146 @ BHD, Friday 2/5/03

[NWSRG]

Folks,

On Friday afternoon, after 5, I noticed a 146 departing BHD on 22. During climb out the aircraft appeared to come fairly close to an A320/1, which was heading for BFS. I know paths cross over the city fairly close anyway, but this did seem to be unusually close. I would say that the aircraft were no more than 1/2 mile apart. Then, the 146 turned north along the east coast of Belfast Lough, before turning south again, and finally turning right to land on 04. I was even wondering whether the aircraft had initially intended to land on 22 and performed a go-around. Can anyone shed any light?

[omoko joe]

the 146 was at 3000, with the bus going over the top at 4000. No closer than usual ;)

[NWSRG]

Thanks Omoko,

Any idea what the 146 was doing?

[with alacrity]

Sounds very much like a missed approach to rwy 22, possibly due to tail wind limits, followed by a radar vectored reposition to a loc/dme approach to rwy 04. Omoko Joe is quite correct about the levels of the BA46 and the Airbus. Vertical separation is vitally important in the sector of airspace you describe due to the conflictions of arriving/departing aircraft operating into the two airports.