Impact of today's weather at YSSY?

[Jack B]

Hi all,

Curious to know the impact of today's weather on operations at YSSY?

[Adrian B]

I think QF400 stayed in Melbourne for an hour, departed 0700 instead of 0600

[Rowan McKeever]

Looking at FA before there was a fair bit of late running but didn't notice many cancellations.

[Mick F]

Not working today, so I'm not entirely in the know, however from a pilot perspective, apart from the severe turbulence associated with the system, and the wind gusts, not a huuuuuge effect. It's blowing more or less straight down the runways, and the visibility and cloud height is still well above minimums. Perhaps some windshear around the place as well.

On ground operations may be another thing though, with the possibility of stairs getting blown around and other ground equipment that isn't secure, getting blown around.

So far, while there have been some cancellations, I think overall things have been running close to normal. That said, I'm sitting in a nice warm house and no where near the airport :-) (only going by what others have said at work).

Mick

[Grahame Hutchison]

I was listening to Approach and Departures for a while this morning, there was some holding on the northern, south-western and Tasman routes, plenty
of diversions requested due weather, and reports of turbulence at FL280. As Mick said, the wind was down the runway and there were no reports of any
wind shear (although the current ATIS has a wind shear warning). The ATC guys and Tech Crews were doing a great job.

This image shows all of today's flight, plenty of holding patterns, some delays, but not too bad considering the conditions. Traffic at the moment is quite
light.
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/YSSY Holding 20150421.JPG

SYDNEY (YSSY)
TAF YSSY 202305Z 2100/2206
17035G52KT 8000 LIGHT RAIN SCT010 BKN020
FM211200 19025G45KT 8000 LIGHT RAIN SCT008 BKN020
FM220200 22015KT 9999 SHOWERS OF LIGHT RAIN FEW010 SCT025
TEMPO 2100/2202 2000 HEAVY RAIN BKN008
INTER 2202/2206 4000 SHOWERS OF MODERATE RAIN BKN010
RMK FM210000 SEV TURB BLW 5000FT TILL220200
T 16 16 16 16 Q 1019 1016 1015 1015
TTF SPECI YSSY 210500Z 19029G40KT 4000 MODERATE RAIN FEW015 SCT020
BKN030 14/14
Q1016
RMK RF00.2/013.2
FM0545 18035G52KT 8000 LIGHT RAIN SCT010 BKN020
TEMPO 0545/0800 2000 HEAVY RAIN BKN008
FM0500 SEV TURB BLW 5000FT

ATIS YSSY M 210444
APCH: EXP ILS OR GLS APCH
RWY: 16L AND R FOR ARRS AND DEPS
SFC COND: WET
OPR INFO: PARL RWY OPS IN PROGRESS.
INDEPENDENT DEPS IN PROGRESS.
SYDNEY DME NOT AVBL.
HIGH INTENSITY LIGHTING ON.
TWY B1, BETWEEN BRAVO AND RWY 16R CLOSED
WIND: 170/30-50
XW MAX 15 KTS
VIS: REDUCED TO 3000M IN RAIN
CLD: FEW015, SCT021, SCT030
TMP: 15
QNH: 1016
+ SIGWX: SEV TURB FCST BLW 5000FT.
WIND SHEAR WARNING,
DASH REPORTED MODERATE UNDERSHOOT AND OVERSHOOT
WIND SHEAR AT 1500 FT ON FINAL RWY 16L AT TIME 0435.
YMMM SIGMET I02 VALID FROM TIME 0500.
YMMM SIGMET Q02 VALID FROM TIME 0500

[Michael R]

Things were not too bad in relation to cancellations but in regards to ground operations Mick F is 100% correct. We had major dramas on Bay 8 and 9 with the gantry on the Dash8 300/400. Belt loaders were bouncing up and down like a yo-yo and working out on bays 16,17, and 70 on Qantaslink flights were horrendous. At one point from the Qantas ramp you could not see the International ramp at all. Hat's off to the pilot's too keep the flights rotating.

[Rowan McKeever]

What do you mean by the gantry, Michael?

[Grahame Hutchison]

Williamtown would be interesting as they have 18033G50KT, which is a 60 degree crosswind on Runway 12 ie. crosswind gusts of 43.3kts

[Michael R]

Rowan, it's just a mobile staircase that we place into position on bay 8 and 9 only when Qantaslink are assigned those bays. It can only be used on the Dash8 300/400.Once we place the Gantry into place staff can then align the aerobridge with it. As the passengers step off the aircraft they pass through the Gantry and onto the aerobridge. Not difficult to use however it has to be 100% aligned with the aircraft door so the aerobridge matches.

[Grahame Hutchison]

VOZ1106 from Brisbane to Williamtown has done two sets of orbits north of Williamtown, and now looks to be heading back to Brisbane. The aircraft is E190 VH-ZPG.

[Mat James]

Williamtown was interesting today to say the least. the civil side had some damage done to the new awning outside the new arrivals doors (let's just say most of it is gone). And due to the weather conditions this morning, tower was reporting 40-60knots crosswind. None of the overnighters got out (JQ473, JQ480 and QF2420). Virgin made a missed approach at 0730 and then somehow manage to land. I think there was a downwind component of 35knots then and the poor pax's had to sit on the taxiway as the ground crew couldn't service the plane due to the weather, they then took off and went back to Brisbane. JQ484 took off about 1430 in 30knot crosswind. Would of been hairy for the crew and paxs and since then, nothing else has tried to take off or land. There's is also some flooding between the Runway and Hotel, and half of Juliet is flooded. And I don't think it will get any better as the night goes on.

[Jon B]

I arrived this morning on VA813 (VH VOQ) and we were held 30 minutes on the ground in MEL and 30 minutes of holding near Canberra (to North West of Canberra i think - could not see because of cloud cover). The wind seemed to be pretty well blowing straight down the runway from the South and visibility (from seat 4A) did not look the best. Pilots did a great job and from my perspective as a passenger the approach and landing was really smooth, did notice engines powering up and down a fair bit. Well done to pilots, ground staff etc

[Chris W]

A Rex Saab has been the only civilian aircraft to successfully complete a flight today in Newcastle.

[Mick F]

there was a downwind component of 35knots

Downwind or crosswind? I doubt downwind.

[Mat James]

Downwind or crosswind? I doubt downwind.

It was downwind. The winds at the time were coming out of about 140 degrees. When it took off. I swear it used less then 2000ft of runway. It was an incredible sight!

[Mick F]

I think you're confused with your winds. No aircraft would land with 35kts of downwind. Downwind means the wind is coming from behind the aircraft.

The maximum we can accept in the A320 is 10kts.

Mick

[Rowan McKeever]

Thanks for explaining Michael! So is that a bit like what they have in parts of the USA for regional jets, so pax don't have to go down the stairs to the ground then back up the stairs to the airbridge?

[Robert.M]

Well there have been some interesting REX movements, not sure if its due to the weather.

VH-ZLA (RXA9916) MIM - WGA (was scheduled for SYD)
VH-RXX (RXA767) SYD - ABX (arrived in WGA and departed about half an hour later)
VH-ZRY (RXA662) WGA - NRA (was scheduled for SYD)
VH-KRX (RXA785) ABX - WGA
VH-VNA (RXA9942) WGA - GFF
VH-ZRB (RXA681) NRA - WGA (was scheduled SYD - WGA flight but operated SYD - NRA - WGA)

Scheduled to fly to YSWG
VH-RXX (RXA9943) from GFF

[Mat James]

Thanks for explaining, i swear thats what I heard, but I'm probably wrong, I'm still new to this. I'm I right by saying there's a limit to how much crosswind there's can be for a plane to land?

[Mick F]

Correct. Each aircraft has it's own limitations. The crosswind limit for the A320 for example is 38kt's.

[Nigel C]

Mick, although the aircraft has a 38kt limit, are the flight crew endorsed on the A320 automatically allowed to fly it up to that 38kts, or does each airline set a limit for each individual pilot based on training and experience?

[Zac M]

I flew in on QF764 tonight, it wasn't as bad as I had expected, although there appeared to be some windshear on finals as the aircraft kept banking (thats the only way to really describe it) from side to side quite violently, old mate up front had to really stick it on the ground hard. Flew out about 30minutes later on QF1525 and we got a dead smooth ride in the lower levels, up high it got a bit rough.

Also interesting to note that QF1493 (ops by TQG) had a flight time of 1hr and 23 minutes from Sydney to Canberra!!!

[Mick F]

Nige,
Different companies set different limits for their First Officers. I think there would be very few who let their FO's land up to the aircraft limit.

The Captain however, well, they're it, so they have to be able to do it. Keep in mind they'd normally have extensive experience on the aircraft.

The limitation also takes into account wind gusts, so if it's gusting to say 39kts directly across the strip, then that's outside the limitations.

Mick

[StevenW]

I was on board QF756. It wasn't bumpy at all until we were in the clouds on descent when it got a bit rough but nothing too crazy. That said, we had one missed approach and I was sure we'd have another but they managed to get down. Like Zac above, we had lots of banking and I guess that's why the first attempt was aborted. First time I've been on a flight in Australia where most passengers applauded the landing.

The captain was personally thanking and apologising to passengers as we left the aircraft, as though the conditions were somehow her fault.

[Arthur T]

According to flight radar, the 4pm Virgin Australia VA 564 service from Perth due to arrive Sydney at 10.10pm had 2 unsuccessful landings.

The plane is currently going south at Wollongong and appears it is diverting to elsewhere at the moment (possibly CBR?)

Also the late running ZL 472 service from Griffith had 2 unsuccessful landings and currently diverting Northbound. (possibly NTL?)

[Zac M]

I was supposed to be on 756, haha, and yeah same with the applauding on the landing and the captain after the flight.

[Nigel C]

Cheers Mick, just as I thought.

[Zac M]

The plane is currently going south at Wollongong and appears it is diverting to elsewhere at the moment (possibly CBR?)

Gonna guess Melbourne, climbing a little high for Canberra

[Arthur T]

Yeah possibly. I hope they have enough fuel for that after a coast to coast plus 2 unsuccessful landings, and a strong southerly means the plane is possibly facing lots of headwind.

On the other hand, now ZL472 is heading west, where will they land?

[Zac M]

There is a tail wind for south bound flights up high today I think, flight time home to Canberra was very quick once in the higher levels, captain did mention a strong tailwind

[Grahame Hutchison]

Approaching curfew there have been several go arounds, as squalls hit the tower. VOZ564 from Perth (VH-VUT) and RXA472 from Griffith (VH-VNA)both did a go around on 16R just before curfew, VOZ564 had a second go but was not going to make it before 11pm and elected to divert to Melbourne rather than incur a penalty. RXA472 request a second attempt, but when advised of a curfew penalty, tracked north over the Central Coast, and then requested a track to Orange at FL120.

Emirates A380 UAE413 did a go around earlier, and then landed before curfew.

[Radi K]

And the curfew strikes again as Grahame mentioned.

VA564 PER-SYD & ZL472 GFF-SYD missed out.

Both did go-arounds close to 11pm. VA tried to come around for a quick second approach but was about 90 seconds too slow and had to make a go-around again at about 1000ft over the noise sensitive areas, when it was clear they would have likely landed second time around. Off to Melbourne.

Rex seem to totally forget about the curfew and expected to be able to make an approach. Alas the 50kt tailwind on 34s wasn't going to make it work. So they started a tour of Sydney until they have finally decided to divert to Orange. Captain commented it was "getting very rough". Looks like the weather in Orange has deteriorated and they are now going to break curfew and land on Rwy 16R is Sydney.

Of course the irony is that the freight 757 and 767s heading to NZ departed after curfew on Rwy 16R, which is permissible under the rules :cool:

http://i.imgur.com/fn7BD9c.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WZaX0dV.jpg

[Robert.M]

Will be interesting if VNA got a dispensation but landing at 11:43pm, I do doubt they did.

UAL863 is diverting to MEL.

[Rowan McKeever]

UAL839 also diverting to MEL.

[Hugh Jarse]

Where I work all flight crew are trained (and are required to demonstrate proficiency) in max crosswind operations. For a normal-width runway such as YSSY, either pilot can takeoff or land in max crosswind.

[Robert.M]

Looks like CCA175 was another flight that diverted to MEL.

[lloyd fox]

QF8,QF12,DAL17,VA2,QF82 diverted to BNE earlier today.

[Brent L]

NZ103 772 has been diverted to Melbourne.
Landing now

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ANZ103/history/20150421/2100Z/NZAA/YSSY

[Adrian B]

Looks like SYD DME is down, (according to ATIS) other tweets mentions ILS may allegedly be down for one of the runways (based on feedback from a captain to a pax)

[Nigel C]

The DME has been out of service since well before this weather event started according to the Notams.

C973/15 REVIEW C959/15
DME 'SY' 112.1/58X NOT AVBL
DO NOT USE, FALSE INDICATION POSSIBLE
FROM 04 170540 TO 04 240900 EST

[Daniel M]

Heard MEL ATC mention to a SYD bound aircraft that one of the ILS's was hit by lightning

[Mick F]

No NOTAM about any ILS being out during normal hours.

Mick

[Grahame Hutchison]

Round 2 - Anzac Day

Aircraft are in holding patterns due weather (Red and Black cells on the BOM Radar), with lightening reported at both ends of Runway 16.

QFA122 from Queenstown was low on fuel and looking at a Williamtown diversion.

No aircraft have arrived or departed for the past 33 minutes.

1655L Arrivals and Departures have restarted.

http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/YSSY 20150425 A.JPG

[Ryan N]

QFA122 diverted to Richmond airbase.

[Ricky T]

QF 442 from MEL diverted to CBR and QF 144 from AKL diverted to OOL as a result of the storms.

[NathanJ]

QFA122 diverted to Richmond airbase.

Wow... Still @ Richmond according to Flightaware. Interested to understand what has happened to the guests on the flight since arriving there? (processing etc?)

[Rowan McKeever]

According to Qantas.com it's at YSSY

[Alex T]

QF122 (ZK-ZQB) spent about an 1hr and 25mins at Richmond it then positioned to SYD at 1825. It's now currently en-route to CHC as QF139.