Calm wind takeoff
 

Hey all

I've tried to search without luck for an answer to this....

anyway, are there any hard and fast rules which say which runway is used for takeoff in truly calm weather?

At most airfields there is probably nothing laid down but some have strict noise abatement rules so that there will be a preferential direction to use up to certain wind/weather conditions. Apart from that, in deciding which runway to use ATC will check with Met for wind forecasts to determine which runway will be used later. In that case they'll probably use the one in calm conditions will will be the one needed when the wind gets up.

It is common, other traffic allowing, for an aircraft to be permitted to use the most favourable runway direction for it's routeing or taxy distance to the threshold - thus saving time/fuel.

The fact that this direction overflies the captain's house, so he can check whose car is in his drive, may also be taken into consideration:)

Thanks for the replies.

On the subject, assuming ATC allow aircraft the departure of choice in such conditions (IE ideal for the pilots), does the 'type' of departure come into play? For example if the westerly heading involves very strict noise abatement* and possibly a quick direction change, and the easterly is an 'easy' 'straight out', would ATC use that to cut down pilot (and ATC) wokload (IE pilots have less to do in the initial climb, and ATC need not be monitoring to ensure that a turn has been observed, etc)

*EDIT noise abatement has of course been answered, so I'm more thinking about other factors (IE heading change)

Not really a consideration

I've seen aircraft landing and departing in 3 different directions at a North African International Airport, all within 5 minutes, on cross runways with winds calm.

Actually this reminds me, I flew from Dalaman (6hrs Later than scheduled) it was about 2am Local time, and they were landing Runway 01R, departing 01R and mostly departing towards the water off 19L They were going both directions most of the time, however no landings towards 19L.

HeathrowAirport - I experienced the exact same at Dalaman, no more than 2 months ago. Quite interesting to watch...