SYD-MEL flights this evening (19 March)

[Mark T]

Some interesting flight patterns to Melbourne this evening. Is there a lot of traffic there, or was the airport closed? A lot of holding patterns just inland from Nowra.

Also saw VH-VUJ flying at FL250 south of Canberra - very low for a SYD-MEL flight. Anyone know the reason why?

Cheers
Mark

[Mark C]

I dont know the reason but I saw it fly over my place in Bungendore and thought thats too high to be coming to Canberra and very low for Melbourne. A QF bird right behind it was at a more usual flight level.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Just checked the YMML ATIS Mark, and weather may be the problem that is slowing things down - Thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 48kts.

MELBOURNE (YMML)
TAF AMD YMML 190508Z 1906/2012
22018G32KT 9999 SHOWERS OF LIGHT RAIN SCT025 BKN040
FM191000 21012KT 9999 FEW018 BKN030
FM191400 26010KT 9999 SCT035
FM200100 18012KT 9999 SHOWERS OF LIGHT RAIN FEW035 SCT045
PROB30 INTER 1906/1908 29030G48KT 4000 THUNDERSTORMS WITH MODERATE
RAIN SCT080CB
RMK FM190600 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT TILL 191000
T 30 22 18 15 Q 1003 1008 1011 1013

TTF METAR YMML 190830Z 17012KT CAVOK 19/15 Q1007
RMK RF00.0/000.0 3CU055 4AC100
FM0830 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT TILL 1000

[Zac M]

Melbourne Tower was evacuated

[Nigel C]

Someone burnt the toast?

[Adrian B]

Nah left the hot pan with the chips on the stove......

[Nigel C]

Oh my goodness, the chips!

[Jon B]

I was onboard VA874/VH VUJ last night (seat 4A)- we did a fair few laps around that area. Initially the crew said it was weather as a storm front had just passed through MEL but then updated to fire alarm in the tower. This is the second time that I have had a delay due to that since the new tower opened. Last time we were still on ground in Sydney but already off the gate so we sat near the fire station for about 20 - 30 minutes. Oh well i got through 2 whole episodes of Twin Peaks on the inflight entertainment