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We are looking at a possible change to our operating proceedures, and I would appreciate the views of operational flight deck crews. You are inbound, your aircraft develops a problem of such magnitude that you request the emergency services be placed on standby for your arrival. Would you prefer the emergency services to be on standby close to your arrival runway, or would you prefer the services to be on standby at the airport fire station?
Agreed. Don't like the standby beside the runway thing. Look at the Sioux City DC10 and many others. When you have a real problem, the runway is not likely to contain you. If you are going to sit out on the field, I would certainly prefer a very decent distance away. Those 20 seconds moving up aren't going to make much difference. I would rather have you guys a few seconds later than squished under a wing!
To put you in the picture, the crews are always on standby at the stations, when a call comes through, the crews split into two groups and move to more forward positions covering the touch down and roll out ends of the runway.The reason for the split is to cover most eventualities and also not to put all our eggs in "one basket". Only problem I can see with remaining on station is the delay in getting to an incident (due to taxiing aircraft etc.)should an accident occur, plus it's a long way if the aircraft under shoots.
Like AFFF says, that's the way I like it. On the occasions I have called for them (at LGW) they have done EXACTLY that (and used intelligence in positioning knowing the nature of the emergency) and followed me (at a safe distance) down the runway. Certainly NOT at the station - after all Rainboe and 411 (who didn't read Intruder's post properly!!) might well spear off the runway into the station or holding area and take out the whole damn lot!
What you received at LGW is exactly the way we do it. If we were to remain on station, and you request an inspection of the outside of your aircraft, we would have to have a damn good pair of binoculars to do it from the station forecourt.
Typed undoubtedly by someone who may have speared off the runway into the station or holding area in a large heavy jet transport aeroplane...no surprise there.
AFFF - stick with what you are doing as Intruder says - it works for the proper pilots.
Now retired, but over the many years I have always been grateful for you guys and girls.
Quote:
...might well spear off the runway into the station or holding area and take out the whole damn lot!
Typed undoubtedly by someone whom had never flown a large heavy jet transport aeroplane...no surprise there
Just to let you know, and much to the relief of the majority of our fire fighters, the emergency standby positions WILL remain adjacent to the arrival runway. Thanks for the input folks.
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