Take off from Queenstown is limited to 'day light' only. Once airborne the crew were flying a published departure procedure (SID) which required own terrain clearance the set heading point (TOLLGATE) after which continued flight IMC is allowed provided published climb gradients are achieved. In this case rumour has it the flight crew determined they could meet the minimum required SID gradient OEI, hence the decision to depart. Providing the flight crossed TOLLGATE before daylight ends they were quids in.
The CAA 30 minute rider reflects that Queenstown is a daylight operation only so should a return be necessary there will be time to recircuit before daylight ends.
In this case the plan was in the event of an engine failure at V1 to continue on the SID, climb out of the Queenstown Basin and depart for an alternate. It could be argued that climbing out of the Queenstown Basin is a much better option and more professional that circuiting amongst the mountains, regardless of the time of day.
To add to this I understand climbing out of the Queenstown basin is supported by Pac Blue ops managment and is the company preferred option.
Last edited by onthesideline; 18th Jun 2011 at 06:26.
Reason: expanded explanation