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Air New Zealand plans first night flights into Queenstown (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/aviation/air-new-zealand-plans-first-night-flights-into-queenstown-20160127-gmf8m3.html)
mattyj
28th Jan 2016, 08:15
No wonder they can't get FOs on the 320..sheer terror
+ who wants to fly via Auckland to go anywhere.
AKL is nearly as bad as SYD to transit international to domestic or v.v.
On Track
30th Jan 2016, 05:07
XPT, in my experience AKL is the worst airport in Australasia to transit through, or for anything really. I've managed to boycott it successfully for several years now.
As for night flights into ZQN, I'd be interested to know what ALPA's safety concerns are. As a non-airline pilot I don't see why RNP night ops there would be any more hazardous than daytime ops in IMC. Anyone able to enlighten me?
Dale Hardale
30th Jan 2016, 05:13
RNP AR doesn't care whether it's day or night, so that's not an issue.
It's the runway/approach lighting that needs to be suitable. Once that's done, how would it be more hazardous than day IMC ops ??
Jonno_aus
30th Jan 2016, 05:35
I've done the LAX - AKL - MEL route with ANZ and transversing AKL was a breeze. :confused:
Queenstown looks scary enough during the day let alone at night. But anyway..
framer
30th Jan 2016, 08:44
For me, it is definitely easier to conduct the visual segment to a 1700m long, 30m wide runway with shifting winds in daylight than at night. I think it is because so much information comes from the visual of the surrounding area regarding vertical speed and glide path and aim point whereas at night more of that comes from instrumentation inside the aircraft, this means looking inside and then picking up the outside picture again. Definitely easier in the day.
mattyj
30th Jan 2016, 09:28
There's bugger all visual segment in the RNP-AR anyway
halas
31st Jan 2016, 09:53
Same approach for Kathmandu & Seychelles. Sphincter work-out but it gets the job done!
halas
LAX AKL MEL is international/international not domestic/international or v.v.
Capn Bloggs
31st Jan 2016, 22:47
Agreed, Framer. Makes you wonder if any of the others actually look out at all! :ooh:
dijical
1st Feb 2016, 03:36
I gather the runway has been widened to 45m for this purpose.
On Track
1st Feb 2016, 03:55
Work has commenced on widening the runway to 45m.
timings of late flights ZQN/AKL have them arriving @ AKL @ 2120, which is too late for all flights to Australia I believe, so will really only suit AKL locals.
http://australianaviation.com.au/2016/01/air-nz-slated-to-begin-queenstown-night-flights-from-july/
Sid Departure
1st Feb 2016, 09:04
On Track, I could enlighten you, but you're on the wrong Forum for that answer.
Chris2303
2nd Feb 2016, 02:30
Not too late for SIN/LAX/LON/HKG though.