DXB Weather closure 25.2.07
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DXB Weather closure 25.2.07
Well, that was fun this morning. Did all you ATCO and pilot guys and gals west of the UAE/Oman border have as much fun as we did in Muscat?
Had an MAS B747 divert to Salalah for the first time in my 15 years here and Seeb was full up with even some US military aircraft that probably shouldn't have been here. Lots of aircraft turning up at our border squeaking something about low fuel and the like with no co-ord whatsoever.
Seriously, we need to lay down some clear and workable plans so that we can endeavour to make the flow of traffic in these parts more efficient and safe when these events overtake us because it's only going to happen more frequently with more ferociousness.
A few things spring to mind; why can't the military air bases be more accommodating, if even for a few hours so that these diversion jets can pick up some fuel and wait for a weather break? How about designated holding patterns in all surrounding units that can be instantly used as soon as it becomes apparent that no more landings can take place? How about laying down a bit more asphalt everywhere just for such occasions? The list goes on; feel free to add to it.
Thanks to most of you who didn't keep on pestering for information that we didn't have and waited till the info was at hand. That's professionalism
Had an MAS B747 divert to Salalah for the first time in my 15 years here and Seeb was full up with even some US military aircraft that probably shouldn't have been here. Lots of aircraft turning up at our border squeaking something about low fuel and the like with no co-ord whatsoever.
Seriously, we need to lay down some clear and workable plans so that we can endeavour to make the flow of traffic in these parts more efficient and safe when these events overtake us because it's only going to happen more frequently with more ferociousness.
A few things spring to mind; why can't the military air bases be more accommodating, if even for a few hours so that these diversion jets can pick up some fuel and wait for a weather break? How about designated holding patterns in all surrounding units that can be instantly used as soon as it becomes apparent that no more landings can take place? How about laying down a bit more asphalt everywhere just for such occasions? The list goes on; feel free to add to it.
Thanks to most of you who didn't keep on pestering for information that we didn't have and waited till the info was at hand. That's professionalism
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Faaarrk!Just got off the morning shift we copped the last couple of hours of it, the poor guys on the night shift were 2 short due to sickness and got hammered.
I apologise to anyone due to my massive sense of humour failure for those arriving/departing from the east of DXB but that ****e frequency was the last thing I needed, we were still tidying up the mess with holding at 2pm this arvo.
Now to kick that fuggin cat and drink the cupboard dry
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Seriously, we need to lay down some clear and workable plans so that we can endeavour to make the flow of traffic in these parts more efficient and safe when these events overtake us because it's only going to happen more frequently with more ferociousness.
These guys have failed to realise that something needs urgent thinking and it must have been done years ago.
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For a few hours this morning, it was quite interesting everywhere between between KWI and MCT. One of the more memorable flights I've had in the region (I guess just because we are spoiled-- they probably do this type of thing in Europe on an almost daily basis). 
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Forecast showed 30% prob 1500m Vis. Coming from BOM yesterday, we heard the poor MAS chap diverting to SLL (due no more space avail in MCT )and getting info from "Majan".
Listening to DXB wx, vis was 100M in fog. I wonder what time it cleared up.
BP
Listening to DXB wx, vis was 100M in fog. I wonder what time it cleared up.
BP
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duty time?
Several of my cabin crew friends' flights were delayed to almost seven hours.. waiting for connection flights to arrive..
does one not exceed duty time then?
does one not exceed duty time then?
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Simple solution, why don't they stop p1ssing around with the new runway, get it finished and sort out the CAT IIIB ASAP. (oh, and get some decent wx forcasters in - its got to be the easiest MET job on the planet 99% of the year, but they still don't seem to get it right!!)
This has happened every year with the change of seasons for the past 2 million years, why haven't we got CATIII sorted yet? No lack of funds, so no excuse!!!
This has happened every year with the change of seasons for the past 2 million years, why haven't we got CATIII sorted yet? No lack of funds, so no excuse!!!
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Atco1962
Quote: Had an MAS B747 divert to Salalah for the first time in my 15 years here and Seeb was full up with even some US military aircraft that probably shouldn't have been here. Lots of aircraft turning up at our border squeaking something about low fuel and the like with no co-ord whatsoever.
IF those aircraft arrived from the Western side of the border...especially the military guys...then it was coordinated! 3 times, by the Assistant, by the supervisor and by the UAE south controller...if it came from elsewhere, I can't comment
Puts on a Monty Python hat..."I dream about a second runway in DXB" I also dream about being able to give Dubai only 10 miles... can't see that happening in the near future
IF those aircraft arrived from the Western side of the border...especially the military guys...then it was coordinated! 3 times, by the Assistant, by the supervisor and by the UAE south controller...if it came from elsewhere, I can't comment
Puts on a Monty Python hat..."I dream about a second runway in DXB" I also dream about being able to give Dubai only 10 miles...
can't see that happening in the near future
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Hey, duck; only relaying what was told to me by the person who was on Central sector. After having a chat, it was probably a case of late co-ord rather than none at all. Either way, it was a bun fight in the middle of changing over watches and just emphasises the need to have a good, written plan, with procedures in place, so that we don't have to use jury-rigged tactics to survive!
One further gripe; the US military aircraft that we took under "fuel emergency" conditions were Al Dhafra based. We knew that OMAA was open when these aircraft diverted to Seeb and, upon inquiring, were told that OMAA is a "civil-only" airfield. Since when does that preclude emergency traffic from landing?? It would have been interesting to see the fallout if one of the KC135s had flamed out on short final here.
Anyway, it turned out fine and we should all have a group hug!!
Oh, and the doors are wide open for you and foxy to return. Just pick up the phone
One further gripe; the US military aircraft that we took under "fuel emergency" conditions were Al Dhafra based. We knew that OMAA was open when these aircraft diverted to Seeb and, upon inquiring, were told that OMAA is a "civil-only" airfield. Since when does that preclude emergency traffic from landing?? It would have been interesting to see the fallout if one of the KC135s had flamed out on short final here.
Anyway, it turned out fine and we should all have a group hug!!
Oh, and the doors are wide open for you and foxy to return. Just pick up the phone
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Either way, it was a bun fight in the middle of changing over watches and just emphasises the need to have a good, written plan, with procedures in place, so that we don't have to use jury-rigged tactics to survive!
I wish your message gets through instead of the "call me if you have a problem" startegy leading to scrambling for solutions at last minute in an area where airports aren't available at will, sometimes due to politics.
they probably do this type of thing in Europe on an almost daily basis).
In Europe and elsewhere in the wintry Northern Hemisphere (with the exception of Russia), you can almost divert anywhere. Well, the Americans are a bit selective (funny) sometimes. And it doesn't happen everyday even for a CAT I operator. It comes in "monthly" waves where a large area envolving cross-border countries is either very foggy or snow removing human and material resources aren't sufficient for such heavy precipitation.
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My comment was slightly tongue in cheek (I know that the sun ocasionally does come out in places like London and Frankfurt and that the mercury does screech up into the '30's there maybe once or twice a decade.) 
However, you mentioned something I didn't think of. In Europe they are probably more accomodating because widespread WX contingencies are more likely to happen, unlike in the Gulf where it caught a number of us by surprise.
Oh well, at least nothing more damaging than near-empty tanks, accelerated heartbeats and stained undies.
I learned a few things that day too.
However, you mentioned something I didn't think of. In Europe they are probably more accomodating because widespread WX contingencies are more likely to happen, unlike in the Gulf where it caught a number of us by surprise.
Oh well, at least nothing more damaging than near-empty tanks, accelerated heartbeats and stained undies.
I learned a few things that day too.
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Oh what a night.....
Kandahah whilst having the odd mortar round hit the perimeter road is looking good after the bun fight from the other night here in the UAE.
Has taken 2 days to respond to the **** up we all enjoyed the other morning as I went into rehab at Trader Vic's in Dubai trying to restore my compsure after another MEM (Middle East Moment).
When people ask me to describe the Aviation/Air Traffic environment in the Middle East/UAE I describe it as a 3 dimensional 'Shiek Zayed Road'.....
i.e A complete cluster!
The only difference is the Dubai monorail may provide some saving grace to the catastrophic traffic situation here in Dubai....but we cant build a monorail at 15,000 feet so basically we are stuffed!!
Now, must think happy thoughts.....
Has taken 2 days to respond to the **** up we all enjoyed the other morning as I went into rehab at Trader Vic's in Dubai trying to restore my compsure after another MEM (Middle East Moment).
When people ask me to describe the Aviation/Air Traffic environment in the Middle East/UAE I describe it as a 3 dimensional 'Shiek Zayed Road'.....
i.e A complete cluster!
The only difference is the Dubai monorail may provide some saving grace to the catastrophic traffic situation here in Dubai....but we cant build a monorail at 15,000 feet so basically we are stuffed!!
Now, must think happy thoughts.....
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Only one thing to say about the monorail, dont let the Brits near it!
We seem to have amazing trouble at keeping trains on the tracks?
I came in from the East and the forecast was 4k. Imagine my surprise when halfway across India DXB was forecasting 200m FG. I had also been stuffed on my levels all the way from BKK. The western part of the UAE was fogged out, the only place to go was Al Ain with the fuel I had on board. Aircraft in front went around. This did get the heart going, but I was lucky to get in.
More fog this morning I can see!!! or not as the case may be.
We seem to have amazing trouble at keeping trains on the tracks?
I came in from the East and the forecast was 4k. Imagine my surprise when halfway across India DXB was forecasting 200m FG. I had also been stuffed on my levels all the way from BKK. The western part of the UAE was fogged out, the only place to go was Al Ain with the fuel I had on board. Aircraft in front went around. This did get the heart going, but I was lucky to get in.
More fog this morning I can see!!! or not as the case may be.
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OMRK, RAK as alternate
Often used as diversion, emergency back stop.
When the fog rolled in, when asked RAK could only offer 3 parking spaces.
The apron taken up with scrap 747, and 1011, aircraft.
The Radar at RAK, was removed due to costs.....so when the flood of traffic does arrive they will have EAT of +30 each...
When the fog rolled in, when asked RAK could only offer 3 parking spaces.
The apron taken up with scrap 747, and 1011, aircraft.
The Radar at RAK, was removed due to costs.....so when the flood of traffic does arrive they will have EAT of +30 each...
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Gulfstream...
And to add to that, they are starting an airline from there with,
A. a procedural aerodrome;
B. The procedural capability of only accepting one acft at a time; and
C. Smack bang in the middle of an already overcrowded, undermanned, equipment limited and mis-managed FIR...i.e UAE.
Oh and well done......
we have also just thrown in a PJE jump zone right in the middle of now the busiest and most dangerous (yes dangerous!) arrival/departure route through DARAX.
Take this opportunity to thank DUBAI APP for making the new challenge we now face in the Centre run smoothly with the departure and arrival headings for deconfliction. BZ
A. a procedural aerodrome;
B. The procedural capability of only accepting one acft at a time; and
C. Smack bang in the middle of an already overcrowded, undermanned, equipment limited and mis-managed FIR...i.e UAE.
Oh and well done......
we have also just thrown in a PJE jump zone right in the middle of now the busiest and most dangerous (yes dangerous!) arrival/departure route through DARAX.Take this opportunity to thank DUBAI APP for making the new challenge we now face in the Centre run smoothly with the departure and arrival headings for deconfliction. BZ