Loganair and "weather" delays

[Brutha]

Hi All,

I regularly travel on Loganair - up until about a year ago, they were very reliable.

In the last year, we have had many delays due to mechanical / technical reasons, and they've been quite open about it.

We're still getting the delays, especially in the last few weeks. However, they seem to have cottoned on to the fact that if the delay is down to weather, then they don't have any obligation to pay compensation.

So - we have the situation where we are sitting in (relatively!) pleasant weather at Benbecula, yet someone in Glasgow is being told that their flight is delayed due to "weather at Benbecula".

I'd like to have a way of finding out the truth: my assumption is that I could look at the METAR/TAF, e.g. here: Benbecula METAR/TAF.

If all the visibility looks fine i.e. high clouds, 10 km visibility, no storms etc forecast, then I assume the main thing to check is the wind.

If we have a forecast for example for 28 knots, gusting to 40, from a southerly direction, then the aircraft will be landing on runway 17 (think I got that right!).

The SAAB 340's I understand have a 35 knot crosswind capability. Can I assume that since the crosswind component of 40 knots for runway 17 would be well under 35 knots that winds can't be an issue?

And is there anything else I should check on the METAR/TAF? Are there things that could be considered "weather" that I can't see there?

Thanks in advance for any info!

Cheers

Brutha

[Gulf Julliet Papa]

Have you considered it may not be the weather there or GLA but elsewhere? ie. the aircrafts previous flights?

[Johnny F@rt Pants]

Have you considered it may not be the weather there or GLA but elsewhere? ie. the aircrafts previous flights?

Unfortunately this is irrelevant when it comes to this bloody ridiculous compo regulation, it is up to the operator to cover the flight with a replacement aeroplane

Brutha -

If we have a forecast for example for 28 knots, gusting to 40, from a southerly direction, then the aircraft will be landing on runway 17 (think I got that right!).

- Correct

I don't know Benbecula, but some airfields have restrictions with regards to wind that are irrelevant to an aeroplanes operating limits, there might be something relating to that. I'd be doubtful personally though, as 28 G40 is probably very common up there and would therefore shut the place on a very regular basis.

[The Range]

GJP, then I would assume the delay would be due to late arrival of the airplane.
Not to Wx.

[Brutha]

Thanks - yes, had considered that. In the example a couple of days back, the passengers on the GLA-BEB flight had boarded, then were asked to leave due to "weather in BEB" (I'm not sure at what point they were given the reason). From over here at BEB, there was clearly no weather issue. I understand that the same reason was given today.

It just seems odd that for 4 years frequent flying I've had no real problems at all - I don't even recall a particularly long delay, even due to high winds.

Then, we have the mechanical issues come along in the last year - and now, all of a sudden it changes to "weather", and the weather (on the whole network) is not that bad.

So, since I sadly don't trust Loganair much anymore, it would be nice to have some independent way of verifying what they are telling us!

ETA - I was replying to GJP there! Thanks for the replies in the meantime!

[Gulf Julliet Papa]

Hi Brutha,

Thanks for taking time to reply. I've found the historic metars (actual weather) for yesterday. Of particular interest at 1620 the wind changes from a fairly consistent 150 direction to 250. At 1720 the wind was 250/37G47 which gives about a 40kt Xwind for RW15, I'm not sure if there are other RWs? Also be aware that an aircrafts crosswind limit may be reduced by wet (or worse) runway, and reduction in runway width, and may also be different between take off and landing

[Brutha]

Thanks GJP, that's interesting - it sounds like it's possible there could have been real weather reasons for the cancellation of the later flight, in the afternoon.

Although, the reason might be slightly different: yes, there is another runway (the main one), which is 06/24. This one has lighting, but 17/35 does't, as far as I know.

There was already a couple of hours delay on the flight at the point it was cancelled - it's conceivable they were looking at the METAR showing the 150 degree wind. I'm speculating they might have gone past the point they could land on runway 17, since I assume it can only be used in daylight.

Cheers

Brutha

[ricardian]

If you have an account with the Book of Face then this link (Islanders for Fair Air Fares) may be of interest

[Basil]

Another thing to remember about strong winds is that aircraft have a ground operations windspeed limit. Even if the wind is right down the runway this could preclude operations.