Making an approach to 09 at GIB with a strong wind out of the east is very demanding. With the draconian airspace restrictions imposed by the Spanish
(purely for political reasons) aircraft are forced to fly northbound on a right base for 09 where they are
directly downwind of the rock at a height where they are in in extremely turbulent air. Gibraltar requires great respect from the pilot, particularly with regard to wind limitations. In this case the surface wind was quite within limits but the turbulence generated by the stronger 1000' wind on base leg can be so strong that it feels like your teeth are going to fall out just as you fly abeam the dockyard. Passengers.... Welcome to the world of the over-paid and under-worked pilot. On the days where I earn my money - you really would
not like to be sat behind me!
As you can see from the graphic, the turbulence that lies just west of the rock in strong easterly winds could be
completely avoided by the Spanish permitting straight-in approaches over Algeciras on days like this.
Politics standing in the way of Flight Safety... Who would have thought it!
