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Approach Runways

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Dene View Drop Down
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Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Location: UK
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dene Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Approach Runways
    Posted: 05 Jul 2014 at 10:48pm
Hi,
 
Does a pilot know the runway on which he/she will be landing on before he/she leaves the departure airport?
Or is it selected once they get closer to the arrival airport?
 
Cheers
Dene
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allardjd View Drop Down
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Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Location: Florida - USA
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote allardjd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jul 2014 at 5:45am
It depends primarily upon the WX.  The wind at the time of arrival determines the runway or set of runways that will be in use at the destination airport.  

Where multiple parallel (more or less) runways are available, often the direction from which the arrival is approaching will bias the assigned runway.  AC can request a specific runway if the one offered is not desirable, but there is no requirement for ATC to comply with that.  If they can accommodate you, they usually will as long as the requested runway is one of the active ones, but if it means crossing you through a busy approach path to another in-use runway it may be problematic for them.

Upon initial contact with the approach controller or at least relatively early in the approach process, it is common to hear ATC advise, "Expect runway nn..." If the offered runway is unacceptable, that's the time to ask for a different one, but in the final analysis, you may or may not get the runway you want.  

It's wise to have all the approach plates for the arrival field easily available. 

Some airports have published instrument approach procedures that include an option for a "Circle to Land" operation or specific CTL approaches.  These have higher minimums and visibility requirements than other forms of the same approach but if the WX cooperates, allow "breaking out" on approach to one runway and then circling to line up and land on another.  These require remaining in visual conditions once the circling maneuver begins.  If visual contact with the runway is lost while circling, a missed approach is required.  At a busy commercial airport, a CTL approach would probably be disruptive and might not be approved anyway.

The wise pilot is prepared to use any runway assigned as long as it's long enough for his aircraft at the expected landing weight.

John Allard
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aniceguy View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Apr 2008
Location: EGNM
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote aniceguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Mar 2015 at 11:43pm
What ^ that person said :)
Visit http://fsprojects.netau.net for my flight sim and train sim web sites :)
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