Runway choice at Dublin

[cornwallis]

There is currently wip at Dublin.I turned up in Dublin the other morning in my heavy jet and was given RW 16 (6700ft) with a 9kt tailwind!!!It was fortunate that we were reasonably light.I felt like questioning why they were using this runway rather than use the other end but in the end did not ask the question.Can anybody from Dublin ATC explain the choice of runway and what they would have offered if we had said we were too heavy to accept this runway?

[SM4 Pirate]

Ever heard of the word "REQUIRE"; if you can't take a nominated runway(s) you use that word and you'll find out what the other options are.

There are a whole bunch of reasons why the best apparent runway aren't used; most of them nothing to do with ATC. I have had days where there was 25K on the tailwind at 500ft and a head wind on the deck. In these circumstances departures may want something different to arrivals; so the runway choice is never right depending on your point of view.

[Robot1]

When your only available rwys are 16 or 34, it must be remembered that although they are the same lenght, the similarities end there. Rwy 34 is a non precision approach with the requirement to become visual earlier than on a 16 ILS. Therefore, if the weather is marginal there may be a lean towards Rwy 16. Also there was a very nasty incident in recent times (full details on AAIU site) with traffic on app rwy 34 mistaking the lights on the Days Inn in Santry for landing aids. Although there have been procedures put in place since, controllers are naturally very wary when using, or when making the decision to use, rwy 34.

If you could not accept rwy16, then rwy 34 would have been made available, and I'd imagine (given the early hour) there would be a minimal delay for the switch. Rwy 10/28 would not be available within the notamed closure hours. If rwy 34 is not acceptable, there is a possibility of holding until 10/28 opens. Failing all that, "report your alternate".

[cornwallis]

Robot1,Thank you for your reply.I was unaware of the incident on 34.I thought they were using 16 for noise reasons.Landing on a short but wide runway with a large tailwind in the early hours concentrates the mind:eek:How long is the closure of RW10/28 going on for?The notam I saw expired yesterday morning.

[Red_All_Over]

Runway 10/28 closed each night from 11pm until 5am Monday night until Saturday morning for several more weeks. However more work due on 10/28 later in the summer. Dont be afraid to speak up if you want the other end.