Ask The Pilot

[ChrisGibbs]

Thanks for this. Assuming the aircraft had a MEL before the outbound sectors how do you explain for the direct route on the outbound sectors and the indirect routing for the return sectors?

 

[AviatorInsight]

Thanks for this. Assuming the aircraft had a MEL before the outbound sectors how do you explain for the direct route on the outbound sectors and the indirect routing for the return sectors?

If an EDTO MEL was applied before they left MEL (too many MELs), then there is no way they could make that direct track to AKL. The FR24 data shows they actually landed early and then left 30mins late. Perhaps something happened on the turn?

Every other AKL-MEL flight took that direct tracking back on that day, so it wouldn't have been to avoid any jetstreams.

I've included a photo showing the 60min rings on the major ports that would be able to be used as EDTO airports. MEL-AKL-MEL has a segment that needs to be EDTO. Otherwise, you can see the track that you would need to take to remain within 60mins, it looks very similar to the one actually flown.

 

[Gladstone Tim]

If an EDTO MEL was applied before they left MEL (too many MELs), then there is no way they could make that direct track to AKL. The FR24 data shows they actually landed early and then left 30mins late. Perhaps something happened on the turn?

Every other AKL-MEL flight took that direct tracking back on that day, so it wouldn't have been to avoid any jetstreams.

I've included a photo showing the 60min rings on the major ports that would be able to be used as EDTO airports. MEL-AKL-MEL has a segment that needs to be EDTO. Otherwise, you can see the track that you would need to take to remain within 60mins, it looks very similar to the one actually flown.


View attachment 444596

Excellent map & explanation. Thank you!

 

[Saab34]

JB. I noted the leading edge here has seen better days on this Global A380. What is going on here?

 

[jb747]

Looks like that engineering tape covering up stone chips. Can’t say I’ve ever seen it before, but I doubt that it’s anything other than paint damage.

 

[Saab34]

AV, is the MAX10 something you are looking forward to? Thoughts on the design?

 

[ChrisGibbs]

I've included a photo showing the 60min rings on the major ports that would be able to be used as EDTO airports. MEL-AKL-MEL has a segment that needs to be EDTO. Otherwise, you can see the track that you would need to take to remain within 60mins, it looks very similar to the one actually flown.


View attachment 444596

I would be interested in seeing a similar EDTO ring map for the QF165/166 BNE-ROR-BNE sectors that I was on a few weeks back... They must just be able to do this EDTO - especially on the outbound sector...

 

[AviatorInsight]

I would be interested in seeing a similar EDTO ring map for the QF165/166 BNE-ROR-BNE sectors that I was on a few weeks back... They must just be able to do this EDTO - especially on the outbound sector...

They definitely can. Their alternate is Saipan which they can just make non-EDTO. Unfortunately because VA no longer fly to HND the ports have been taken out of the database so I can’t use the Jeppesen charts, but this is the closest I could get to showing that.

 

[AviatorInsight]

AV, is the MAX10 something you are looking forward to? Thoughts on the design?

Yeah it would be the closest thing I could get to the 757 in my lifetime I think, just without the performance. The -10s really need higher rated thrust engines. The new ones going to VARA will be 27k equipped (current ones are 25k), and you can definitely notice the lack of thrust compared to a 26k NG that is 3tonnes lighter.

I’m hoping also, that the main landing gear link will make it a bit nicer to land. The -8 is already so much easier to land so we’ll see if that has any effect on landings.

Lets hope if it ever gets certified that they use it on some good SHI routes.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

Thanks for this. If I have it right QF would always carry fuel for Saipan? There isn’t much overlap between the Saipan and Palau circles?

 

[AviatorInsight]

Thanks for this. If I have it right QF would always carry fuel for Saipan? There isn’t much overlap between the Saipan and Palau circles?

That’s right there isn’t much overlap. It’s very close. They would always carry the fuel for an alternate. You would be crazy to not have fuel to go anywhere else when flying to an island in the middle of the ocean with only one runway.

Just take a look at what happened to PelAir’s Westwind at Norfolk Island some years back.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

Just take a look at what happened to PelAir’s Westwind at Norfolk Island some years back.

Good point.

Interesting that this evenings QF135 BNE-CHC VH-XZC service looks to be doing something similar.

 

[Quickstatus]

Just take a look at what happened to PelAir’s Westwind at Norfolk Island some years back.

I've never understood why a pilot would not want to carry alternate fuel in the middle of the ocean or check weather at destination before point of no return (regardless of company /regulatory requirements

 

[ausfox]

The bean counters don’t like wasting weight on fuel.

 

[AviatorInsight]

The bean counters don’t like wasting weight on fuel.

To which I’ll always say to them, they’re called fuel tanks for a reason.

 

[jb747]

That’s right there isn’t much overlap. It’s very close. They would always carry the fuel for an alternate. You would be crazy to not have fuel to go anywhere else when flying to an island in the middle of the ocean with only one runway.

Possibly worth noting that the climb and descent phases of the flight aren't considered for the application of ETOPs. So, that can potentially change your geometry by a hundred NM or so.

I've never understood why a pilot would not want to carry alternate fuel in the middle of the ocean or check weather at destination before point of no return (regardless of company /regulatory requirements

Not always possible though. For instance, taking a large jet to Tahiti, you probably cannot carry a full alternate. Places like that, there are regulatory approved changes to alternate requirements, which basically amount to more holding.

The bean counters don’t like wasting weight on fuel.

If pilots actually carried the fuel that the bean counters want, you'd probably have so many diversions that they'd end up adding fuel to all the flights.

 

[jb747]

Yeah it would be the closest thing I could get to the 757 in my lifetime I think, just without the performance. The -10s really need higher rated thrust engines. The new ones going to VARA will be 27k equipped (current ones are 25k), and you can definitely notice the lack of thrust compared to a 26k NG that is 3tonnes lighter.

The LEAP engine can go up to 32k lbs...at which point, at 737-10 MTOW, it would have exactly the same thrust to weight ratio as a 757 with RR engines at MTOW. I suspect the 757 might be able to go a bit further though.

But, wouldn't a nice modern update of the 757 be something.

 

[Saab34]

Does anyone get questioned for taking extra fuel? I can’t imagine that would be good for culture.

 

[AviatorInsight]

Does anyone get questioned for taking extra fuel? I can’t imagine that would be good for culture.

Nope. I think they’ve learnt from their mistakes in the past trying that on.

 

[jb747]

Does anyone get questioned for taking extra fuel? I can’t imagine that would be good for culture.

I’m sure they’d love to be able to, but I suspect that they’re aware of the ramifications. Not only would there be push back from the pilot body, but I’m sure the regulator would become heavily involved. The law regarding fuel orders is pretty clear.