Dubai ATC
 

Yesterday afternoon Dubai continued to use R/W 12 even with a tailwind exceeding 10 knots. Not only that, but insisting for aircraft to clear via M7; a near impossible task.

Better would have been to change the R/W. Landing with such tailwind is fraught with danger.

Sharpshooter41,

I am not familiar with the actual day that you are referring too, however here a few points that may, or may not, be relevant:

* Did you advise ATC upon arrival of the tailwind?
Did other aircraft experience and report the same conditions? ATC rarely "swap ends" on a single report unless it is blindingly obvious of the need to change. Its normally more subtle than that and you have to anticipate or identify a trend.
* Were you advised of the tailwind by either the ATIS or ATC either prior to or during your approach?
* What was the traffic situation? Was it a busy arrivals sequence? It normally takes at least 1/2 an hour to "swig the ship" during a busy arrivals sequence. Trying to balance avoiding holding and getting the last departures out can be a dark art and unfortunately you always have the last to arrive guys that invariably get the worst of the weather that has instigated the change.
* If it was unsafe why didn't you conduct a missed approach?
* What was the wind at the other end of the runway? It is more common than you think for the wind not to "play fair" and ATC have operate with the lessor of two evils depending on RWY's available and configuration.
* In my experience exit TWY's are normally requests - rarely requirements. We learn from experience of watching countless arrivals and departures that there are too many variables at play. You can be pretty sure, but there is always one that floats of doesn't brake like the rest etc etc. And besides you are PIC. If you can't make the requested exit, let ATC know and we move on to plan B. Or C. Problem solved.

I know this doesn't answer your specific question, but what I am saying is that there is often more going on than you perceive.

Flightfocus

Thank you for a very detailed reply. I must have been one of the last guys as the R/W soon got changed to 30.

Actually I was given a tailwind of 10 knots which is just about the limit for my aircraft. But the very next aircraft was told wind 300/12 knots. Had I been told the same I would have had no option but to go around. This aircraft also took most of the runway to stop.

My contention is that R/W should be changed the moment tailwind starts to increase and not when it is touching the limits for most aircraft.

But again let me say that controlling by Dubai ATC is always a treat to watch. A big thank you to all the guys and gals.