LHR - easterly operations
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LHR - easterly operations
I was wondering if anyone could tell me the longest continuous period of time recently during which Heathrow has used easterly operations i.e. with landings and take-offs on 09L / R?
Also, probably a stupid question, but is it ONLY the wind direction (and speed) that determines whether westerly or easterly operations are in force?
Thanks,
MM
Also, probably a stupid question, but is it ONLY the wind direction (and speed) that determines whether westerly or easterly operations are in force?
Thanks,
MM
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Our manual says that we stay on westerly ops until we get a tailwind of 5 kts due to westerlies being preferred for noise reasons. This is conditional on it being a dry runway and a minimum crosswind component of 12kts.
Other factors we take into account:
-Work in progress, if it affects any runway exits, departure holding points.
-Lighting faults; at night, if the taxiway and runway lighting system has a fault on or near a runway.
-Navaids
-Traffic and forecast wind (ie. if it's 0545 - 15 minutes before the inbound stampede begins - and it's 180/5kts with westerlies, and at 0700 it's forecast to go to 090/10kts, you'd swap ends then because it will cause a whole lot of grief and delays at 0700!)
As for your first question, I have no idea, but anecdotally I reckon a week or so.
Other factors we take into account:
-Work in progress, if it affects any runway exits, departure holding points.
-Lighting faults; at night, if the taxiway and runway lighting system has a fault on or near a runway.
-Navaids
-Traffic and forecast wind (ie. if it's 0545 - 15 minutes before the inbound stampede begins - and it's 180/5kts with westerlies, and at 0700 it's forecast to go to 090/10kts, you'd swap ends then because it will cause a whole lot of grief and delays at 0700!)
As for your first question, I have no idea, but anecdotally I reckon a week or so.
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Originally Posted by Gonzo
Our manual says that we stay on westerly ops until we get a tailwind of 5 kts due to westerlies being preferred for noise reasons.
Adam
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Well the Queen's house for one...
On westerlies we alternate each day to spread the noise out. Whereas the Cranford Agreement prevents 09L deps unless 09R is unavailable for departure.
In response to the original question if it is only wind that makes us change, apathy can also prevent a change in ends...................... eh gonzo?
On westerlies we alternate each day to spread the noise out. Whereas the Cranford Agreement prevents 09L deps unless 09R is unavailable for departure.
In response to the original question if it is only wind that makes us change, apathy can also prevent a change in ends...................... eh gonzo?
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Many moons back I was told that there are people with a lot of clout living in the "expensive" areas out around Henley which is why the easterlies night-time descent restrictions on Sunday morning apply for an hour longer than on westerlies (if they still do, of course!)
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Gatwick used to pair (bothlaunching/recovering in same direction)with LHR is this still the case? You can often get lhr on some volmets but not lgw, the info is necessary to load the fmgc
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Cornwallis.... Sorry, don't understand your banter! Pairing? Launching/recovering in same direction?? Both Gatwick and Heathrow wx is available on volmet. Explain what you mean more precisely and I'll gladly try to help.
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Cornwallis, the answer to your query is that Northolt adopt the same runway direction as Heathrow, but Gatwick make their own decision as to runway in use and to my knowledge always have.
