Storms, Dust & Gust in Sydney (Sep 22-23, 27)

[Grahame Hutchison]

VH-EBK QF580 orbiting at TARAL FL210
9V-SPJ SQ219 orbiting at TARAL FL240
VH-ZLG orbiting at BINDOOK now heading in
NZ707 ZK-OJO orbiting south of SHARK FL37
EK413 A6-EDA joining NZ707 but at FL400

[Grahame Hutchison]

VH-EBK QF580 is heading in.
9V-SPJ SQ219 still orbiting at FL240.
NZ707 ZK-OJO still orbiting at FL290.
EK413 A6-EDA still orbiting at FL340
9M-MRH MAS141 orbiting at Orange at FL370.

The big storm cells are south east of the airport now.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

MAS141 9M-MRH and QF32 VH-OQD were holding south of Orange but in the last few mins QF32 has descended to FL330 and heading towards TARAL.

[Grahame Hutchison]

NZ707 ZK-OJO heading in to MARLN at FL244.
QF32 VH-OQD is heading for Goulburn to join 9V-SPJ SQ219.
EK413 A6-EDA is back out at 120nm again.

[Grahame Hutchison]

QF32 VH-OQD started to orbit northwest of Goulburn.
NZ707 ZK-OJO orbited near MARLN and is now heading in.
9V-SPJ SQ219 is heading in via RIVIT.

JQ3, NZ744 ZK-OJD have departed.

Storm cells are moderating and off the coast between Wollongong and Sydney.

Looks like VH-ZRB tracked off the coast at Lake Macquarie to avoid a cell south of Cessnock, and now back inland to pickup the BOREE, BEROW track in.

[Grahame Hutchison]

It appears that QF32 VH-OQD at FL237 got the jump on 9M-MRH MAS141 at FL258, and are both heading in towards RIVIT.

NZ786 ZK-OJI is heading out via DIPSO at FL140.

[Adam P.]

That little cloud came through at just the wrong moment... it didn't last long, but it's created a few delays across the place.

[KrishnaM]

only lasted about 15 minutes but impressive lightning show from Wolli Creek.. would have been a good photo opp from international terminal

[Grahame Hutchison]

TG991 HS-TKS is approaching west of Orange at FL350 but should be able to head straight in via TARAL and RIVIT.
EK413 A6-EDA is heading in and just approaching WHALE.

Looks like A380 QF32 VH-OQD will be immediately ahead of A380 EK413 A6-EDA for Runway 34L.

Correction, they have taken A380 EK413 A6-EDA directly overhead the airport and 9M-MRH MAS141 will slot in between them.

And now back to normal operations again by the look of the strom cells (a bit like calling a horse race).

[Adam P.]

back to normal operations again
...if you call 50 minutes inbound traffic holding and 25-ish minute start clearances 'normal'!!

This one will take a while to clean up I fear.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Point taken Adam, but we have ...

TG991 HS-TKC, then QF766 VH-VYG, then DJ669 VH-VBZ, then TT846 VH-VND, then DJ877 VH-VOW all heading in between TARAL and YSSY.

so on the improve.

[David Ramsay]

Nice night to be working your job, Mr P. ;)

[Chris W]

He did the easy stuff this evening.

[Adam P.]

So I see this morning Chris... :D nice handover!!!

[Chris W]

Pleasure.

[Philip Argy]

Could be more in the next few hours from the looks of things

[Darren Butterworth]

Here are a couple of shots I took of this storm with the YSSY to the left.

more at www.darrenbutterworth.com

783

784

Darren

[Darren Butterworth]

somehow that didn't work

785

786

[Mike W]

OMG Darren, those photos are awesome!

[Darren Butterworth]

Thanks Mike - I can't wait until the storm season is in full swing.

Daz

[Gerard M]

I heard that we can expect 100km/h winds tomorrow in Sydney. Should spice things up a bit at the airport. Will be interesting if it eventuates, how bady it will delay aircraft.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/sydney-severe-weather-warning-100kmh-winds-on-the-way-20090922-fz6s.html

[Gerard M]

The current ATIS for Sydney states that there are going to be diversions due weather. A couple of a/c holding over tarel south again tonight
SYDNEY TERMINAL INFORMATION OSCAR

Operational Info: PARALLEL RWY OPS IN PROG.
INDEPENDENT DEPARTURES IN PROG.
EXP DEP DELAYS DUE Weather DIVERSIONS
Wind: 280/15-25, CROSSWIND MAX 20
Visibility: 10 KM, REDUCED TO 6 KM, IN PASSING SH
Weather: CB IN AREA

ETD454
ANZ707 over Warty - actually now heading 002 degrees...possibly diverting to Brisbane?
UAE413 south of Shark - did a very big circuit from Shark to Warty at FL410.
QF32 holding over Makka

NZ105 from Auckland has been Canceled
QF 48 delayed a few hours
SIN219 delayed

And numerous delayed departing and arrving domestic flights.

[Mark T]

Looks like NZ707 has definitely diverted to Brisbane. There are now delays of at least 60 minutes for departures, with some a/c having been waiting longer than this.

[Grahame Hutchison]

QF32 VH-OQD holding east of Crookwell at FL351
DJ873 VH-VUC holding east of TARAL at FL309
Thai 991 HS-TKC is holding south of Orange at FL350
DJ877 VH-VOT is holding west of Canberra at FL380

Time 1932
QF32 VH-OQD now tracking into YSSY via RIVIT
DJ873 VH-VUC now tracking into YSSY via RIVIT

Time 1944
Thai 991 HS-TKC now tracking into YSSY via RIVIT
DJ877 VH-VOT now tracking into YSSY via RIVIT
EK413 A6-EDB was heading in towards MARLN but was vectored up to ENTRA before heading southwest again and overhead YSSY
CPA139 B-LAC now tracking into YSSY via BOREE

Time 1853
Looks like QF32 VH-OQD had a missed approach and is tracking south overhead Southerland
The A380s are shadowing each other, EK413 closely following QF32, with CPA139 joining them from behind
The tight conga line is QF32, Ek413, CPA139, Thai 991 and QF927.

[Gerard M]

CPA139 B-LAC holding north of MQD at FL280

745p

QFA88 now holding south of SGT with QFA927
And also looks like UAE413 is finally makings its way in.

Thai 991 HS-TKC now tracking into YSSY via RIVIT They must be hoping for a quick turn around because 991 is open for their departure to Brisbane already!!!

I'm no meterologist but it seems to have all cleared for now but according to BOM.gov.au there is more forming west of bathurst/lithgow which may or may not build up closer in to Sydney.

[Nick W]

VH-OGC 767 is in Williamtown

[Gerard M]

ANZ707 is on its way back to Sydney now from Brisbane.

Due in at 10:40pm.

[Jason Le]

QF450 (MEL-SYD) VH-OGC diverted to Williamtown after making 2 attempts to land around 6.30pm. Initial arrival time was 5.55pm.

Diverted to Williamtown after encountering severe turbulence and almost declaring a fuel emergency. The pilots were a little shaken by the experience and asked for 5 minutes time out from ATC to 'gather their thoughts'... fair enough too.

After holding for 20 minutes they ended up in Williamtown.

Only arrived back in Sydney at 10.50pm.

Sounds like the pax had a major roller coaster ride. A 6 hour flight from MEL!

Mother nature is always the boss...

[Chris W]

Today is looking even better. Current TTF for SYD:

TTF SPECI YSSY 221930Z 29020KT 0500 DS VV/// 20/06 Q0993

The dust storm is incredible outside.

[Micheil Keegan]

Great view from the mound...

BA15 made it in on 16R, CX111 diverted to MEL.

[Davd D]

UA839 & UA863 on the ground in BNE along with QF6, QF2, QF74, QF12, QF20, BA9,
JL771 also heading up the coast now.

[Mike S]

By the looks of my car, the planes on the ground might need a wash today :)

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv329/mikestewart_01/duststorm042.jpg

[Sarah C]

Micheil's pic sums it up. I have arrived at work and the dust is beyond amazing. You can't see beyond 100 metres! Any car washing businesses will do well in the coming days thats for sure!

Someone from SYD airport said the BA15 arrived, as well as the VS from HKG and he said many of the domestic departures are getting away.

Would the wind be causing most of the problem or the dust?

[Chris W]

From my place just after 0600 this morning:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3945971444_e23f13aa2d.jpg

It was an incredible red colour as the sun was rising.

[Andrew C]

Is YSSY open ATM?

[Michael Mak]

It is open according to ATIS:

ATIS ATIS YSSY S 222156
APCH: EXP ILS APCH
RWY: 25
SFC COND: DUST PATCHES ON RWY
+ OPR INFO: RUNWAY VISIBILITY 1500M RWY 25 IN DUST
+ WND: 270/25
XW MAX 19 KTS
+ TMP: 18
+ QNH: 997
+ SIGWX: EXP TURB IN CIRCUIT AREA

[Davd D]

Looks like most morning flights from NZ (Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch) have been cancelled.

QF130 div BNE
QF128 div BNE
EK418 div MEL
QF050 div MEL
QF368 div MEL
OZ601 div MEL
QF022 div MEL
DJ071 div MEL

[Sarah C]

Just saw the EK A380 departing off 25 - it rotated very quickly!

[Mark T]

Would the wind be causing most of the problem or the dust?

Cathay diverted due to company policy on Min Visibility which I think is 800m and at the time the RVR was 780m. The downwin component on 16R when Virgin Atlantic arrived was 16 knots and about 24knots crosswind.

Pretty tough morning with low vis and high winds - a couple of flights received congratulations from Tower after touching down.

[Sarmad Al-Khozaie]

What is the status of UA839 and UA840 ?

Syd Airport Site Seems to be down :S

[Dan Hammond]

According to the Melbourne Airport website, UA839 is scheduled to arrive from SYD at 9.40 and estimated to arrive at 11.30

[Justin L]

I work in Botany right next to the east-west runway flight path and we saw a United 747 come in to land from the east on the east-west runway sometime around 9.30am. Not sure which of the United flights it was though.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Still lots of a/c holding:

JAZ771,CP101 and QF108 near Singleton

SQ221,QF6,QF730 over Goulburn

JQ200 and ACI140 out near Shark.

Interesting patterns on PP.

Also noticed Delta DL17 heading towards Brisbane but earlier DL16 departed??

[Michael Morrison]

Also noticed Delta DL17 heading towards Brisbane but earlier DL16 departed??

I think DL have been parking aircraft at SYD all week.... IE DL17 would o/n and do the folloinig days DL16... hence why DL16 could take off pretty much on time today.

[Sarah C]

Visibility is starting to clear- I can almost see to the ends of the runways, a vast improvement on an hour ago. There is a line up waiting to depart on 25 (including VH-EBL and the UA 747 to MEL) but it also looks like 34 L might be open for landings.

Off topic, maybe we could rename this thread "Weather Conditions at YSSY" and make it a sticky.

Nice idea. Done. - mod.

[Gerard M]

What is the status of UA839 and UA840 ?

Syd Airport Site Seems to be down :S
863 landed 1005am
839 landed 920am

[steve k]

were any flights diverted to ADL, anyone know?

[Gerard M]

The website doesn't show any diverting to ADL a couple to Mel including QF50,22 OZ601, EK418. Scrolling through it looks like most of the mornings flights from NZ as well as a couple from this afternoon have been cancelled including tonights EK419 from Christchurch.

[Kent Broadhead]

Whilst the dust is the biggest issue, the wind has also been making for some interesting 07 landings - Aeropelican Jetstream looked like a certain go-around until well down the runway!!!

Kent

[Gerard M]

Well it looks like its starting to improve visibility wise, back to34 L/R ops and 6km vis in Dust.

[Davd D]

BNE is now being hit with the storm, flights that had diverted from SYD are now becoming further delayed.

Interesting day.

[Brandon Giacomin]

Here's a few pics from BNE today
At the bottom of pg1 and the top of pg2.
http://www.jetspotter.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10558

[Gerard M]

Some good photos there, wonder if airliners/jetphotos will accept the really orangey hazing ones? Did anyone get any from Sydney this morning? It seemed to have mostly cleared by 2pm.

Going to be a bit bumpy on the way down/up into Sydney with severe turbulance below 10,000ft from Wagga to Tamworth.

So far there are two many arrivals and departures to NZ to clist but

CX111 diverted Mel due in at 720p however CX110 was scheduled for a dept at 10pm but now has cancelled.
EK418 diverted Mel now due at 6pm

Canceled are: EK419, DJ155

Also, in the atis : "START CLEARANCES ARE REQD PRIOR TO ENGINE START.", why are start clearances required?

[matthew mcdonald]

They went back over to just operating on 25 from about 1pm-3:25pm and then opened 34L back up.

[Anthony J]

I headed out to take some shots at about 1430 but it became addictive as 25 was used for most departures, including the SQ A380.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Runway 25 is in operation now with MAS141, SQ219 and QF32 all on downwind, left base and final. JQ150 is heading in from the east and should get a straight in approach. Two Saab 340s are heading in via ODALE for the same approach at this stage. The FedEX 77 MD-11 N616FE has a Richmond departure from 25.

Hawaiian 451 N591HA has just joined JQ150 for a MARLN approach to 25. Vectored right just short of WHALE to intercept the 25 localizer.

United 840 N127UA has departed off 16R tracking just north of EVONN.

SYDNEY TERMINAL INFORMATION PAPA

Approach: EXP VISUAL APCH
Runway: 25
Operational Info: START CLEARANCES ARE REQD PRIOR TO ENGINE START.
CONTACT TOWER ON 127.6
Wind: 250/25-35
Visibility: GREATER 10KM
Cloud: FEW 040
Temperature: 19
QNH: 1003

1907 UP33 N271UP has a Richmond departure off 25
1909 NZ744 ZK-OJM departed off 25 and tracking east over Chatswood then CAWLY
1917 SQ234 9V-SWP departed off 16R tracking back over the coast at Stanwell Tops then Richmond and BOTSY
1919 EK413 A6-EDC tracking in via MARLN at FL199 (MARLN at FL120) then WHALE for 25
1921 TG991 HS-TKF tracking in towards RIVET at FL237 an 392kts

1928 SYDNEY TERMINAL INFORMATION QUEBEC

Approach: EXP VISUAL APCH
Runway: 25
Operational Info: START CLEARANCES ARE REQD PRIOR TO ENGINE START.
CONTACT TOWER ON 127.6
Wind: 250/25-35
Visibility: GREATER 10KM
Cloud: FEW 040
Temperature: 18
QNH: 1004

1931 JQ37 VH-EBA off 25
1933 QF1 VH-OJG off 16R and tracked back in over the Royal National Park and directly overhead TG991 (5000ft above) then Richmond and BOTSY

[Mike S]

Top shot Anthony J!

[Erik H. Bakke]

Where was that shot taken from?
Top notch photo...

[Darren Butterworth]

Anthony - Here's a couple of shots at the same moment from my balcony, I was glad to see that Nigel employed SIA to clear some dust from runway 25, but I was truly amazed at what the 380 kicked up compared to all other traffic.

795

796

797

Daz

[Gareth Forwood]

A few of us were out there from sunrise today... although we didnt actually see the sun until late morning!

Here are some pics - click on them to go to the flickr originals.

This is the scene we were originally greeted with - we could barely see anything. Keep in mind this photo was taken at 6:25am, a full 40 minutes after sunrise!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3946669823_6f1ecfc7e0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethforwood/3946669823/sizes/o/)

Looking down Ross Smith Ave with LAN on short final
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/3946670047_9d32c3aa25.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethforwood/3946670047/sizes/o/)

7 Network film crew and reporter Damien Smith capturing some footage of go-arounds - we even had a starring role in the 6pm News!!! :D
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3946670351_76867ce201_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethforwood/3946670351/sizes/o/)....http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/3947451722_1edb7b2931_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethforwood/3947451722/sizes/o/)

Singapore Airlines Cargo on short final - note how the CT can only just be made out...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3439/3946670775_2393afc3a9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethforwood/3946670775/sizes/o/)

The first queue starting to form
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3946671111_96d96977f0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethforwood/3946671111/sizes/o/)

The crazy weather didn't stop there - strong winds continued in the afternoon
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3946671381_df56237afa.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/garethforwood/3946671381/sizes/o/)

[Anthony J]

Thanks guys, it was taken from Barton Park.

[Michael Atkin]

Yeahh a nice shot indeed Anthony i was walking behind the blast shield with my ladder and almost got blown over when the SQ380 starting rolling.

Gareth nice photos mate it looks like it would have been quite uncomfortable with that dust around out there.

[Darren Butterworth]

Hey Gareth - I saw you on the news, well actually my son saw you first, called me and was signing that he remembered he met you at the mound. It was a day with Rakesh.

I'll get your autograph next time we catch up.

Daz

[Gerard M]

A great lot of photos there guys, thanks for that.

Here are some from the defence site with the conditions at RAAF Richmond. Masks were required for anyone working outside!!!

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2009/Sep/20090923a/index.htm

[Michael Atkin]

Here is QF17 kicking up a little dust as it depart of Rwy 25, looked quite incredible
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff117/michael_atkin/IMG_0662_resize.jpg

[Jason H]

wow! That's nuts that QF17 was able to use 25; that's like a 13hour flight, how was it able to get off the runway!?

[Michael Atkin]

Yeah thats what i thought at the time i heard it aswell, the pilot did say to the tower on approaching the holding point that did need a minimum of 18knots of wind on the nose for 25 to be suitable, i think it was about 20 knots when they departed so pretty lucky.

[Sarah C]

One of the FJ 747's just took off 16L - the dust cloud it blasted behind it was amazing!

[Anthony J]

It was awesome watching QF17 depart!!!
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z280/AJ767/VHOEF_SYD_23SEP2009_600.jpg
...and one of VH-QPE cleaning up!
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z280/AJ767/VHQPE_SYD_23SEP2009_600.jpg

[Michael Atkin]

Wow!! thats an amazing photo Anthony the dust was epic when it rotated, is the barton park carpark opened now or is half of it still blocked off

[Sarah C]

AJ is just showing off now - those photos are awesome! :)

[Anthony J]

Thanks heaps!

Fences were still up, but all the gates were open.

[Michael Atkin]

Well since we are all in a photo sharing mood i got a pretty good one of a nice queue of aircraft on twy G
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff117/michael_atkin/vh-ogk_qfa_767_long_queue.jpg

[Lee G]

AJ - great photos!

Michael - hell of a conga line you've captured there - again really great photo.

[Benny Zheng]

Nice pictures there guys!

[Dan Hammond]

Guys, These photos are awesome, thanks for sharing:)

[Ryan Hothersall]

Those take off shots look like a dirt airstrip in the outback.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Here is my best shot from early Wednesday morning at the intersection of Runways 16R and 25 .... maybe a little over sharpened.

http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/Sydney%20Dust%20Storm.jpg

[Erik H. Bakke]

Gold, Grahame, pure gold. :)

[Brian Wilkes]

Screener's choice award Grahame on Jetspotters net!

[Stephen Brown]

Its been Photoshopped..It was more red than that.

[David Ramsay]

Thanks guys ... we've got it here in Auckland now.

Nowhere as bad as YSSY but NZAA ATIS has included "widespread dust" all morning. With TT:15, DP:15, light rain showers and dust, it's a lovely morning here. :eek:

[Mick F]

Bit more rain and we might manage to finally bury New Zealand, :). We've only been trying for the last 200 years.

Mick

[David Ramsay]

Bury us in mud? Might be the only way you can beat the AB's. :p

[phil.l]

Could now be called the all Reds!

[Darren Butterworth]

Another one on the way tonight, expected to reach the Blue Mountains at midnight.

My dust storm pics at - www.darrenbutterworth.com

[Chris W]

Current storm buried Broken Hill again by 4pm. Rex cancelled its midday SYD flight and both evening ADL flights. Went through GFF by 9pm and expected in SYD by 0200-0400.

[Adam P.]

Been a 'fun' evening again, Chris?? :)

[Benny Zheng]

Planes arriving into Sydney has not been delayed for arrival so far.

QFA006 B744 04:43 WSSS In Flight
BAW015 B772 04:50 WSSS In Flight
QFA002 B744 04:50 VTBS In Flight
SIA221 A388 05:24 WSSS In Flight
CCA173 A332 05:31 ZBAA In Flight
CPA111 A333 05:38 VHHH In Flight
UAL839 B744 05:44 KLAX In Flight
QFA012 B744 05:47 KLAX In Flight
UAL863 B744 05:51 KSFO In Flight
UAE412 A388 05:52 OMDB In Flight
BAW009 B744 05:56 VTBS In Flight
ETD450 A346 06:08 OMAA In Flight
JST038 A332 06:46 WADD In Flight
QFA042 A333 07:17 WIII In Flight

[Robert Zweck]

South Aussies believe in karma............

We dumped a whole lot of dirt on you New South Welshmen in return for stealing our River Murray water

[lloyd fox]

We in Brisbane have been given 9 days water restriction lifting to clean our homes and cars of this dust.

Good one Robert.:rolleyes:

[Grahame Hutchison]

SYDNEY TERMINAL INFORMATION XRAY

Approach: EXP ILS APCH
Runway: 34L AND R FOR ARRS AND DEPS
Operational Info: PARALLEL RWY OPS IN PROG.
INDEPENDENT DEPARTURES IN PROG
Wind: 290/15-30, CROSSWIND MAX 22 KNOTS
Visibility: REDUCED TO 5000 M IN DUST
Temperature: 18
QNH: 1003

[Anthony J]

Back to Runway 25 ops today:
ATIS YSSY H 260315
APCH: EXP VISUAL APCH
RWY: 25
+ WND: 280/25-35
XW MN 20 MAX 23 KTS
CLD: CAVOK
TMP: 19
QNH: 1004
SIGWX: EXP TURB ON FINAL

[Lee G]

AJ,

Do you think the asian departures (QF1 , QF31 , SQ etc) will be off of 25 this afternoon?

[Anthony J]

It's a bit different to the other day as it's blowing from 280, 40 degrees off 25, 50 degrees off 34L, so not much in it. SQ might take 25 but QF1/5/31 will probably do 34L.

Who knows!?

[Anthony J]

Well, QF5 departed off 25, QF31 is taxying to 25 now! Only SQ and EY have used 34L!

[Michael Atkin]

Add Malaysian to that list, not sure why it went off 34L it was up very early, same as BA10

[Brandon Giacomin]

BNE visibility is now down to 2km's due to the second dust storm

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Few a/c holding outside SYD:

VH-OQB (QF32) and A6-EHI (EY454) are holding near Goulburn.
ZK-ZQB (QF44) is holding out near Shark.
VH-VQQ (JQ415) is over Cessnock)

Latest weather has wind 270 23kts gusting to 37kts but not sure this is the reason for the holding?

[Wenglock M]

Few a/c holding outside SYD:

<snip>

Latest weather has wind 270 23kts gusting to 37kts but not sure this is the reason for the holding?

Hi Peter,

Was on QF562 from CBR this evening and according to the captain, the hold is due to a very 'blowy Sydney' which I presume is winds. There are quite a few domestic hold-ups as well according to the screens in T3.

[Anthony J]

From when I arrived at about 1400 it was single runway ops for all except Qantas 73, Singapore 222 and both Uniteds.

Everyone else used 25, including Etihad!

[Grahame Hutchison]

2125
DJ889 VH-VBZ holding between TARAL and Goulburn at FL210
DJ437 VH-VUC holding between TARAL and Goulburn at FL220
QF774 VH-VYC holding south of Crookwell at FL288
JQ748 VH-VQV holding south of Crookwell at FL263

2127
DJ889 is heading in via TARAL and RIVET
DJ437 is heading in via TARAL and RIVET

2133
TT532 VH-VNC holding south of Crookwell AT FL290
JQ748 is heading in via TARAL and RIVET

2136
QF774 is heading in via RIVET
JQ626 VH-VQA holding south of Crookwell At FL290
QF492 VH-VYH holding south of Crookwell At FL314

2145
TT532 is heading in via TARAL and RIVET at FL210
JQ626 is heading in via TARAL and RIVET at FL239
QF566 VH-OJS B747 holding south of Crookwell at FL 300

2156
QF492 is heading in via TARAL and RIVET at FL250
QF566 is heading in via TARAL and RIVET at FL248

[Stephen Harris]

Very interesting Ethiad take off today. Seems to really swing from side to side. Wouldn't have liked to be on board.

QF A380 was a beautiful site and was up very quickly.

[Gerard M]

My flight from Brisbane to Sydney was delayed about and hour and a half. Arrived into Sydney at 11pm after about 20-25 mins holding north of Sydney and landing on 25. Pilot informed us that single runway ops causing delays etc and also a disabled or something aircraft don't know if it was on the runway does anyone know?

[Justin L]

My flight from Melbourne to Sydney last night (27 Sep) was also delayed by about 1 hour 45 minutes for the same reason - single runway ops due to heavy winds. We had to hold and circle for 20-25 minutes just before descent also.

When I arrived in Sydney, all the departure/arrival boards were showing similar delays for a number of flights.

[Mike W]

Same explanation to us, except for the U/S aircraft on the runway. I imagine that would have been the Jetstar?

I don't know about the later flights but there was a fiasco earlier in the day (Saturday) with a JQ 330 (JQ19 I think) that had brake issues.

It taxied to Tango 6 holding point and had to be towed back to gate 4 (I think) for a couple of hours to fix (the pax stayed on board) and then back to Tango 6 again for departure. It then broke down again briefly but inpinging on 34L so China Southern had to go around and for sure some other craft were inconvenienced as well.

It was a farce really. What's the go with these 330's? Is it just me or do these things have reliability issues?

[Adam.S]

What's the go with these 330's? Is it just me or do these things have reliability issues?

Where do they receive the majority of their maintenance, in Australia or overseas?

[Gerard M]

Thanks Mike for the info. From what i heard (was trying to watch ncis!!) it sounded like he was delayed departing sydney initially from the single rwy ops and also an issue with a jq flight at the same time, hence late into brisbane and back to sydney.
I was expecting a very bumpy ride back down into sydney but it was surprisingly a lot smoother than everyone made out. That and the landing was very nicely done!

[Andrew P]

bummer - CX111 has gone to BNE because of winds

so my flight to HK is delayed (no departure time yet) and onward connection to MNL

[Brandon Giacomin]

BA15 also diverted but they have both left BNE now and have arrived in SYD.

BA15 LHR-SIN-SYD G-YMMP arr BNE 0525 dep BNE 0713
CX111 HKG-SYD B-LAE arr BNE 0557 dep BNE 0648

[Andrew P]

pity the 54 students and teachers form Mosman High, who missed their connection in HK from CX110, and now have to stay overnight in HK, at CX expense

[Stephen B]

How much damage/wear do the aircraft suffer operating in conditions like that? I'd be thinking of various intakes clogging, paint abrasion and engine wear/abrasion. Just thinking back to the BA 747 that flew through the volcano over Java back in the 80's.

And also how much does it increase the detail of the ground inspections afterwards?

[Anthony J]

All the manufacturers were consulted by Qantas on the 23rd....the response was basically "are you aware there are airlines operating in the Middle East?"

[Mike W]

^ :D

[Grahame Hutchison]

Another interesting day today ...

SYDNEY TERMINAL INFORMATION ALPHA

Approach: EXP INDEPENDENT VISUAL APCH
Runway: 16L AND R FOR ARRS AND DEPS
Operational Info: PARALLEL RWY OPS IN PROG.
INDEPENDENT DEPARTURES IN PROG
Wind: 200/20-40, CROSSWIND MN 16 MAX 25
Visibility: GREATER 10KM
Weather: SH IN AREA
Cloud: FEW 023 FEW 030
Temperature: 14
QNH: 1018

[Krzysztof M]

Info G is currently showing wind 190/30-43. Now, if it only turns a bit more to the west..

[Adam P.]

Now, if it only turns a bit more to the west..

NO! NO!! Don't do that!!! :eek:

[Zac M]

Can anyone tell me if Sydney was down to single runway ops on Tuesday (06/10) at around 10:00.

I believe that when I arrived on JO771 we used 34L, but once I got over to the domestic terminal they only seemed to be using the runway just infront of the Qantas Museum (16R I believe). The United Jumbo was there for about 15mins awaiting it's turn.

While on the topic of my travels did anyone happen to photograph JO771/772 on the 18/09 (JA706J) or 06/10 (JA707J) and QF1473 (or the flight that it came in on) on the 06/10 (VH-QON)

[Krzysztof M]

NO! NO!! :eek:

Haha what's the pushbike's demonstrated crosswind capabilities Adam P? (As in P with the dot ;))

[Stephen Brown]

NO! NO!! Don't do that!!! :eek:

Harden up and do your job....

[Adam P.]

Haha what's the pushbike's demonstrated crosswind capabilities
Better than that Cherokee of yours I'd say... :D The ride home last night was rather quick (though the ride in to work was a little slower than usual...).

[Sarah C]

Lightning in the area at the moment. A DJ 738 just aborted a landing on 16L - other aircraft are on the taxi ways (a few down the end of runway 25)......

And now a JQ 320 also aborted a landing while the Strategic A330 got airborne on 16R. Looks like an interesting night ahead.

[Jason H]

QF444 went around at around 5.15pm on 34L from windshear, as did QF562 on 16R at 5.50pm. 16L was temporarily out of action at 5.45pm due to winds

[Grahame Hutchison]

1900 VH-VNG TT844 Holding west of Goulburn
1900 VH-QPF QF580 FL278 Holding west of Goulburn

1902 BH-VNG heading in via TARAL as is VH-QPF now.

[Darren Butterworth]

Sorry to bump an old thread back up, but the storm that rolled over YSSY on Tuesday afternoon was spectacular.

It's hard to catch lightning shots at night and near impossible during the day and even harder with the rain pouring in on my balcony, but I managed to jag a few.

855 856 857


My favourite is the last shot with the bolt reflecting on runway 25/07.

Hopefully I can get some more over the next few days.

Darren

[Greg McDonald]

Top shots Darren!!

[Lee G]

Darren,

You may get another opportunity tonight ....

TAF TAF AMD YSSY 192220Z 2000/2106
02018KT CAVOK
FM201200 29008KT 9999 FEW020
FM202300 16015KT 9999 FEW015 SCT025
PROB30 TEMPO 2006/2012 VRB25G35KT 3000 TSRA SCT010 SCT050CB
RMK

[Philip Argy]

Top shots Darren!!

Hear Hear!

[Philip Argy]

This is as hairy as it gets:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/SATA-International/Airbus-A310-325-ET/1615692/L/

I'm a devout atheist, but I could become religious if I'd survived this!

[Ryan Hothersall]

I'm a devout atheist, but I could become religious if I'd survived this!

You're not wrong there Philip!. I think I would be praying to that guy whose name starts with G.