Melburnian1
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2013
- Posts
- 25,483
The discussion about the sad and tragic loss of five lives at Essendon Airport (MEB) this week:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....news/plane-crash-at-essendon-dfo-81264-9.html
has many technical aspects re what actually occurred. We will know more in time - a long time - as the ATSB is chronically slow in issuing final reports.
Elsewhere in media, Professor Michael Buxton of RMIT has raised what he suggests is the inappropriateness of commercial developments adjacent to runways and how the state and local governments lack any ability to impose planning controls because the airports are on Commonwealth land and leases are then granted.
No one wants to be paranoid, and air travel is largely extremely safe (although relative safety is better - excellent - for larger RPT planes than the very small aircraft not flown by our four main domestic airlines) but if I recall, one of our pilot contributors expressed concern about the suggested less than optimal siting of the proposed MEL third runway that is part of the ongoing master plan. The third runway will be relatively close to commercial development at the airport and may simply be in the wrong position for efficient airline operations given prevailing winds.
What do those with technical or aviator expertise think? Is the third runway at MEL likely to not just be deficient for aircraft operations but also not be as safe as the existing runways, notwithstanding that most RPT aircraft overall are rarely involved in accidents involving loss of life or serious injuries? Or are there no grounds at all for other than minor concerns?
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....news/plane-crash-at-essendon-dfo-81264-9.html
has many technical aspects re what actually occurred. We will know more in time - a long time - as the ATSB is chronically slow in issuing final reports.
Elsewhere in media, Professor Michael Buxton of RMIT has raised what he suggests is the inappropriateness of commercial developments adjacent to runways and how the state and local governments lack any ability to impose planning controls because the airports are on Commonwealth land and leases are then granted.
No one wants to be paranoid, and air travel is largely extremely safe (although relative safety is better - excellent - for larger RPT planes than the very small aircraft not flown by our four main domestic airlines) but if I recall, one of our pilot contributors expressed concern about the suggested less than optimal siting of the proposed MEL third runway that is part of the ongoing master plan. The third runway will be relatively close to commercial development at the airport and may simply be in the wrong position for efficient airline operations given prevailing winds.
What do those with technical or aviator expertise think? Is the third runway at MEL likely to not just be deficient for aircraft operations but also not be as safe as the existing runways, notwithstanding that most RPT aircraft overall are rarely involved in accidents involving loss of life or serious injuries? Or are there no grounds at all for other than minor concerns?
