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OMAAbound
9th Apr 2013, 09:49
Hi all
Did a LHR the other day, at arounf 1400UTC we were given hold for 20 with Vectors onto runway 9R, when landing noticed that the Airport was on Single use mode, any ideas why?
Many Thanks
It was possibly a runway inspection of the usual landing runway in that configuration, 09L. We provide up to a 15nm gap in arrivals to allow it to take place.
HEATHROW DIRECTOR
9th Apr 2013, 13:45
No "on-off" basis now Gonzo?
OMAAbound
9th Apr 2013, 14:13
thnaks fo the repy
It just felt a bit unusual that the inspecion took so long, they were still on single use by the time that we were disembarking the aircraft (crew)
seemed to be back to normal when we were going past on the bus, also noticed as well that lately at around 2220 LT, they change to 9L departures as well, is there any reason for this, or are they carrying out maintenance work on 9R at this time?
Many thanks
OMAA
We've just started resurfacing the southern runway at night, so we close it at 2230 local.
Bear in mind that we can, and often do, land aircraft on the southern runway if it is quiet outbound, so while you may have landed in a period of the runway inspection, it is also possible that you saw the odd arrival using 09R while 09L was still being used for landing at the same time.
HD, on/off routine inspections were done away with a few years ago. Now we have a sterile runway and two vehicles, each doing one half of the runway. While nobody can argue that it has mitigated poor technique causing conflictions during hte on-off inspections, it also means that many ATCOs now have no idea how long a vehicle takes to vacate the runway when asked.
OMAAbound
9th Apr 2013, 18:58
Many thanks Gonzo for the info, that clears things up nicely for me now.
what hours out of interest is the southern runway closed from, 2230-0430? Around them times?
could i also ask Gonzo, why ground aren't letting certain A/C use taxiway S but make them cross 9L to taxiway A?
We give the runway away at 2230 local and the aim is for us to receive it again at 0540 local.
The only aircraft that cannot use Sierra and need to cross to depart from the northern side of 09R are A380s, although if there is another aircraft on Sierra that has a technical problem, or taxiway/lighting repairs, may mean other aircraft have to cross.