Could someone also explain to me, how, when the South East needs additional runway capacity, Gatwick can use its "second runway" when its main raunway is having maintenance work. But under normal opperation it doesn't have a second runway, and hasn't had for years. I really dont understand this
TSR2 wrote:Gatwick can use its "second runway" when its main raunway is having maintenance work. But under normal opperation it doesn't have a second runway, and hasn't had for years. I really dont understand this
The two runways at Gatwick are about 500ft (about 150m) from edge to edge, and even less tarmac edge to tarmac edge, so simultaneous runway ops would be out of the question.
Problem isn't the planes, it's the pilots. BA and most airlines don't want to spend the money to keep their pilots CAT III certified. Add to that most of the Airbus A32x customers had the aircraft delivered without CAT III capability, and you've got what you see there.
It's sad, but true. I watched it over and over in Denver because Frontier nor United would spend the money to train their pilots so for the 2-3 months when we had almost daily heavy fog, we'd have almost all of the freighters land just fine (even FedEx upgraded their 727's to CAT IIIb capability although not autoland) and all of Continental, American, and Delta's flights land just fine, but Frontier and most of the United flights would be diverted because they wouldn't spend the money to keep the crews trained on the A32x's and in United's case, wouldn't do it for their 737 or 757 crews either.
Interesting that. I guess it's probably fair to say that the requirement for CAT IIIb enabled aircraft and crews is much less now than it was before and during the days of the Trident.. over here anyway and fog may be considered occasional rather than a regular occurance by the airlines. Still.. it's a pretty bad show. I find it difficult to grasp that crews aren't trained for these conditions though given they have regular sim time where they practise for every concievable eventuality. That said, if the aircraft aren't capable.. training would be pointless I guess
I think the problem most of us have is that in this day and age where modern aircraft are particularly difficult to crash, this sort of 'cover' isn't in-built as a matter of course
TSR2 wrote: I thought they used to use them simultaneously though?
No, Gatwick's "second runway" (08L/26R) is no more than an upgraded taxiway which is only used when 08R/26L is out of service. Simultaneous use is not permitted.
Pete
....... you're, kidding 
....... 
I guess it's probably fair to say that the requirement for CAT IIIb enabled aircraft and crews is much less now than it was before and during the days of the Trident.. over here anyway and fog may be considered occasional rather than a regular occurance by the airlines. Still.. it's a pretty bad show. I find it difficult to grasp that crews aren't trained for these conditions though given they have regular sim time where they practise for every concievable eventuality. That said, if the aircraft aren't capable.. training would be pointless I guess 
