Yep ok fair point, but when you say ' wait for brake temps to reduce on their own' is this before T/O?

Yes, Maximum brake temperature for takeoff (brake fans off)......300C
and 150C (brake fans on). Applicable to our fleet.

Quite interesting Dream Land, but I was just keeping it simple. It all depends on type too. ;)

This I can go with. :}

Not all 330/340's, especially older models, are fitted with brake fans.

Dream Land

I'm no pilot but the sight of an Airbus (most often a BA A320/A319) leaving its undercarriage down well after take off is not at all uncommon at LHR.

I at first used to wonder what the problem was but then there was a PPRUNE thread on this a couple of years ago that explained it was to do with brake cooling after the aircraft has been waiting for extended periods to line up.

Actually never seen a A330/A340 do it though.

Please reread this thread, I have gone to great lengths to explain that we do not leave the gear down to cool them off. :ugh:

Heathrow Radar question....
 

Is the big radar in the central area at Heathrow used for ground control or landings/departures ? I'd always assumed it was for the latter, but when parked in a traffic jam underneath it the other day, I noticed that the dish seems to be angled more towards the ground than the sky...

The 23cm Radar is used by both Heathrow Tower and London Terminal Control Centre. We only use it for airborne surveillance; we have dedicated surface movement radars (one in the white dome on top of the old control tower, one northside by the coach park, and one southside by the Royal Suite.

Two Japan VIP 747-400s at Heathrow
 

Hi all,

Landed at EGLL yesterday (28 May) and saw two (both?) Japan VIP 747-400s parked outside the BAWC terminal, near the VIP terminal south of 27L/09R.

Unusual to see one, let alone two - anyone any cluse as to why/what/who, etc?

Actually, just found the answer -

the Emperor and Empress are in town.

Not a sausage on the Beeb front page.

His'n'Hers then?

Meanwhile our Head of State has to rent one of Willie Walsh's finest if she needs to go beyond BAe146 range. Oh dear.....

Yep.

Recently saw Mr Mubarak's A340-300 (Egypt) at EGLL; even little Johnny Howard (Australia) gets a little 737 (suits him, really).

I think the pres of Argentina has a 757.

Yep, the UK is a bit out of step.

But that issue gets debated from time to time on these boards - search under 'Blair Force One'. Wonder what they'll come up with for the new boss - 'Brown Air'?

Unusual to see one, let alone two - anyone any cluse as to why/what/who, etc?

Every time I've seen the aircraft, they have always been a 'matched pair'

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0132782/M/ :hmm:

The Head of State ('er Maj) is about to get an A319CJ by all accounts, plus something of Gulfstream/Legacy size. Both to be bought secondhand if possible.

LHR arrivals supended confirmed.
 

Poss gas leak. STN now taking diversions.

bmi aircraft on ABZ-LHR just asked what ABZ (bmi regional's ops) want them to do.

Nothing approaching from the east over Putney.

I have been advised all arrivals are suspended up to 20:00z.Nite jet ban might be suspended as well.