Designated "Calm Wind Runway"

[cliffy]

Anyone ever look in the AFD and pay attention to the Designated calm wind runway info at uncontrolled fields?

What is the priority for landing going opposite directions?

With straight ins both or 1 doing a pattern?

We have that here (KPGA) but no one even knows what the designation means. We have 1 runway and a free for all each way for landing on calm days.

[mooniac15u]

The calm wind runway usually just has to do with not bothering the neighbors.  Do you have houses off of one end of a crosswind runway?

[Mooneymite]

Maybe someone can correct me, but as I understand it, notes in the AFD are basically "requests".  They do not rise to the force of an FAR, or even local civil regulation.

 

An airport may state "RWY 24, right downwind", or "Do not use RWY 6 after 8 PM".  If you choose to violate these, the local airport manager may read you the riot act and threaten to burn you at the stake, but they have no force of law unless the FAA could characterize your actions as the ever popular, "Careless and Reckless".

 

Is that correct?

[Bob - S50]

Anyone ever look in the AFD and pay attention to the Designated calm wind runway info at uncontrolled fields?

What is the priority for landing going opposite directions?

With straight ins both or 1 doing a pattern?

We have that here (KPGA) but no one even knows what the designation means. We have 1 runway and a free for all each way for landing on calm days.

 

Good question.  The general rule is the plane at the lower altitude has the right of way, but that usually assumes they are both on the same runway.

 

For opposite directions, I would personally give priority to whoever was in the pattern first.  That is, as I approach the field I would listen to CTAF and use whatever runway they were using.

 

If I were at my field and using the preferred runway, and I heard someone check in wanting to use the other runway in calm conditions, I might gently inform them about the designated calm runway.  They may not be aware of it.  Something like "Cessna 123, welcome to Page, the designated calm runway is runway XX."

 

See and avoid.  I've been in the pattern at CLS with a C150 doing patterns and landings with a tailwind while not making any calls.  Probably on the wrong frequency.

 

Bob

[Cruiser]

True, A/FD data is advisory, but in the case of an enforcement action by the FAA it could be used against you combined with other "violations"

 

the purpose is to provide additional information not provided from other sources. 

[cliffy]

There is also the caveat of "obtaining ALL information available for the proposed flight" by FAR.

I'm just wondering who would be found at fault (I know I'm trying to untie the Gordian Knot here) if two planes met at the intersection and one was on the "preferred" runway and one wasn't.

We have actually had 6 lined up for takeoff with another (7) just airborne on 33 when a tour operator called base to final for 15 and all wisely waited while he stated he had the right of way because he was landing.

I think there is something about using the "established pattern".

[rbp]

http://www.risingup.com/fars/info/part91-113-FAR.shtml

 

91.113:
 

 

(g) Landing. Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach. When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft.

 

 

The way I read this, the priority for using the runway, when there's a potential conflict, is as follows:

 

1. aircraft on final (but not *long* final)

2. aircraft at or below pattern altitude, on base or downwind (in that order)

3. aircraft on long final (outside the terminal area)

4. aircraft on the surface

 

Furthermore, helis should operate out of the flow of fixed-wing traffic, and airplanes (of any size and anywhere in the terminal area), must give way to towplanes and gliders (see 91.113(a))

[mooniac15u]

There is also the caveat of "obtaining ALL information available for the proposed flight" by FAR.

I'm just wondering who would be found at fault (I know I'm trying to untie the Gordian Knot here) if two planes met at the intersection and one was on the "preferred" runway and one wasn't.

We have actually had 6 lined up for takeoff with another (7) just airborne on 33 when a tour operator called base to final for 15 and all wisely waited while he stated he had the right of way because he was landing.

I think there is something about using the "established pattern".

Have you talked to the owner or chief pilot at the tour company? They might not approve of this behaviour either.

[midlifeflyer]

There is also the caveat of "obtaining ALL information available for the proposed flight" by FAR.

I'm just wondering who would be found at fault (I know I'm trying to untie the Gordian Knot here) if two planes met at the intersection and one was on the "preferred" runway and one wasn't.

 

No easy answer. The "preferential runway" is based on noise abatement. My guess is that other factors will be far more important.

[cliffy]

At this airport town is west of the runway but adjacent to it. Nothing on final either 33 or 15.

25 designated "for strong west winds only" for noise abatement over city and its short. No one operates on 7. CP for another company talked to the company landing the opposite way.

Gotta keep our eyes open.

[Rhumbline]

I'm curious as to which runway is the designated calm wind runway at Page as I fly there frequently for lunch (I love the Ranch House Grille's southwest country fried steak with the whole platter swimming in green chili!)?  GWS & LAM are a couple of places that come immediately to mind which have specific remarks for noise abatement or obstacle avoidance but I've never noted anything about it in my AF/D for PGA other than the remarks for the crosswind runway. 

 

The right-of-way stuff already cited not withstanding, I've certainly been guilty of pressing the most expeditious pattern in the interest of maintaining a schedule when flying into uncontrolled airports and more often than not the "little guys" would yield.  Not saying it's right but that was the reality of it and it appears little has changed.  Now that I'm the "little guy" again, I just listen carefully, keep my eyes peeled, stay out of the way of the "big guys" and go with the flow.