Airport briefing Zurich and Oslo

[Olendirk]

Guys,

any good hints and helps, attention to what and what usage of taxiways?

Thanks!

OD

[Thunderbug]

OD.

OSL is easy. Very standard with no real gotchas. Airport set within a valley, so terrain in all sectors and can be prone to fog.

ZRH is a completely different prospect. Firstly there is again terrain in most sectors and is prone to fog. Usual config is landing RW14 and take off RW28.

There is nearly always a tailwind on to RW14 and can be close to limiting. If they can't use RW14 and late at night due noise they use RW28 for landing off an uncategorized ILS.

During the descent you can be left high and then given shortened track miles. To complicate matters my outfit has a limit to be in the landing config by 3500' (2000'AAL) due to a small hill that can trigger a GPWS. Throughout all this you will probably be told to keep your speed up.

Departures and taxi layout are easy, although some junctions are difficult in very low vis.

Have fun.
Cheers
T'bug :ok:

[TopBunk]

OSL - agree, frequently direct to CF if approaching from the south to land towards the north; otherwise expect vectors very close to the STAR track. Landing usually on 01R or 19R with takeoffs on 01L and 19L. Quiet airport generally, good ATC efficient ground handling with air/electrics promptly available. Ramp deicing on stand centrelines only, so can be slippery transitioning to/from taxiways.

ZRH - generally a quiet airport, except for early evening for departures and slightly later for arrivals. ATC reluctant to use ILS to northerly runways to avoid noise for burgers of Zurich town, so expect vectors or clearance with STAR to 28 in the evenings. Terrain an issue on all approaches with high MSA's/SSA's, and especially on 14 approach with hill that claimed Alitalia DC9 about 15 years ago. If approaching from west to land 14 (the norm) the descent profile can be challenging in icing with a 50+kt westerly at altitude. The final approach itself can see the wind rapidly changing direction and speed with associated turbulence and windshear. On teh ground be aware of the runway intersections/possible incursions.

Quite a challenging airport, not helped by late ATC descent clearances and speed control.