What's the minimum separation gap ?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London
Posts: 20
What's the minimum separation gap ?
What's the minimum separation gap between two aircrafts one is taking off another one is landing from behind ( on the same runway) In this video looks like they are close to each other or this is normal procedure ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ahd9A_0Xxk
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 13,942
"Airplane take off SECONDS before another one lands on the same runway"
I suppose entitling your video "ATC doing their job" doesn't have quite the same ring to it. 
There are a few controllers who frequent this forum, I'm sure one will be along shortly to give you a definitive answer.
In the meantime, if you click on "Show More" on the video page, you will see the statement "According to an air traffic control planes can use the same runway if the departing plane is airborne before the arriving plane touches down", though I suspect the correct answer is more about when an approaching aircraft can be given a landing clearance.

There are a few controllers who frequent this forum, I'm sure one will be along shortly to give you a definitive answer.
In the meantime, if you click on "Show More" on the video page, you will see the statement "According to an air traffic control planes can use the same runway if the departing plane is airborne before the arriving plane touches down", though I suspect the correct answer is more about when an approaching aircraft can be given a landing clearance.
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Róisín Dubh
Posts: 1,309
There isn't one. It varies from airfield to airfield but you won't clear the departure to line up unless the arrival is a set distance from touchdown, eg 2 miles, then only if the departure advises he is ready for an immediate. There is no written minimum separation distance between arrival and departure. Separation is only lost if arrival and departure are on the runway at the same time or if a go around is mis managed
Minimum safe distance between airborne aircraft varies depending on airspace. 3nm in TMA, 5nm enroute, 10 mins in procedural for example...
Minimum safe distance between airborne aircraft varies depending on airspace. 3nm in TMA, 5nm enroute, 10 mins in procedural for example...
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: River Thames & Surrey
Age: 73
Posts: 9,363
What's the minimum separation gap between two aircrafts one is taking off another one is landing from behind ( on the same runway) In this video looks like they are close to each other or this is normal procedure ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ahd9A_0Xxk
As far as I can see it's good runway utilisation.
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dubai and Sunderland
Posts: 809
Not that close really, most airports I worked in UK operate that the landing aircraft not allowed to cross the start of runway(tarmac) before departed airborne. There are places that have a procedure of 'land after departing' where by landing aircraft can even be on same runway as long as pilot happy to provide visual separation. Radar separation is not used landing/departing as you work in a visual environment in VCR, this changes in low vis operations and then becomes dependant upon separation needed to clear Localiser/glide path sensitive area's.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: On the wireless...
Posts: 1,896
Originally Posted by yurski
In this video looks like they are close to each other or this is normal procedure ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ahd9A_0Xxk
Ops normal for single runway operation, thanks to the skill and expertise of UK ATCOs. 20 seconds lost there, probably even time for a quick crosser

Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: On the wireless...
Posts: 1,896
Originally Posted by terrain safe
Loadsaroom!
Seriously absolutely no problem and as Talkdownman says should have got the tug across as well.
Seriously absolutely no problem and as Talkdownman says should have got the tug across as well.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: River Thames & Surrey
Age: 73
Posts: 9,363
Are they allowed to do that nowadays with the new ANSP?