How not to land a Passenger Jet
- Thread starter Berserker
- Start date
Well, I hate to put it this way, but size isn't everything.[TW]Fox said:
Runway may not be suitable for a heavy jet. Doubt that's the case, but you never know.
And since someone mentioned conspiracy theorists, I'm surprised no-one has jumped in and mentioned extraordinary rendition yet. Could be interesting to see what happens next.
Berserker said:
Quoted from the OP's first link:
The airstrip at Ballykelly is primarily used by Army helicopters and light aircraft. It was built for huge military planes, making it one of the longest on the island.
I would image that a civil airliner should be fine.
Soldato
- Joined
- 12 Apr 2004
- Posts
- 11,788
- Location
- Somewhere
Haha, woops
Soldato
- Joined
- 15 Jan 2004
- Posts
- 14,199
- Location
- Hall
probably sleeping it off thoughWhitestar said:
.If you have a look on the net, this sort of thing isn't actually that uncommon.
However, saying that- Not in the UK/ Ireland
I would want to know more about the circumstances before I jump to conclusions; Just as an example, what were the weather conditions like- I notice they aren't mentioned!
-Leezer-
However, saying that- Not in the UK/ Ireland
I would want to know more about the circumstances before I jump to conclusions; Just as an example, what were the weather conditions like- I notice they aren't mentioned!
-Leezer-
Sorry about that, just been let off on bail
I made that very same mistake myself although I realised at 2 miles / 800ft when I spotted a rather bright red light from the tower and an irate controller at Eglington shouted down the RT that he had just had a call from Ballykelly. Queue ful lpower, flaps up and a rather expeditious turn onto the final approach track for Rwy26 at EGAE
The reason for the confusion was that there was a Category E ILS configuration flight in the circuit and the ILS was unserviceable. From what I've been told the aircraft executed an overhead join to continue a visual approach from downwind right for runway 26. When the aircraft was turning onto base leg at about 6/7 miles, Ballykelly would have been dead ahead. It's easy to fall into the trap, especially if you're a foreign pilot or new to the area. You are executing a visual approach wihtout any radar vectors, you spot an aerodrome with a big runway in the general area where you expect to see it so you automatically assume it's your destination.
I sympathise with the captain because given the circumstances it was a rather easy mistake to make (although his fully loaded Airbus should have told him he was in the wrong place). The poor guy will very likely lose his job now.
I made that very same mistake myself although I realised at 2 miles / 800ft when I spotted a rather bright red light from the tower and an irate controller at Eglington shouted down the RT that he had just had a call from Ballykelly. Queue ful lpower, flaps up and a rather expeditious turn onto the final approach track for Rwy26 at EGAE
The reason for the confusion was that there was a Category E ILS configuration flight in the circuit and the ILS was unserviceable. From what I've been told the aircraft executed an overhead join to continue a visual approach from downwind right for runway 26. When the aircraft was turning onto base leg at about 6/7 miles, Ballykelly would have been dead ahead. It's easy to fall into the trap, especially if you're a foreign pilot or new to the area. You are executing a visual approach wihtout any radar vectors, you spot an aerodrome with a big runway in the general area where you expect to see it so you automatically assume it's your destination.
I sympathise with the captain because given the circumstances it was a rather easy mistake to make (although his fully loaded Airbus should have told him he was in the wrong place). The poor guy will very likely lose his job now.
Flibster said:At least they found a long runway rather than the Irish specality of a short but very very wide runway...
Simon/~Flibster
Tell me about it, all the runways I land on seem to be about 50m long but anything between 700-2000m wide. It just doesn't make any sense.
"Unfortunately they didn't let us go down the slide"
Man after my own heart there, i wouldnt have gotten off till they let me slide off...
But very strange.. landing at the wrong airport.. without any problems..
"This is your captain speaking.. if you look out of your window.. you can see the airbase.. wuhay!.. now we better get this jet back to Liverpool so someone else can steal it!"
Man after my own heart there, i wouldnt have gotten off till they let me slide off...
But very strange.. landing at the wrong airport.. without any problems..
"This is your captain speaking.. if you look out of your window.. you can see the airbase.. wuhay!.. now we better get this jet back to Liverpool so someone else can steal it!"
Hehe - I had to reread the line you quoted to make sure I'd read it right the first time.[TW]Fox said:Ok so a passenger jet lands at an airbase which has Irelands longest runway and its not clear how it will be removed?
Duh