Fog? Really?

[phill84]

Whilst waiting to board Qantas Link Melbourne to Launceston flight earlier this year, an announcement was made that an earlier Melbourne to Devonport flight was cancelled & customers for that flight would board the flight to Launceston, then be taken by bus to Devonport. The reason given for the cancellation of the flight to Devonport was "fog" at the airport!
Fog!! Really?
The Dash 8 turboprop aircraft used on these routes is relatively modern. Can it not fly through fog? Or for that matter at night?
Does Devonport airport not have radar or the other equipment used to quide aircraft?
I know very little of these matters but the fact that the additional pax exactly filled the flight to Launceston suggested to me the Devonport flight was cancelled simply to save the cost of putting an aircraft in the air.
I'm flying to Devonport in January, hope it isn't cancelled!! :shock:

 

[dajop]

I suggest you use the word "fog" in the search function for the whole AFF Discussion Board. There has been lots of discussion already, where you may learn a bit about the reasons why fog affects flights.

 

[RooFlyer]

The subject of radar coverage in Tasmania has been one of great controversy locally over the past year. None of our 'towers' are staffed any more (I believe) and the radar system at all locations (ie including HBA and LST) apparently leaves a lot to be desired below some height, I can't recall, but say, 3,000 ft.

I hope Boris or some other pilot can chime in here, but i think fog in Tasmania, and I guess especially at Devonport is more of an issue than at most mainland airports.

The arrangements may have still been to suit the airline, but radar in Tasmania is not a straightforward issue, it seems.

In winter, I always take a flight to MEL or SYD the day before when flying out internationally, to avoid fog issues, its that bad.

 

[ftm]

It wouldn't be so much about radar coverage, but rather about the navigation aids at Devonport Airport. It wouldn't have the necessary equipment for the aircraft to be able to do an approach in low cloud/vis. I wouldn't confuse this with the debate about radar coverage, which is about different issues.

 

[Mattg]

When I was living in Canberra, inbound flights would often be delayed or cancelled if there was thick fog in the morning. It was a relatively frequent occurrence during winter.

 

[drron]

Having flown DPO-MEL-DPO a few times I would never book the early morning flight.Not that unusual to be delayed.
I remember flying home from DPO one April when all the days flights DPO-MEL were cancelled.QF came through and informed me in enough time to get to LST.

 

[andmiz]

You are correct, the Dash 8 is a modern aircraft. It can certainly land in poor conditions (approx 0.3km forward visibility) however airport infrastructure however in Australia is behind the times, and systems to allow landing in fog aren't installed at many airports. Even when we fly to Perth, we have to treat it like flying to an island and carry fuel to hold for hours...instead of divert, because there aren't any suitable alternative airports anywhere nearby.

[video=youtube;1d0cIM_1vZ4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d0cIM_1vZ4[/video]

 

[under the radar]

I do laugh when you admit you know little about such matters....yet your post has a blatant 'sarcastic' blame to QF for the situation. I do love the 'underlying meanings' of posters on here :shock:
btw...I would post the same no matter what the airline

 

[jb747]

The Dash 8 turboprop aircraft used on these routes is relatively modern. Can it not fly through fog? Or for that matter at night?

It can...but not to Devonport.

Does Devonport airport not have radar or the other equipment used to quide aircraft?

No. It doesn't. Virtually no airports in Australia can operate in fog. We are very much a backwater as far as airfield facilities are concerned.

 

[phill84]

So would I !!

I do laugh when you admit you know little about such matters....yet your post has a blatant 'sarcastic' blame to QF for the situation. I do love the 'underlying meanings' of posters on here :shock:
btw...I would post the same no matter what the airline