A little while ago, Freedom had the misfortune of bogging a maingear while lining up on Melbourne 27.
Plenty of us defended the crew, learnt a lesson and moved on: A great many though had all kinds of "poor form" and "bad airmanship" type remarks to post about the incident.
What Id like to know now is: Where are all of these heros now? Why has the peanut gallery gone so quiet on this event?
Do a search on the thread, Im sure you'll find it fascinating to make the comparison!

bbbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzbbbbzbzbz

From one troll to another....

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz....:zzz:

Schnauzer, yeah, OK, that comment was a bit flippent esp as yesterday with crap wx and darkness a bit earlier here, I was glad of an exp chap in the other seat to guide around the Int terminal.

3 Bars and R & E, couldn't have said it better.

Mr. Buzzy, isn't it interesting....

Oh, and don't expect the other runway to be here soon. Maybe in 10 years... then all international flights going north (from the existing runway) will have to pass through the domestic flights going south (from the new runway). Go figure!

How can you make a proper comparison when you have NO details to work on. So far ( and I am not sayng it DIDN'T happen) all that has been presented is a bunch of unsubstantiated rumours!

Get some details and maybe we can have some intelligent comment, 3 bars posts notwithstanding.

"Qantas lines up on wrong runway"

Are you sure BCF.

From the posts following your rumour it appears that it was not a runway at the time of the occurrence. It was in fact a taxiway.

Should instead your comment read Qantas lines up for take off on taxiway.

Does sound difficult over there at present warranting greater vigilance than normal. Keep it safe guys a lot of people count on you to get right every time.

...and EVERY single one has been designed at the specific request of an operator.... fact ... go figure....

...and I bet that operator is Air NZ. They control everything aviation in that country! It's time everybody [NZ aviation] looked beyond the back fence.

Oh, and it's not Qantas in Oz (they do control the Govt) or the larger Airlines/Boeing in the US.

The change of transition in NZ came as a shock to ALL operators there.

Yeah, these stories get way out of hand. I was greeted by an aeroclub type the other day in Martha's Vineyard who thought I had just landed at Nantucket by mistake.

I did fly a passenger from Chicago to Nantucket, then ferried the 0.1 it took to get Martha's Vineyard to fly passengers out of there.

Who the hell knows what happened, probably nothing!

As a pilot who operated in and out of Auckland daily for the last 3 years or so, I quite agree with 3Bars assesment of the place. For the regular operators, generally no problems, but I think there are any number of traps for those pilots who might only operate there a few times a year.

As for "the SID's and STARs are insane" comment, I really cannot figure that one out, maybe you'd care to be more specific?

Nosey

The major works at AKL have not been well managed, but given the fact that there is only one "proper" runway, they have been prolonged (predicatble) and unsatisfactory (also predictable). They have done their best with the 2nd runway/taxiway - actually installed a LLZ, and there is now also a RNAV/VNAV approach to that "runway" whilst work proceeds on the main runway from April.

AKL is not a complex airport. By most international standards, it's a piece of p*ss to find your way around - compared to some airports it's barely provincial...and you can see most of the time.

If someone thinks the SID/STARs at AKL are "insane" - well, they really need to get out more...

I have absolutely no connection with AIAL....:cool:

I find it hard to find fault with the Jet SIDs.........no initial hold-down and straight ahead.

The original post happened circa 20 Feb 05, direct to Adelade Flight, early morning. Lined up on 23R, which had no lights on, had work in progress (no workmen), and were advised by tower that they were on the wrong runway. Made some light of the comment, re-positioned and then departed via 23L to Oz.
I hope the Skippy Skipper sent a case of VB or Bundy to the controller for being awake/onto it at that hour.

It CAN happen to ANYONE.

The SID's and STARS aren't the real problem.

It is definitely whoever the turkey was that designed the joint, quite obviously without consulting any other airport in the world!

Taxiing around, particularly at night in rain (happens a lot), is quite a challenging exercise at times. (putting it extremely mildly)

Parallel runways too close together that can't be used at the same time.

Whoever designed the taxiway designators needs to be shot.

Whoever decided to call a runway that is a taxiway a runway needs to be shot (yes that is correct. That is how confusing the joint is)

The taxi instructions given are confusing due particularly to the runway that is a taxiway but is still called a runway.

Runway markings are strange.

If AirNZ designed it, I am glad I don't fly for them.

By the way, don't compare it to Christchurch. It is very simple to get in and out of. It is basically a small airport with some big jets coming and going. Nothing complicated or annoying (Except for the bloody interference on the ground freq!)

what the!
 

What are you lot on about.

23R/05L is only a TEMPORARY runway, while the main 23L/05R is being dug up and rebuilt, and upgraded to accept class F aircraft (A380 size)

23R/05L is only used once each year to reduce disruption to a minimum and still allow direct flights with reduced payload to North America. It takes 6 hours to close the main and establish the temporary runway. When the runway works on the main runway is all complete (2007ish) the temporary runway will be dis-established.

The operation was based off Gatwick Airport who had the same problem of a runway that built in the early 1960's that was breaking up and needed to be replaced.

The consultation list is quite large for any changes, Qantas and Air NZ are the two largest operators, Airwork, Airfreight, RNZAF, Great Barrier, Mountain Air etc (16 operators total) are all represented at any changes to the airport.

Taxi way markings and signs, not good but getting better. Even CHC is starting to has some signs installed.

Since when has an Airline ever designed an Airport!

AKL was first built in 1960 and opened in 1966 the largest type flying then was the streched DC8 so it has not done to bad.

And no, I also do not work for AIAL.

If I remember rightly, some of the taxiway names were changed a couple of years ago. Golden opportunity to come up with something sensible. Instead we've got the current shambles. Maybe they could have another go?

"... the SID's and STAR's are insane..."

What? Could there possibly be SID's and STAR's that are worse than in Perth???

Surely not...


;)

can confirm (visually) yes it did happen

can also confirm (visually) that first lot of works 2 yrs ago was QFA B747 tried to line up on non active 23L

weather was fine, light was good

SIDS insane? takeoff - go straight ahead! Duh? missed straight climbs 101 did we?

and NO ct7 I have not recieved my beers but VB is definitely acceptable if they ever were to arrive. cheers mate.

Ah, so you were the onto it controller that didn't blink.
Well done.

Gee hasn't it gone quiet from the baggers on the West Island.

no - someone else gets the kudos this time, and yes they did (as always ) do well.