Takeoff run
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Above the Horizon
Takeoff run
On which side of the centreline lights should you run your nosewheel? This is from an article in the Pilot magazine by Bob Grimstead. He provides a clue-it's to do with an aircraft's VMCA assessment taking no account of crosswind and the probable runway excursion after an engine fails.
Can someone please clarify?
Thanks
Can someone please clarify?
Thanks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 970
Likes: 54
From: uk
There's a more challenging conundrum along these lines, faced by the Captain of a Gulf Aviation BAC 1-11 landing at Sanaa in the early '70s with the Ruler of Abu Dhabi/President of the UAE on board. The only comms was with the fuel truck driver with a handheld VHF, who opined that the runway was clear and not much wind. We overflew the runway, which was known to be very recently built, and we all saw a thick black central line from one end to the other. We thought it was probably the base for the white CL markings, and the Captain decided to land. As we approached the threshold, the line was still very visible. As we crossed the threshold it became obvious that the line was a shadow and that one side of the runway was about 30cm lower than the other, ie still WIP.. Memory fails me about what happened then; I'm fairly sure we went round and landed with all wheels on the higher side. We certainly landed; the diversion was Djibouti and HRH definitely did not want to go there. It's possible that we were committed to land by the time we saw the problem, I suppose, and the Captain (Arthur Barnard), who was flying, either managed to swerve to put all the wheels on the high side, or put the nosewheel on the one side with the main wheels on each side, ie one low and one high. If so, it was a complex decision to make in a few seconds, but he got it right.
BTW, things were less formal in those days! The trip, as a VIP charter for HRH to make State visits to Yemen and then Somalia, had been planned for weeks. But although Sana was getting a new airport, it had proved impossible to get any meaningful response from the Yemen to enquiries about landing, comms, fuel, handling etc. The 1-11 could operate without much ground support (own stairs, APU, etc), so off we went, hoping for the best. Apart from the runway, the only real problem arose when the fueller told us the Jet A1 had been in the bowser for at least 3 months. This had been anticipated, and we had enough to go on to Djibouti for a fuel stop, everyone remaining on board, and a diversion, if necessary.
BTW, things were less formal in those days! The trip, as a VIP charter for HRH to make State visits to Yemen and then Somalia, had been planned for weeks. But although Sana was getting a new airport, it had proved impossible to get any meaningful response from the Yemen to enquiries about landing, comms, fuel, handling etc. The 1-11 could operate without much ground support (own stairs, APU, etc), so off we went, hoping for the best. Apart from the runway, the only real problem arose when the fueller told us the Jet A1 had been in the bowser for at least 3 months. This had been anticipated, and we had enough to go on to Djibouti for a fuel stop, everyone remaining on board, and a diversion, if necessary.
Last edited by old,not bold; 21st January 2025 at 11:40.
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From: various places .....
it's to do with an aircraft's VMCA assessment taking no account of crosswind and the probable runway excursion after an engine fails.
.. or are we considering Vmcg ?
.. or are we considering Vmcg ?
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,633
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From: USA
On which side of the centreline lights should you run your nosewheel? This is from an article in the Pilot magazine by Bob Grimstead. He provides a clue-it's to do with an aircraft's VMCA assessment taking no account of crosswind and the probable runway excursion after an engine fails.
Can someone please clarify?
Thanks
Can someone please clarify?
Thanks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 21
From: earth
If I’m on a multi day trip and my colleague hits the lights with the nose wheel I start counting every time they hit one. When they finally ask what I’m doing I say, “that’s how many beers you’re buying tonight!”.
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,775
Likes: 353
From: UK
+- 30ft certification requirement, with appropriate control input, after engine failure recognition, on a dry runway, without crosswind.
In operations - surprise + if the above do not apply, then check grass.
In operations - surprise + if the above do not apply, then check grass.
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 3,985
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From: Where the Quaboag River flows, USA
I still remember a wet runway, at 20 crosswind component take-off from Biggin Hill. Wondered what exactly was the real Vmcg that day. I’m sure it was well above Vr.
