Most difficult approaches
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CAT B / CAT C airfields
i would assume that most of the strips in PNG are CAT C due to the obvious un orthodox high risk nature of the arrivals and departures, being conducted in unfavourable winds, terrain, devoid of navaids, conditions of the runway, slope, steep gradient for the desent, cloud base, etc etc.
Any of you gents care to explain in detail perhaps the definitons of CAT B and CAT C airfields?
tried everything under the sun, googled and so forth and came up dry on this one. maybe some bush pilots current or ex, may fill me in..
thanks guys and fly happy
Ace
Any of you gents care to explain in detail perhaps the definitons of CAT B and CAT C airfields?
tried everything under the sun, googled and so forth and came up dry on this one. maybe some bush pilots current or ex, may fill me in..
thanks guys and fly happy
Ace
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Here, but soon will be there
The different categories will be laid out in your ops manual. Extract from ours:-
(a) Category A (unrestricted). An aerodrome which satisfies all of the
following requirements:
(i) an approved Instrument approach procedure;
(ii) at least one runway with no performance limited procedure
for take-off and/or landing;
(iii) published circling minima not higher than 1000 ft agl; and
(iv) night operations capability.
(b) Category B. An aerodrome which does not satisfy the Category
A requirements or which requires extra considerations such as:
(i) non-standard approach aids and/or patterns; or
(ii) unusual local weather conditions; or
(iii) unusual characteristics or performance limitations; or
(iv) any other relevant considerations including obstructions,
physical layout, lighting etc.
(c) Category B**. There are special needs for a Category B** airfield
that fall between the Cat B and C requirements. These are
airfields that have terrain, ATC or other environmental
considerations such that the company has specified particular
requirements, but that does not have to satisfy the recency
requirements of a Category C airfield.
(d) Category C. An aerodrome that requires additional
considerations to a Category B** aerodrome. Category C airfields
require the Commander to prove aerodrome competence within
the previous 12 month validity period as indicated by a valid
Category C airfield certificate.
(a) Category A (unrestricted). An aerodrome which satisfies all of the
following requirements:
(i) an approved Instrument approach procedure;
(ii) at least one runway with no performance limited procedure
for take-off and/or landing;
(iii) published circling minima not higher than 1000 ft agl; and
(iv) night operations capability.
(b) Category B. An aerodrome which does not satisfy the Category
A requirements or which requires extra considerations such as:
(i) non-standard approach aids and/or patterns; or
(ii) unusual local weather conditions; or
(iii) unusual characteristics or performance limitations; or
(iv) any other relevant considerations including obstructions,
physical layout, lighting etc.
(c) Category B**. There are special needs for a Category B** airfield
that fall between the Cat B and C requirements. These are
airfields that have terrain, ATC or other environmental
considerations such that the company has specified particular
requirements, but that does not have to satisfy the recency
requirements of a Category C airfield.
(d) Category C. An aerodrome that requires additional
considerations to a Category B** aerodrome. Category C airfields
require the Commander to prove aerodrome competence within
the previous 12 month validity period as indicated by a valid
Category C airfield certificate.
PPRuNeaholic
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From: Cairns FNQ
The only A, B, C codes related to aerodromes that I'm aware of are the ICAO codes in Annex 14 and, of course, none of them have any bearing on the sort of strips that you've seen in my photos. But, yes, the broad concept of the "C" code, as explained by kishna is pretty close.
There are recency requirements for pilots operating into places like these and they also need a certain amount of animal cunning to interpret strip conditions prior to landing. This includes a requirement for knowledge of the route, or routes, to and from these aerodromes.
There's no "airfield certificate" for these places because the rules here don't require aerodrome certification as a distinction is drawn between aircraft, based on seating capacity. These aerodromes are served by aircraft with seating for up to 19 passengers and this is the cut-off point for certification under our rules.
The regulator places the responsibilty on the operator to ensure that the aerodrome is safe for their operations. This requirement has been responsible for operators ceasing services to some of these places.
There are recency requirements for pilots operating into places like these and they also need a certain amount of animal cunning to interpret strip conditions prior to landing. This includes a requirement for knowledge of the route, or routes, to and from these aerodromes.
There's no "airfield certificate" for these places because the rules here don't require aerodrome certification as a distinction is drawn between aircraft, based on seating capacity. These aerodromes are served by aircraft with seating for up to 19 passengers and this is the cut-off point for certification under our rules.
The regulator places the responsibilty on the operator to ensure that the aerodrome is safe for their operations. This requirement has been responsible for operators ceasing services to some of these places.
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Ultima Thule
I have done Samos 09 twice on a 757 and didn't think of it as a difficult approach. It's one of the more interesting for sure.
One of the more difficult is probably Nassarsuaq Greenland on a 757. 1800 m Rwy landing with a downslope of -2.7% and the Rwy overrun would put you in the ocean. That was an interesting one as well.
One of the more difficult is probably Nassarsuaq Greenland on a 757. 1800 m Rwy landing with a downslope of -2.7% and the Rwy overrun would put you in the ocean. That was an interesting one as well.
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: On the lake
One of the more difficult is probably Nassarsuaq Greenland on a 757. 1800 m Rwy landing with a downslope of -2.7% and the Rwy overrun would put you in the ocean. That was an interesting one as well.
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Where the Quaboag River flows, USA
Are you guys serious about 757 or DC-8s using BGBW or do you mean Sondestrom? BGBW is Cat A and B only. BGBW only has 6004 feet of total runway length.
GF
GF
Joined: May 2005
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From: France
I've been to BGBW a few times over the last couple of years and yes, I would agree that it can be challenging. Air Greenland operate a 757 into there and apparently land on both 07 and 25. Minima are published for Cat A, B and C. (Not D).
I would doubt that a DC-8 could get in there though.
I would doubt that a DC-8 could get in there though.
Joined: Jan 1999
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From: Gatters.......
Gilgit OPGT - as mentioned interesting, however Chitral definitely worse - OPCH.
However my "favorite" still is Yakawlang in Afghanistan. 8700 ft gravel, only open during summer, and usually ISA +20.......
However my "favorite" still is Yakawlang in Afghanistan. 8700 ft gravel, only open during summer, and usually ISA +20.......
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 675
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From: On the lake
Are you guys serious about 757 or DC-8s using BGBW or do you mean Sondestrom? BGBW is Cat A and B only. BGBW only has 6004 feet of total runway length
On that occasion I was passing through on ferry flights quite frequently.
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Blighty
Pusan Circle 18R is a pain, but mostly because of company "procedures."
Not to mention the hills. It works to TERPS standards, not PANSOPS. At 2.3 miles, you're just inside the highway. Go outside it and you're in for a whole load of hurt at night - as an Air China 767 found out in 2001 when they didn't appreciate the difference between the circling minima for the two standards!
The big problem with PUS 18R is if you're using it, it usually means you have a 30knt plus quartering tailwind which makes the approach a challenge. We have Kathmandhu and Pusan on our network and I'd rather fly into KTM than the Pusan circling approach at night.
Not to mention the hills. It works to TERPS standards, not PANSOPS. At 2.3 miles, you're just inside the highway. Go outside it and you're in for a whole load of hurt at night - as an Air China 767 found out in 2001 when they didn't appreciate the difference between the circling minima for the two standards!
The big problem with PUS 18R is if you're using it, it usually means you have a 30knt plus quartering tailwind which makes the approach a challenge. We have Kathmandhu and Pusan on our network and I'd rather fly into KTM than the Pusan circling approach at night.
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Southern Shores of Old Lusitania Kingdom
Quote:
Are you guys serious about 757 or DC-8s using BGBW or do you mean Sondestrom? BGBW is Cat A and B only. BGBW only has 6004 feet of total runway length
Yes, I watched an SK DC-8-63 land at BGBW on more than one occasion back in the eighties - I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it. Charters from Copenhagen, I think.
On that occasion I was passing through on ferry flights quite frequently.
twochai is offline Reply
Are you guys serious about 757 or DC-8s using BGBW or do you mean Sondestrom? BGBW is Cat A and B only. BGBW only has 6004 feet of total runway length
Yes, I watched an SK DC-8-63 land at BGBW on more than one occasion back in the eighties - I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it. Charters from Copenhagen, I think.
On that occasion I was passing through on ferry flights quite frequently.
twochai is offline Reply
BTW, my vote goes to Saba, Lukla and old RWY at GIB
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From: 20 ADD 10 CPT
issi noho
Was there a few weeks back for that approach, and agree with you, done the circling at INN a few years back and thought ACE was more demanding.
maybe just me but the VOR app to 21 in ACE can spoil the previous 4 hours of routine.
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From: Durkadurkastan
Last edited by 4Foxtrot; 27th October 2010 at 17:57.
