QF10 Interesting routing tonight
 

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d090bf1ea6.png
Long way home tonight.

ZNB was struck by lightning enroute MEL-DRW on Sunday.

So scared to go direct tonight ? Or checking out the GAFA ?

YBAS not a good enough diversion aerodrome?

Non-ETOPS (or whatever it's called these days) with Alice unavailable? We did some convoluted tracks like this on the 767 from Japan to Cairns when Port Moresby wasn't available and only 120 mins ETOPS. Mind you there was no ADSB 'watching' either so a few corners might have been straightened out…..avoiding weather of course.:)

FL260 via a scenic route would suggest a fuel burning exercise.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....6cf74ab460.png
A330 PER-BNE non-EDTO route with YBAS closed. Approx 6.5 hrs😣

Why is everyone flying around non-EDTO?

Aircraft was filled with fuel for London but had to go to Melbourne for maintenance after lightning strike. So yes it was purely a fuel burning exercise.

Thanks for that - was the lightning strike before or after it got to Darwin ?
I would presume before - so why fill it up ?

if struck enroute to Darwin why the need for the unusual routing back to Melbourne? Did they land at Darwin and fuel up for London before realising the aircraft would be required to return to Melbourne?

I’m no expert but wouldn’t it have been prudent to assume the worst and not put on London fuel in Darwin I assume until they knew that would be the destination?

Can the aircraft defuel? Is Darwin setup for Defuel ?

The B787 can be defuelled; however, fuel that is removed from an aircraft must be stored in a separate tanker. It cannot be mixed with other fuel to reduce the risk of contamination that might affect other aircraft. They would not have been able to defuel the aircraft unless they had an empty tanker or two on hand. Many years ago, I had to defuel a B777 after a refuelling error at a Middle Eastern airport. It took the engineers several hours to find a single empty tanker.

Just pump it straight into another aircraft.
I am sure plenty of local operators would have welcomed some free fuel.

Probably went on a kangaroo sight seeing tour knowing you Aussies :O

The only sight seeing we do with roos is through a telescopic one, a gun sight.

run that one past legal….
And that’s a lot of 44’s.

Haha amen brother!

Weather radar inop and it routed around areas with thunderstorm predictions?

As mentioned in an earlier post…….

Was it possibly a weather radar inop? The routing to avoid forecast storms, could answer why it was hit by lightning in the first place or maybe the result of.

I just wondering what the legal implications will be in the future regarding this sort of 'burning off' fossil fuels for pure convenience rather than dealing with the waste in an environmentally friendly method. It really is no different to pouring your waste in the local creek cause its easier than organising proper disposal. BTW it's not just QF that deal with fuel overloads like this.

How about flying empty A380's around the world to save a dollar? As long as they keep showing 'commitment' to green sustainability garbage, the aviation industry is anything but green. ask the cleaners how they recycle the thousands of tiny water bottles and mini cans used every flight, yup straight into the bin. they get in trouble for wasting time seperating them for recycling whether or not they keep the 10cent refund.

There's very few companies with a conscience out there, most of what looks like progressive or green practice is forced on them by rules, either existing or incoming. There was no better example than the Australian mining boss who was awarded for green policy in his business as it seemed proactive in addressing environmental issues within it's Australian operations. In reality they were only complying with Australian guidelines, nothing in excess of that, meanwhile in New Guinea they were dumping gold mine tailings in the ocean next to reefs and inhabited islands. When asked about this process, which was banned in Australia, the answer was, "That is a different country with different rules..." So much for proactive environmentalism, we just admit we got awarded for following the rules...

They wanted to keep away from the new Class E airspace at Ayers Rock :)