Planes Using 16L/34R

[Graham F]

As a relatively newby to this forum could someone advise on what if any are the restrictions on use of the Mascot runways. I notice from both visual observations as well as PlanePlotter that Qantas's B767 nearly always use 16L/34R whereas both smaller (turbo props), 737's and internationals all seem to use 16L/34L.
Is this a Qantas preference or an operational requirement?

[Jason H]

34R is used for jet departures to the north, ie Brisbane, and domestic jet departures to the south, ie Melbourne, which is why 767s use it a lot. 34R is also used for departures to the east, such as Auckland.

16L is used for departures to the north and east, again, Brisbane. In this case, 767s to Melbourne will use 16R, for departures to the south

As for arrivals, aircraft up to and including A300/767s may land on either 16L/34R or 16R/34L, as well as A330s on domestic flights.

As for the turboprops and the 737s using 34L/16R, it has to do on their destination. ie, most regional aircraft fly inter state, so they depart to the west; so 16R/34L is used. 737s to Adelaide, Cairns, Alice, Ayers Rock, Darwin, Perth would all use 16R/34L.

International most of the time require 34L/16R due to runway distance required, but flights over to NZ usually use 16L/34R. Again, a lot of internationals are departing northwest or west anyway, except those to the States, so 16R/34L would be the best option.

[NeilP]

Interestingly Air Pacific FJ910 - a 744 - departed off 16L yesterday...

[Nigel C]

Not that I'm saying they use it often, but with SODPROPS and a relatively light aircraft...Air Pacific would be one of the more 'frequent' B747 users of 16L.

[NeilP]

Okay Nigel, I'll ask...

SODPROPS??

[steve k]

simultaneous opposite direction parallel runway operations;)

[NeilP]

Gotchya:o

[Nigel C]

Sorry, I should have been more specific...just laziness on my part! On the very odd occasion you might hear Tower loosely call them "Soddy's".

[Stephen Brown]

Or

"Safety Officer Dudes Petty Ranting On Peoples"

Or

"Safety Officer Doling Painful Retorts Over Posts"

[Graham F]

Thanks very much, Jason H for your detailed response.