Ask The Pilot

[jb747]

Interesting. Not something I've ever thought about.

I don't think it is controlled. Various auto throttles synch the engines in different ways, but I don't think that control of beat frequencies is one of their functions.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

We are conservative by nature, as we generally get to any accident first.

A goodie

 

[mjt57]

Some time ago a third Melbourne runway was discussed. This was in the paper today.

Thoughts?

Melbourne Airport's long-awaited third runway could change direction

Melbourne Airport faces several years of increasing congestion and delays after deciding to overhaul its long-held plan for a third runway and look at building it running in another direction.

www.theage.com.au

 

[serfty]

Some time ago a third Melbourne runway was discussed. This was in the paper today.

Thoughts?

Melbourne Airport's long-awaited third runway could change direction

Melbourne Airport faces several years of increasing congestion and delays after deciding to overhaul its long-held plan for a third runway and look at building it running in another direction.

www.theage.com.au

Hah, I still remember old Melways street directories from the 70's showing the proposed 3rd and 4th runways - much of the space reserved for the N-S is noW dotted with commercial buildings.

Other references:

Ask The Pilot

That raises a question that may have been asked (and answered) before - If an engine has been shut down mid flight can it be restarted? An inflight restart is no big deal. It's even tested on delivery flights, with each engine being shut down, and then restarted, in turn. The modern jets will...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Ask The Pilot

Just on QF11 in Syd, Fo noticed a leak in the landing gear, had it checked and it was serious so needs fixing, delay 1 hour so far

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[jb747]

Well, as CEO of Tullamarine, Lyall actually has some aviation credentials, so perhaps it’s a good thing that this is being revisited before spending lots of dollars.

When they first announced that the plan was to build another east west runway, I was surprised, as it struck me as the least useful option. Of course, it could be yet another example of Australian exceptionalism...in that we are exceptionally good at deferring things that are already decades overdue.

Perhaps it could be delayed a bit more, by reducing the load on the airport by forcing all of the LCCs to move to Avalon.... That would be sensible anyway, but the airport management would never let that happen.

The original Melways plans were quite good. What a pity that the airport isn’t actually for air traffic any more.

 

[Max Samuels]

Some time ago a third Melbourne runway was discussed. This was in the paper today.

Thoughts?

Yeah I saw it too.
Predictably, there is push back from a local resident "action" group that I think has one of the best/stupid comments i have ever read:

"We're not here to say it should go east-west or north-south. It impacts local people and residents wherever it goes." He said new runways should be built "elsewhere ... not here where it is going to affect so many".

"Elsewhere"? Along Flinders St? Does this person understand that the runway needs to be attached to the airport? Lol.

I really hope that the Government grows a pair, and stands its ground with regard to MEL's expansions and 24/7 status.... I'm sorry, but if you buy a house at the end of a runway you are doing it because it is CHEAP and the reason it is CHEAP is because it is at the end of a runway! They also mentioned increased noise over Tottenham - well sorry - I live in Tottenham - yes, I can hear planes overhead sometimes, but I can also hear the railway station and the freeway. And guess what people? Tottenham is also CHEAP. Part of the reason it is cheap, I assume, is because it is ugly, industrial and under a flight path. Go figure. But also really close to the city - hence why I live here!

Let's not make the mistake that Sydney did.... In my opinion, Sydney ruined itself by rolling over to all the residents who similarly bought close to the airport because it was cheap. The idea that our "international city" is hamstrung by an airport curfew is crazy. And before anyone has a heart attack - yes - I have lived underneath the flight path in Sydneham - and YES - it was noisy - sometimes the house would shake and you could literally see the tread on the tyres of the landing gear - but I lived there because it was cheap - and that's the price I paid for a CHEAP house. And I kinda loved plane spotting too

But now, we live in a world where people conveniently forget the deal they signed up for... airports, live music venues, sex shops... you name it. The neighbours move in and suddenly want to re-write the rule book. Did you know that the well-to-do residents of LANE COVE make noise complaints to Sydney Airport too??? They are quite happy to use the airport to fly away on their fancy holidays, but other than that, they don't want to have to even see a plane. Maybe we should build the new runway there....

Anyway, that's my rant.

Truth to power!

 

[Max Samuels]

The original Melways plans were quite good. What a pity that the airport isn’t actually for air traffic any more.

I remember as a kid in the 80s, the Sydney street directory had the corridors for the future freeways.... the F6, for example, which was to run from the city to Woollongong.... of course they couldn't do that. It would require vision. They sold off the corridor to developers and sealed Sydney's fate to become the transport nightmare it is today :-(

 

[lastrow]

I'm sorry, but if you buy a house at the end of a runway you are doing it because it is CHEAP and the reason it is CHEAP is because it is at the end of a runway!

When Tullamarine airport was built in the late sixties the location was so far out into the country it was well beyond any residential area. The runway approaches were over open grass land where only the cows could complain. As I flew over this area in the early days I felt sure that no one would be stupid enough to build a house nearby. But then hardly a year later my view from above contained a sub division! Cul de Sacs had been carved out of the virgin grass and foundations were being laid right under the flight path. I had a bet with myself that the first noise complaints would emerge within a year followed by demands for a curfew. CHEAP would be a word soon cast aside.

 

[Hvr]

"We're not here to say it should go east-west or north-south. It impacts local people and residents wherever it goes." He said new runways should be built "elsewhere ... not here where it is going to affect so many".

From the Archives, 1959: Tullamarine announced as Melbourne's new airport

60 years ago, Tullamarine was announced as the site for Melbourne's new airport. The announcement meant that up to 70 houses would be compulsorily acquired.

www.theage.com.au

First published in The Age on May 2, 1959
Tullamarine Confirmed as Airport Site
Melbourne’s new airport is to be established at Tullamarine, about four miles North West of Essendon aerodrome.

Federal Cabinet yesterday decided to acquire land in the area to provide for the eventual replacement of the airport at Essendon.

So, if you've lived in the area for more than 60 years you may have an argument. Since the announcement, well enjoy the view of the nearby planes.

I have a vague memory of building unions refusing to work on developments under the original flight paths.

 

[kookaburra75]

So, if you've lived in the area for more than 60 years you may have an argument. Since the announcement, well enjoy the view of the nearby planes.
I have a vague memory of building unions refusing to work on developments under the original flight paths.

Your vagueness is correct. For many years houses that were just timber frames stood around the airport, after the unions placed a green/black ban on completing the construction of them.

 

[Captain Halliday]

The questions to pilots have certainly dried up. So I have one.

Should we start a separate thread for the discussion about an extra runway at MEL?

 

[TomJones]

One thing I've always wondered- are QF's A330 pilots dedicated to either international or domestic ops, or could they be assigned a roster with 4-sector domestic triangle days mixed in with trips to Asia?

 

[AviatorInsight]

One thing I've always wondered- are QF's A330 pilots dedicated to either international or domestic ops, or could they be assigned a roster with 4-sector domestic triangle days mixed in with trips to Asia?

Not just restricted to QF A330 pilots but the VA A330 pilots do a mix of short haul (MEL, PER, NAN) as well as HKG.

 

[Mule]

So you haven’t read the 700 pages?
It’s not unusual.

 

[jb747]

One thing I've always wondered- are QF's A330 pilots dedicated to either international or domestic ops, or could they be assigned a roster with 4-sector domestic triangle days mixed in with trips to Asia?

The pilots of an aircraft that flies both domestic and international sectors, will also fly both types.

Rosters are now controlled to limit the intermingling of both types within one pattern. I haven’t had cause to look at A330 rosters, so I don’t know exactly how they are being built, but I was on the 767 when mixing of the two to minimise cost was building in fatigue at unacceptable levels. In the early 2000s, if you caught the 0600 flight from Melbourne to Sydney, your crew could actually be on the third leg of Singapore, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney.

 

[D747]

Is there always at least 1 person with their harness on while airborne? From the point of view of turbulence.

 

[flyer89]

In the early 2000s, if you caught the 0600 flight from Melbourne to Sydney, your crew could actually be on the third leg of Singapore, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney.

That sure sounds unpleasant. I assume this didn’t last very long? I recall being told by someone who was an SO on the 744 at the time (circa 2002?) that the QF10 would do SIN-MEL-SYD with the same crew. They had SO’s at least.

 

[straitman]

[mod hat] A reminder to read post #1 again if necessary.

This is a question/answer thread for pilots and not a general discussion thread.

Thanks for your understanding.

[/mod hat]

 

[Saab34]

Much difference in handling etc in the near 20 year old 737 NGs vs the newer NG’s? I assume one is a bit more rusty to fly than the new Mercedes?

 

[JohnM]

Apologies if this has been answered before.

When a depressurisation occurs, what is the procedure for pilots (and crew) to don their oxygen masks? There would obviously be a lot going on at that instant.

Is mask-fitting quick and do you need to pre-adjust the mask for fit before flight? Are there issues if you wear spectacles?