LHR 09 Left approach

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

From where I lived as a kid, 33L was always welcome but rarely used.

[Glamdring]

Funny you should speak about 'Noise Freaks' HD. We have had a new, passionate band of noise complainers in West Lothian ever since we trialed a new SID for a couple of months over the summer last year. The trial has long since finished but they are convinced that all the original SIDs have now been changed and that the aircraft are flying over their houses where they weren't before. Their Facebook page is providing hours of entertainment at work

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I know what you mean Glamdring. At least they're providing you with some fun!

[jackieofalltrades]

From where I lived as a kid, 33L was always welcome but rarely used.

Is that the old runway that now is Taxiway W south of 09R, part of R north of 09R and used to extend to what is now the A10W exit of 09L?
And do you know when that runway was decommissioned?

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by jackieofalltrades

Is that the old runway that now is Taxiway W south of 09R, part of R north of 09R and used to extend to what is now the A10W exit of 09L?

Yes.

Not to be confused with Heathrow's original 34L, a small part of which is still discernable as A9W.

And do you know when that runway was decommissioned?

It was closed to allow the construction of Terminal 3's Pier 7 for the 747, which opened in 1970, so probably in the mid/late 60s.

[jackieofalltrades]

Thanks for the info Dave. I find it fascinating thinking about the old cross runways many airports used to have.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Interesting Dave. I wasn't aware of there being a 34L as it was not finished to my knowledge. The stub was known in ATC as Waites Alley!

[Talkdownman]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

Not to be confused with Heathrow's original 34L

34L was simply 34 because there was never a 34R. 34 was an entirely different runway to either of the 33s. This 1955 picture differentiates them all nicely. 16/34 was known as 'Runway 3' and closed in 1949. 16 hasn't been used since 1949...other than in error by Captain Waite in G-AMOK one foggy day in 1953.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by Talkdownman

34L was simply 34 because there was never a 34R. 34 was an entirely different runway to either of the 33s. This 1955 picture differentiates them all nicely. 16/34 was known as 'Runway 3' and closed in 1949.

You are indeed correct.

Runway 16/34 formed part of the original 1944 RAF triangle scheme, but was superseded (to make room for the CTA) by what became "Runway 6" (16R/34L, later redesignated 15R/33L) when the second triangle of runways was completed in the late 40s, at which point the L/R designations of course became necessary.

16 hasn't been used since 1949...other than in error by Captain Waite in G-AMOK one foggy day in 1953.

I think you will find that Captain Waits' unfortunate mishap was in January 1955.

[Talkdownman]

You're correct. It was '55. They all got away with it!

The 15R approach was very close to SATCC, my first unit. The lights were on non-frangible telegraph poles in those days. I'd love to find a picture of a 377 over those poles, with SATCC in view...

[pax britanica]

I think rwy 05 R still had telephone/telegraph poles when i landed there in 1977 , only remember the year as was year got married. As i recall the lights were pretty basic compared to the other approach lights and LHR and the Thmaes at Laleham was the 'outer marker' for controller guided approaches ? I remeber listening to my airband hearing controllers pass a continuous string of instructions about just above glide path or turn left 3 degrees until terminating the approach quite close in and leaving the pilots eyes to do the rest. Not sure how that would have worked with todays movements and monster widebodies