heathrow approach stack question
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Joburg
Age: 69
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
heathrow approach stack question
Aircraft from the Ockham stack generally peel off and approach the field from the south. Occasionally though, esecially during the 6am rush, they peel off and fly north over the field and join the approach from the north, fitting in between LAM and BOV arrivals. Interested to hear if there is a "rule" as to when this is done, or is it based on the landing runway.
Tks
Tks
Last edited by starliner; 30th Jul 2012 at 05:56.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: On the wireless...
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is totally at the discretion of the Heathrow Number 1 Director (The Master Director if it is 'split' No.1 N and No. 1 South). The vectoring to the landing runway includes both right and left-hand circuits and if spare capacity is identified in the opposite circuit then an aircraft may, subject to mutual agreement, be taken 'over the top'. It is often an option if there are 'too many off the stack'. The only constraint is that the aircraft must remain within the joint radar vectoring area. The Number 2 (Final) Director isn't bothered which side they appear from as long as they are sensibly spaced for the base turn. Certain ATCOs favour its use more than others when under pressure. Colloquially known as 'Over the top' meaning over the top of the Final Approach sequence hence the initial descent from minimum stack level to (say) only 5000'. It happens occasionally off BNN too then they are taken left-hand. The Radar Directors are mentally 'counting' the track distance all the time for 'Continuous Descent Approaches' and the 'Over the Top' is yet another path-stretching 'tool in the bag' along with 'orbits' and 'once more around the hold'. It can also happen on easterlies as well but much more rarely as there is greater room to maneuver in the first place.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sometimes to reduce airbourne delays they choose the odd inbound aircraft to land on the departure runway. Aircraft are chosen tactically depending on the landing order, wake turbulence catagories and which terminal they are parking at. (Seach for Threads on "Heathrow TEAM")
Say a 747 is approaching from one of the south stacks for 27L and the following aircraft, an A320 also from the south stacks is for 27R. Intermediate Wake Turbulence rules dictate that you must either remain at least 5 miles behind or 1000ft above, but the controllers want to end up with the A320 2 miles(?) diagonally behind the 747 once they're both established on their respective final approaches. By planning ahead and placing the A320 on the other side, it saves Heathrow Final Director quite a bit of work and makes it much easier to put the A320 2 miles diagonally from the 747 infront.
This is one reason for it! I hope the explanation makes sense.
Say a 747 is approaching from one of the south stacks for 27L and the following aircraft, an A320 also from the south stacks is for 27R. Intermediate Wake Turbulence rules dictate that you must either remain at least 5 miles behind or 1000ft above, but the controllers want to end up with the A320 2 miles(?) diagonally behind the 747 once they're both established on their respective final approaches. By planning ahead and placing the A320 on the other side, it saves Heathrow Final Director quite a bit of work and makes it much easier to put the A320 2 miles diagonally from the 747 infront.
This is one reason for it! I hope the explanation makes sense.
Sometimes to reduce airbourne delays they choose the odd inbound aircraft to land on the departure runway. Aircraft are chosen tactically depending on the landing order, wake turbulence catagories and which terminal they are parking at.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 78
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
??? What happened to TEAM? The procedure for running over the top has been in use for many, many years. Its' so much easier for the Final Director. I used to do it all the time during the 06-0700 hour.
What happened to TEAM?
Like TEAM, but subject to less stringent delay triggers, and can be deployed at any time from 0700 until the last arrival.
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: engineer at large
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Departures and arrivals from the same runway end, without real time wake turbulence measurement, is lemming talk... 
especially with marine and inversion layers present...
especially with marine and inversion layers present...
Departures and arrivals from the same runway end, without real time wake turbulence measurement, is lemming talk
