LGW - 26L departures

[Lawyerboy]

A quickie for you:

Let us, for a moment, assume that departures are on 26L at LGW and a/c are on a right turnout over Capel. What altitude are they likely to be at?

Yours ever
LB.

[BOAC]

Not an easy answer! If heavy, about 2500'. If light, the ATC altitude 'block' will decide (4000 ft from memory??) unless it is one of our pocket rockets getting an early climb across London in which case about 8000':cool:

[Lawyerboy]

Much obliged, BOAC.

Just had a look at the LAM SID and you're quite right, 4000' or below by DET d29, which would put anything complying with the SID at nearly 4000' over Capel. Only reason for the question was because I was looking at a house in Capel at the weekend and was deafened by a 747 going straight overhead halfway through its turn - and probably at about 2500'. Good doubleglazing required, methinks (but good grief what a view from the back garden)....

How often is 26L used for departures, then?

[The Obvious Choice]

How often is there a westerly wind?!?! Thats how often 26L is used.

[Charley B]

Better ask the Good Lord for westerly departures then, if you like plane spotting!
Where we live, when LGW deps are on 26L, we get most of the Seaford deps climbing out overhead---lovely to see on a clear day! But italways happens on my day off on a Sat ,when the VS623 goes over, that its either thick cloud or itgoes out the other way!Charlwood would be nice if you want to plane spot-my other half has put his foot down on that one!
How many airlines use 747 and A340s at LGW?Is it just VS,EAF and CC???

[Lawyerboy]

I was thinking more of when the time comes to sell on - not everyone loves the sound of a 747 in the morning. My other half, on the other hand, grew up on the Balcombe Road and is quite happy with it, thank you.

Actually, I seem to recall that LHR tends to change lanes at specific times of day irrespective of wind direction - nothing similar at LGW?

[pilotwolf]

We live a couple of miles west of Capel and only notice the odd 'loud' aircraft maybe a couple of times a day.

Some good spotting views from here...

Most landing traffic for 08 turns inbound further south and isn't noticed noisewise at all.

Remember we're biased though!

[Muppit]

It'll sound really, really sad that I know this, but it's part of my job. Honest!

2001 - 26L/R used 66% of the time
2002 - 26L/R used 70% of the time

Lawyerboy,

Gatwick only uses the Northern runway when the Main (26L/08R) is closed, so we don't alternate like Heathrow.

They change from left to right (and vice versa) on westerlies at 1500 (L), not east to west.

Charley B,

Yup,
Virgin use B744's & a A343
European use B742's
and the rest of the big boys are B772/3, A330's.

:8 :p

[pilotwolf]

Hi Muppet! Glad to see you're still about... Must get up for that cuppa soon.:ok:

[Muppit]

pilotwolf,

always welcome!

:D