Operations in Sandstorms

[ReadMyACARS]

At the moment Dhahran, Bahrain and presumably Dammam are completely socked in with a intense shamal.

I was wondering what effect the sand has on flying operations. Do Saudi and other Gulf states operate down to CAT III and, what effect does the sand have on engines?

Vis out side is about 75 metres at the moment and appears to be getting worse.

....and my collegues think they're leaving tonight, heh, heh, heh :E

Thanks

RMA

[mutt]

Do Saudi ...... operate down to CAT III

No.


Mutt.

[Rabbit]

First: Sand has no real effect on aircraft or engines except for removing a little paint and polishing the fan blades.

Second: Yes airlines in the Gulf continue normal operations as much as possible and use Cat 11/111 where available. unfortunately all runways and Companies are not approved for Cat 11/111 ops'

Have a nice day