Cape Town diversions

[grjplanes]

Does anybody know the reason for the diverted flights from Cape Town this morning. At GRJ we received 1 x SAA 738, 2 x BA 732, 1 x BA 734, 1 x 1Time MD-83 plus the normal Airlink ERJ flights were delayed severely. Also noticed that Qatar Airways diverted to BFN on its way from JNB to CPT?

[Antman]

Maybe because of this

FACT 310800Z 25003KT 0500 R01/0200V0310U FG BKN001 11/11 Q1018 BECMG 6000 NSW
FACT 310700Z 00000KT 0100 R01/0140V0200U FG VV000 09/09 Q1018 BECMG FM0800 6000 NSW
FACT 310600Z 02002KT 0100 R01/0120V0260D FG VV000 06/06 Q1017 NOSIG
FACT 310500Z 04002KT 0600 R01/0150N FG SKC 06/06 Q1017 BECMG FM0800 8000 NSW
FACT 310400Z 14002KT 0300 R01/0250D FG SKC 06/06 Q1017 NOSIG

[ZERO3L]

Antman, not sure where you got that from but early TAFS gave CAVOK conditions.
No person in his right mind is going to dispatch unless the forecast indicates that an approach within his operational limitations is possible.

Your forecast probably comes from later in the day when the weather man realized that he got it seriously wrong...................again....................:(

[piton]

Zero3L, the info provided by Antman are METARS (actuals) not forecasts - as you can tell from the format with temps and QNH

[nugpot]

.... early TAFS gave CAVOK conditions.
No person in his right mind is going to dispatch unless the forecast indicates that an approach within his operational limitations is possible.
.......(

I guess you answered your own question. TAF OK, METAR not so nice.

BTW, airlines regularly dispatch to destination with TAF below minima. Who knows, it might improve during the 2 hour flight and you have fuel for diversion on board.

[FlingWingKing]

I drove to PE yesterday moring and dropped of a car at the airport as I was returning later that day on SA1390. The mist was as thick as my standard 5 history teacher....(duh)

Agree with Nugpot that dispatching is not determined by what the METAR says, but what the forecast (TAF) is for your arrival time (1 hour before to 1 hour after).

[cavortingcheetah]

:hmm:
Think you will find that the weather at destination, either actual or forecast has little to do with the legalities of dispatch. The forecast for the diversion airfield, however, most definitely does.:)

[Solid Rust Twotter]

It would appear the niceties of despatch or not with the destination below minima is more an economic call than a legal one...

[nugpot]

It would appear the niceties of despatch or not with the destination below minima is more an economic call than a legal one...


True that it is an economic decision, but you are legally allowed to despatch with the destination forecast to be below minima as long as the diversion criteria are met.

In fact, you are allowed to despatch without having any forecast for destination, as long as you have two legal diversions.

[Solid Rust Twotter]

That's it. Surprised the lo-cos despatched but I guess they also have to meet schedules.

[dr27]

another trick is to dispatch to the so called alternative but in reality aim for your true distenation in the first instance and closer to the time have a look at the weather....