Brisbane Storm
MW - I've seen exactly the same thing at the old BKK. A CX B773 and QF B744 sitting it out at the holding point, a CX A330 does a missed approach, bucketing rain, the windsock all over the place, bolts of lightning striking all around us - while all the other Asian operators arrive/depart as though nothing was wrong...
A good post....
A good post....
'MW & Framer' make good points here:-) The biggest issue here in this story book is commercial pressure, it exists in all walks of life but damned dangerous in aviation as it has no place in a Capt mindset when he/she is making a decision whether/wether/weather (3 in the Engrish language) it's safe to land or not.
As we know the 'save face' is huge in some cultures & we have all seen the results of that in aviation but it really does exist in a more supple way in our western culture to I believe, not always but it's out there lurking in the minds of some .
We are damned lucky that our WX here down under is pretty good all year round compared to OS & the fact that we have such a great ATC system....cough cough cough means we can take comfort in that we are being well looked after & considered
Wmk2
As we know the 'save face' is huge in some cultures & we have all seen the results of that in aviation but it really does exist in a more supple way in our western culture to I believe, not always but it's out there lurking in the minds of some .
We are damned lucky that our WX here down under is pretty good all year round compared to OS & the fact that we have such a great ATC system....cough cough cough means we can take comfort in that we are being well looked after & considered
Wmk2
Compared with parts of Central Europe, North America and Asia, Oz wx is indeed benign.....most of the time. When we do get storms, generally we have the freedom of airspace to safely avoid them - luxuries that the above mentioned areas don't always have. Storm avoidance here is usually only a matter of requesting a clearance to divert off track a few miles, or holding for half an hour.
Sure, we get thunderstorms that do have the potential to destroy aircraft. Indeed, have destroyed aircraft. But for 8 months of the year when many other places are dealing with monsoons, hailstorms, gales, snow and ice, we have it too easy. Too easy makes for complacence.
Sure, we get thunderstorms that do have the potential to destroy aircraft. Indeed, have destroyed aircraft. But for 8 months of the year when many other places are dealing with monsoons, hailstorms, gales, snow and ice, we have it too easy. Too easy makes for complacence.
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5 sector days in the Eastern US is way harder than toodling around Oz. PHL/ORD/JFK/BOS in the winter aint easy. This does not happen in oz anywhere. Throw in tornado's across the mid west and snow storms into Eagle and Vale and you really work hard.
Before I did some flying in the tropics, there was one piece of advice an old captain told me.
In regards to flying an approach with a thunderstorm on the approach or over the airfield. He said "the sun will always be shining over your wreckage."
I have always held when active thunderstorms are around, usually no more than 20 minutes, 30 at the most. If the company doesn't like it, my passengers and fellow crew certainly do!
In regards to flying an approach with a thunderstorm on the approach or over the airfield. He said "the sun will always be shining over your wreckage."
I have always held when active thunderstorms are around, usually no more than 20 minutes, 30 at the most. If the company doesn't like it, my passengers and fellow crew certainly do!
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O/S WX
I did same IN GENERAL, and I'll stand by that.
I have operated into JFK, ORD, ANC etc as well as lower east coast and I'd agree about northern US. I've also operated into most of Asia and wouldn't say it's any more difficult there than here, but in general WAY better nav aid/radar situation and wx reporting than Australia other than, say, on the east coast. I'd also put most of Europe into the same category as Asia.
I have operated into JFK, ORD, ANC etc as well as lower east coast and I'd agree about northern US. I've also operated into most of Asia and wouldn't say it's any more difficult there than here, but in general WAY better nav aid/radar situation and wx reporting than Australia other than, say, on the east coast. I'd also put most of Europe into the same category as Asia.
