Parallel Runways

[pilotgirl3]

Here's a purely academic question folks

What is the mandatory minimum separation distance between parallel runways? Is there a minimum requirement for the thresholds to be staggered as well?

Appreciate any input or references.

Cheers

[scoteros]

Yes there are minimum distances to be respected but I don't have the numbers.

I am sure of this because that's the main problem in DXB where they have 2 huge parallel runways and even staggered BUT not enough to be used as independent parallel runways.

So they have to respect some separation between landing aircraft on one runway and aircraft taking off from the parallel one...

You should find your answer somewhere in the ICAO document where the criteria for parallel runway operation must be specified.

[STBYRUD]

ICAO merely has recommendations regarding this issue, quoting from Annex 14 Volume 1 here:

1035m for independent parallel approaches
915m for dependent parallel approaches
760m for independent parallel departures
760m for segregated parallel operations

except that:

a) for segregated parallel operations the specified minimum distance
-may be decreased by 30m for each 150 m that the arrival runway is staggered toward the arriving aircraft, to a minimum of 300m
-should be increased by 30m for each 150 m that the arrival runway is staggered away from the arriving aircraft

b) for independent parallel approaches, combinations of minimum distances and associated conditions other than those specified in the PANS-ATM (Doc 4444) may be applied when it is determined that such combinations would not adversely affect the safety of aircraft operations

The 'staggering' clause was the reason that Frankfurt tried using '26L' in parallel to 25R, displacing the actual threshold of 25L to allow for shorter separation... They gave it up though, too much fuzz.

[pilotgirl3]

STBYRUD

Thanks a ton.

[Juan Tugoh]

For ILS/PRM and LDA/PRM approaches the minimum distance between runways is 750 ft. Have a look at SFO 28L and R, the separation there must be close to the minimum and there is virtually no threshold stagger between the two runways.

[pilotgirl3]

Will check. thanks!

[compressor stall]

FWIW, Calcutta, 150m apart, but staggered 1400m. (not that India is necessarily the best example of ICAO-ness :} )