Speedbird 16 Yesterday 10.4.09

Michael Atkin · #1 11th April 2009, 01:05 PM

I was spotting yesterday at the beach when i saw BA16 taxying down Twy C and turn left onto B10 for a departure on 16L. They were doing Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Rwy ops at the time with departures off 16L and Arrivals 34L, it was quite an awesome sight to see the 777 climbout of 16L. From a fuel and time perspective i thought it would have been better and not wasted as much fuel to just depart on 34L because after it departed on 16L it did the usual sharp left turn east and then turned right to do a wide loop of Sydney to head Northwest.

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewqueued_b.php?id=2434986
theres a picture of a Qantas 737 with the BA777 in the background holding short of 16L.

Speedbird 16 Climning out

Sarah C · #2 11th April 2009, 04:32 PM

Impressive! It is amazing seeing heavies using 16L/34R for departures. I wonder how far down it rotated! I have seen the FJ 747 depart off 16L a couple of times and it rotated pretty late.

It reminded me of a photo our very own Craig Murray got this shot 7 years ago now!

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qanta...ext_id=1249331

Nigel C · #3 11th April 2009, 05:01 PM

Looking at the maps I have, I reckon the photo was taken as it was about over the 34R threshold. That said, it would have rotated at about Tango-3.

Michael Atkin · #4 11th April 2009, 05:33 PM

Yeah i'v seen the Fiji 744 depart 16L/34R a few times also but this is a first for me BA depart on 16L/34R.

Yeah Nigel it was up fairly early maybe 3/4 of the Runway maybe a bit more. but it was rather impressive!

NickN · #5 11th April 2009, 08:31 PM

I assume it would not have been a derated thrust takeoff?

Owen H · #6 11th April 2009, 09:08 PM

Michael,

For a fuel and time perspective it would be FAR more efficient to use 34L, however they have to use the nominated runway for departures unless they have an operational requirement (ie are too heavy).

Sydney is one of the few airports that use "SODPROPS", ie landing in one direction and taking off in the direct opposite.

I often wonder what will happens with those people who are in both protest groups... both the noise and pollution ones.

The anti-noise people love SODPROPS, and other noise "sharing" measures, although it either results in more fuel due to more distance and time, or delays for arriving and departing aircraft also using more fuel and causing more pollution.

Which is more important, the noise or the pollution?

Radi K · #7 12th April 2009, 04:17 PM

I take it that they are using SODROPS more and more due to 07/25 being closed for further noise sharing?

Tim Bowrey · #8 12th April 2009, 05:02 PM

BA16 and TG996 both departed 16L today.

Nigel C · #9 12th April 2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radi K

I take it that they are using SODROPS more and more due to 07/25 being closed for further noise sharing?

Small correction, the east west runway is NOT and has not been closed. It is still available for departures to the east for Code C (B737/A320) aircraft and below from Twy Yankee.

Even when 07/25 is in full operation, SODPROPS is occasionally used if conditions are suitable (no more than 5kts downwind in either direction and cloud at or above 3000', and I presume traffic demands would play a fair part).

James B · #10 12th April 2009, 08:33 PM

Michael thanks for sheading light on what happended on Friday. I was at the mound after 3pm and saw the SQ A380 taxing out along with the BA 777 at the same time and wondered why the 777 taxied out along the east side of the airport. I just assumed they were speading the planes out as it was peak hour. I then waited and waited for the 777 but it never come down 34L. I doubted it could have used 16L but I couldn't see those depatures from the mound area to be sure. I thought it might have had a problem or something ... but obviously not the case. Learn something every day

and 747s using 16L as well.