as 25-79 over a range of operating weight range of 178t-395t. A rough proportionate calculation shows, therefore, that a 744 could operate in/out of Bristol, up to a weight of around 280t.

Certainly it may not be commercially viable at such weights - and also do BIA have suitable handling facilities with somewhere to park a 747? However, simply on the operational possibility, particularly for a sim practice, I would submit the answer is "Yes".


JD
:)

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

As a based pilot I'm not sure the taxiways would be viable for 747 operations. All possible exits are at 30 degrees at best, wingtips would be over the fence etc. etc.

You'd get one off the actual runway no problem.


WWW

[wiggy]

Sorry WWW, don't understand the 30 degree bit?

[Jumbo Driver]

As a based pilot I'm not sure the taxiways would be viable for 747 operations. All possible exits are at 30 degrees at best, wingtips would be over the fence etc. etc.

It's maybe a tad close to the North at the Western end of Twy G and also at A2 - the wingspan is 211' 5" (but at the tips probably well above any obstacles) - otherwise it seems OK for stand 26N on the West Apron ...

JD
:)