Apr 19, 2014, 5:24 am
Runway use question [LHR]
Oct 18, 2013, 8:51 am
#1
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Runway use question [LHR]
Sat here on bar stools at far end of GC South lounge at LHR and for last hour been watching planes taking off. In that time a BA and Singapore 380 have landed on same runway and a 747 (missed the carrier). What's the reason for this, I assumed one runway was take off and one landing. J69
Oct 18, 2013, 8:58 am
#2
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A local expert will respond soon, but essentially LHR uses gaps (or creates them) to allow the Heavy and Super aircraft to use the departure runway occasionally … that the facilitates tighter spacing on the landing runway, avoiding the wake turbulence issues with the bigger aircraft.
Efficiency … bloody awesome LHR ATCOs ^
Efficiency … bloody awesome LHR ATCOs ^
Oct 18, 2013, 9:00 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 45
It is one runway for departures, and one for arrivals.
However...
There can be landing aircraft on the departure runway when there is inbound holding when on westerlies, or any time it suits on easterlies (T4 traffic/more efficient to do so)
It is usually only done if there is no outbound delay though.
380's are a prime choice for landing on the southern runway as nearly all the gates for them are nearer to there.
However...
There can be landing aircraft on the departure runway when there is inbound holding when on westerlies, or any time it suits on easterlies (T4 traffic/more efficient to do so)
It is usually only done if there is no outbound delay though.
380's are a prime choice for landing on the southern runway as nearly all the gates for them are nearer to there.
Oct 18, 2013, 9:01 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, I'm back!
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A local expert will respond soon, but essentially LHR uses gaps (or creates them) to allow the Heavy and Super aircraft to use the departure runway occasionally … that the facilitates tighter spacing on the landing runway, avoiding the wake turbulence issues with the bigger aircraft.
Efficiency … bloody awesome LHR ATCOs ^
Efficiency … bloody awesome LHR ATCOs ^
)
Oct 18, 2013, 9:02 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, I'm back!
Posts: 657
ew
It is one runway for departures, and one for arrivals.
However...
There can be landing aircraft on the departure runway when there is inbound holding when on westerlies, or any time it suits on easterlies (T4 traffic/more efficient to do so)
It is usually only done if there is no outbound delay though.
380's are a prime choice for landing on the southern runway as nearly all the gates for them are nearer to there.
However...
There can be landing aircraft on the departure runway when there is inbound holding when on westerlies, or any time it suits on easterlies (T4 traffic/more efficient to do so)
It is usually only done if there is no outbound delay though.
380's are a prime choice for landing on the southern runway as nearly all the gates for them are nearer to there.
Oct 18, 2013, 9:08 am
#6
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Oct 18, 2013, 9:08 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LHR Air Traffic Control
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Yes, easterlies today so we can land on any runway. If it's quiet outbound, or busy inbound, we'll use 09R (the southern runway) to offload arrivals (especially A380s or T4 inbounds as has been described).
Oct 18, 2013, 10:24 am
#8
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From touchdown to clearing LHR T4 passport control must have taken all of 12 minutes. ^
Oct 18, 2013, 11:13 am
#9
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As a long-serving former Mil ATCO, with deep rooted professional disdain for Civvie ones (numerous reasons, but pay would be No 1 
) I remain impressed by the practical performance of the over-paid bunch at LHR.
Good work, guys. ^
(BTW - I was an ATCA at Southern Centre, in the Black Huts at LHR north-side. Before your time, I suspect )
) I remain impressed by the practical performance of the over-paid bunch at LHR. Good work, guys. ^
(BTW - I was an ATCA at Southern Centre, in the Black Huts at LHR north-side. Before your time, I suspect
)
Oct 18, 2013, 11:39 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 45
As a long-serving former Mil ATCO, with deep rooted professional disdain for Civvie ones (numerous reasons, but pay would be No 1 ) I remain impressed by the practical performance of the over-paid bunch at LHR.
Good work, guys. ^
(BTW - I was an ATCA at Southern Centre, in the Black Huts at LHR north-side. Before your time, I suspect )
) I remain impressed by the practical performance of the over-paid bunch at LHR. Good work, guys. ^
(BTW - I was an ATCA at Southern Centre, in the Black Huts at LHR north-side. Before your time, I suspect
)Phil the Flyer Impressive! 12 mins to even arriving at most T5 gates would be an achievement...
