Can someone tell me how a Q300 is going to be able to handle weather conditions at Timaru better than a Beech 1900 as in this piece in the Timaru Herald???
Timaru's passenger flights might have fewer weather delays next year, but the possibility of security checks remains up in the air. Air New Zealand says its newer, bigger planes might be able to land more easily in bad weather, but neither the airline nor Richard Pearse Airport's owners have received a definitive answer about whether passengers will need to have their bags checked there. A Beechcraft 1900D plane was unable to land at Richard Pearse Airport on Wednesday because of low cloud over the airfield, and weather conditions have delayed and prevented several landings in the last year. Air New Zealand plans to replace the 19-seat aircraft with 50-seat Q300 aeroplanes on the Timaru to Wellington route in March. A spokeswoman for the airline, Cara Mygind, said on Thursday the larger planes would have more advanced navigation equipment than their smaller predecessors "which can put the aircraft in a more favourable position for landing in certain poor weather conditions". Another change which could accompany the new planes is extra security measures. The Transport Ministry is reviewing security at domestic airports. Although the New Zealand Pilots Association has stated regional airports' security measures are not sufficient to prevent threats, several regional airport operators have warned against imposing onerous screening and fencing requirements. A report presented to Timaru District Councillors on December 1 stated the airport would need $875,000 of renovations to accommodate the new planes and the 35 to 50 per cent increase in passenger capacity they could bring. However, it said the effects of any possible security upgrade were unknown. District services group manager Ashley Harper said on Thursday the council was "not going to second-guess" the Government review. "Who knows what the Government will do?" Harper said the council did not have "any voice" on what security measures were appropriate at the airport. Civil Aviation Authority documents released in 2014 revealed a man climbed a fence in September 2014 to hand an item to a passenger.
Well, well. Air New Zealand employ some lady that doesn't know one end of an aircraft to the other.
ReplyDeleteJust look at Queenstown how many weather diverts there have been this year? A320's also have advanced NAV equipment too!!
This makes our National carrier look stupid, maybe they should stop HR interviewing applicants and revert back to managers doing the hiring, just a thought?
The Queenstown diverts are mostly wind condition related - low cloud won't prevent an arrival unless it's below about 400 feet above aerodrome level. And then there is the occasional snow event that precludes operations.
ReplyDeleteAs for Timaru, the Dash will be operating to the same minima as the Beech however doesn't the latter have some runway threshold crossing height restriction and wet runway issue meaning effective landing distance is reduced? There was some change in CAA rules a year or more ago about it. Perhaps the Dash needs less stopping distance meaning a wet runway won't preclude it from landing as it would the Beech? Just a thought.
Not true.
DeleteIn regards to Queenstown ops, the delays/cancellations are due to the ATR 72 not having RNP capability so there minima is around 1500' AGL. Where as the A320 has RNP and can go down to about 400' and get in most days. It's really only winter when this is a major problem.
In regards to Timaru, the Beech and the Dash fly to the same minima. The Beech will choose between the NDB approach or the RNAV approach. The Dash, as they don't fly NDBs, will only be flying the RNAV. Which gets you down 50' lower.
So when the Beech goes in if the weather is around 500' they will do the RNAV as it gives you the best shot, if it's just a cloud break though, say 1000' ceiling, then they'll just do the NDB as its easier to set up on there systems.
You're right about the lower threshold crossing height but that was only the case and Whangarei during wet conditions. The Beech was apparently flying illegal for years, hence why they don't fly there anymore.
In terms of landing distance required at Timaru, the Beech isn't restricted at all.
Hope this answers your questions.
Thanks
I've also been told wet runways are a huge problem for the Beech (compared to the Q300) by a Kaitaia local who was a regular traveller on NZ's service.
ReplyDeleteBeen a few years admittedly but from my memory of flying the things, only Whangarei and Wanaka really had wet runway issues (Whangarei later exacerbated by the CAA changing it's mind on what had been an acceptable procedure for over a decade).
DeleteFair enough. He was from Kaitaia but may have been referring to Whangarei landings.
DeleteWhangarei had it's runway messed with a few years ago due to the threshold debarkle.
ReplyDeleteBadly worded article with some truth in it. The Q300 is RNAV capable and able to use the associated approach procedures at Timaru which accommodate a straight in landing for both runways. This often gives a better chance of seeing the rwy in low cloud/bad visibility conditions. The cloud base minima is only 50 feet lower for runway 02 compared to the old (NDB) approach the Beech is doing. So yes, a Q300 will more likely be able to land in marginal conditions compared to the Beech.
ReplyDeleteAlso there is no wet runway limitations for the Q300 in Timaru��
The Beech has been doing the RNAV approach, for both runways, for as long as the Dash.
DeleteNot for much longer - they can't do STARS anymore
DeleteThe Beech can do STARs just not RNAV 1 STARs. Which at the moment, the only airports eagle flies to where they can't fly the STARs are AKL, WLG and CHC
DeleteIt's not just Timaru reporting that the Q300s have certain advantages in bad weather. This opinion piece from New Plymouth reports that they can handle a higher crosswind component than the ATRs. Could potentially bode well for Jetstar regional's local reputation once their flights start!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/opinion/72367512/the-case-for-sorting-new-plymouth-airports-crosswind-issue
This true
DeleteBecause the dash gear is set out under the engines they can take up to about a 40kt crosswind. Where as because the ATR has such a narrow wheel base, it's quite a handful so as such there crosswind limit I think is around 25kts. Which at times in NPL is t going to cut it
You are mistaken.
DeleteThe ATR limit is 35 knots.
The Dash has a 36knt crosswind limit, the ATR is 35. However the Dash doesn't have a wet crosswind restriction, where as the ATR does.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they will allow the Q300 to use grass rwy29 at NZTU in strong NW conditions like the F27 did in the 70's and 80's. I believe the 1900D wasn't cleared for grass ops.
ReplyDeleteAh, that won't be happening
ReplyDelete