NOISE ABATEMENT & FUEL COSTS
With the cost of a barrell of oil now approaching US$70 with flow-on to aviation fuel, one has to wonder if any of the bureacrats or, dare I say, politicians have given any thought to the impact of noise abatement to the airlines costs?
Today in YSSY, RWY 34L & 34R were being used with the heavy jets departing from 34L. Emirates, running several hours late, operated an A340 YSSY to NZCH and headed way out west for about 15nm and then made a sweeping left hand turn to set course over the SY VOR to NZCH. Why couldn't that flight have continued on RWY HDG for about 10NM and then make a RIGHT hand turn to set course for NZCH. Surely it is possible to do this, maintain separation with the lighter jets and bug smashers using 34R and thus minimise the ever increasing operational costs of the airlines?