Heathrow Operations

[Ifield Lad]

I seem to recall some posts about "simultaneous runway operations". Not sure if it was ever given the go-ahead. The point is as I was on the M25 last evening (Wed 6th @17.25) I observed (I was a passenger in the car) what appeared to be two aircraft that had all but taken off at the same time. One was an Airbus 319 type (on the left and turned left) and the other a 747 (on the right and turned right). I am aware the eyes can be deceiving and optical illusions are common place but even so...Any thoughts?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Might not be common but there is no reason why it should not have happened. Just depends on traffic..

[118.70]

Tactically Enhanced Departures (TED) were operated in Phase I of the Operational Freedom Trials.

TEDs were only enacted on eight individual days and to 38 departures out of a
total of approximately 55860 westerly departures (approximately 0.07%). This
limited application of TEDs during the trial can be explained by the restrictive
structure of Heathrow’s established departure routes. The established departure
procedures are designed for use at an aerodrome with “dependent‟ runways,
with all their attendant vortex separation, speed table and geographical direction
requirements, and consequently do not readily support simultaneous departures
from both runways. As such, within the current departure route structure, the
application of TEDs often resulted in detrimental impacts onto the arrival flow of
aircraft and was perceived to hinder, rather than support, the overall operation.
http://www.heathrowairport.com/static/Heathrow_Noise/Downloads/PDF/Heathrow_Operational_Freedoms_trial-Phase_1-report.pdf

It wasn't planned to do any more in Phase II (which is coming to an end this month)

Give it a few hours and the data from yesterday should be available for view at

WebTrak: Heathrow (http://webtrak.bksv.com/lhr)

[Ifield Lad]

Many thanks for the responses.

[Flightman]

Could it have been that one of your departures was actually a go-around?

[DaveReidUK]

Could it have been that one of your departures was actually a go-around?

Yes, VIR301 executed a missed approach at 17:23 on 27R, as VLG7211 was departing from 27L.

A346 and A320, respectively.

[Flightman]

There you go. Who needs flight tracking systems. :D

[Richard J.]

As it happens, I've just been looking at this incident on WebTrak in connection with a thread on Rumours & News (British Airways 777 diverts to Goose Bay ...).

When the 777 returned to LHR, whatever happened with the landing caused the runway (27R) to be closed for nearly 20 minutes. The Virgin 346 did a go-around from 610 ft, and the three aircraft behind it were switched across to 27L.

[DaveReidUK]

When the 777 returned to LHR, whatever happened with the landing caused the runway (27R) to be closed for nearly 20 minutes.

Reportedly had trouble maintaining directional control on the runway, cause initially suspected as blown tyre(s), but after inspection was eventually able to exit the runway under its own steam.

[DaveReidUK]

There you go. Who needs flight tracking systems.

Couldn't agree more. Complete waste of time. :O

Though I do recall being told once that they could be of use for filling in gaps ...

Anyway, here's the Virgin GA:

http://www.civilaircraftregisters.org/Mode_S_Resources/VIR301.jpg

[Ifield Lad]

Once again thanks for the responses everybody.