Does Anyone Know About Procedures for Small Planes in Bad Weather?

[keithplya9]

So, I have a question for everyone. I was recently scheduled for a flight that was going to use a plane like a A319 or 737 or something, and then the day of the flight they switched us to a tiny little 717, and it got me thinking: With how small and light planes like the 717 or the MD 80 and stuff are, do pilots have any added precautions or procedures when taking off and landing in small planes during bad weather (such as intense rain or snow and ice) ?

 

[trooper]

So, I have a question for everyone. I was recently scheduled for a flight that was going to use a plane like a A319 or 737 or something, and then the day of the flight they switched us to a tiny little 717, and it got me thinking: With how small and light planes like the 717 or the MD 80 and stuff are, do pilots have any added precautions or procedures when taking off and landing in small planes during bad weather (such as intense rain or snow and ice) ?

Umm...while the 717 may have a wingspan some metres less than the A319 or 737 you do realise it is actually LONGER? So where the "tiny" description comes in Im not sure.... In any case I doubt there is any difference in procedures for aircraft THAT close in size... I would GUESS that intense rain etc would affect ALL operations through minimum visibility requirements?

 

[AviatorInsight]

So, I have a question for everyone. I was recently scheduled for a flight that was going to use a plane like a A319 or 737 or something, and then the day of the flight they switched us to a tiny little 717, and it got me thinking: With how small and light planes like the 717 or the MD 80 and stuff are, do pilots have any added precautions or procedures when taking off and landing in small planes during bad weather (such as intense rain or snow and ice) ?

No. If the weather is bad enough, by that I mean thunderstorm within 5nm of the field, or visibility less than that required for take off, then they should not take off or land (depending on the airline of course) irrespective of the size of aircraft. If the runway is contaminated (snow, slush, ice, etc) then there's certain performance parameters that must be met to take off or land.

 

[tgh]

I read the title and visualised a Cessna 172 -v- a CuNim…guess I was wrong

 

[keithplya9]

I wasn’t aware the people here were so hostile... I guess rather than saying thanks, I’ll just say get a life?

 

[juddles]

I wasn’t aware the people here were so hostile... I guess rather than saying thanks, I’ll just say get a life?

keith, noone was hostile! I know that a 717 may seem a smaller plane, but it is actually not really so - and I get why some other readers may have imagined something much smaller. The 717 is as solid and reliable as any other. relax

 

[samh004]

I read the title and visualised a Cessna 172 -v- a CuNim…guess I was wrong

Likewise. Some good answers though. I didn’t realise that the 717 was longer – although maybe that’s compared to the A319 not the 737?

 

[straitman]

The 737 has lengths of 31 - 43 metres depending on model.
The 717 has a length of 38 metres & 115 pax.

The big difference is that there were only 156 717s built with the 737 being the other extreme at over 10,300 built. They are currently being built at 50 per month.

The 737-100 has approx 115 seats where as the 737-800 has approx 175 seats.

 

[samh004]

The big difference is that there were only 156 717s built

I don’t want to drag this off topic – perhaps too late now – but I’m hopeful QFLink will eventually replace the 717 fleet (which I am fond of mind you) with the Airbus A220 (formerly Bombardier CS100/300). Honestly seems like a logical choice considering it’s the same size and probably far more fuel efficient.

 

[AviatorInsight]

I wasn’t aware the people here were so hostile... I guess rather than saying thanks, I’ll just say get a life?

You're welcome.

 

[trooper]

Got a very nice life thanks! Partly I suspect because I don't look for offence where none is intended.
Having spent significant amounts of time in ACTUALLY tiny aircraft (like tgh and his C172!) I find it hard to think of any multi engine passenger jet as "small" in any way.... Your mileage clearly varies.....