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A380 spacing requirements

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by saleenfan, Nov 14, 2008.

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  1. saleenfan

    saleenfan Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2006
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    #1 saleenfan, Nov 14, 2008
    A buddy of mine who is an Air Traffic controller for portland tracon and I were talking on the phone today and he said they just got the spacing requirements for the A380 in and I couldnt belive it for a large behind the A380 its 8miles!!!!. I thought this plane was supposed to reduce congestion but if they have to space that much its going to suck.

    Whats your take on the A380?
     
  2. future328driver

    future328driver Formula 3

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    Ken Thomas
    #2 future328driver, Nov 14, 2008
    A plane as large as the A380 will create huge wake turbulence when it is flying slow and dirty on final. 8 miles spacing is probably necessary to allow the wake vortices to dissipate so that smaller traffic behind does not find itself on its back.
     
  3. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 GuyIncognito, Nov 14, 2008
    what does that translate into in terms of seconds? during peak times at major airports isn't there a takeoff or landing every 45-60 seconds....I would think that would wreck the whole thing at JFK, ORD, ATL, etc.
     
  4. future328driver

    future328driver Formula 3

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    #4 future328driver, Nov 14, 2008
    Pilot reports in AvWeek on the A380 indicate about a 140kt approach speed (about 160 mph or 2.7 miles per minute). 8 mile separation would be about 3 minutes. Theoretically, take-offs and landing could be sequenced more quickly depending on runway configuration, wind conditions, etc. For example, if you have a Citation approaching a parallel runway to one that an A380 is landing on with a crosswind where the Citation is approaching the upwind parallel runway, ATC can probably sequence the Citation closer behind the A380 because the crosswind will push the wake vortices away from the approach path of the Citation. I believe that the maximum sequencing distance is assumed to occur on the same or parallel runways in no-wind conditions.
     
  5. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
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    #5 WilyB, Nov 14, 2008
    In August 2008 the ICAO issued revised approach separations of 4 nmi for Super (another A380), 6 nmi for Heavy, 7 nmi for medium/small and 8 nmi for light.
     
  6. saleenfan

    saleenfan Formula Junior

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    #6 saleenfan, Nov 15, 2008
    Hmmm you are correct..... WTF was my buddie talking about???

    Also in reference to the spacing effecting landing and take off times, this is in flight spacing so even if the plane behind an A380 is 3 minutes back that doesnt mean they cant do 2 take offs and then land the other planes so all in all it probably wonnt change too much.

    As a frame of Reference here in Grand Forks ND the control tower averages about 1100-1200 landings on a good weather day.... do the math and that comes out to 1 take off and landing every 1 minute 10 seconds however the tower is only open for about 18 hours a day so thats what the number are for so in actuality its one take off and landing every minute, Pretty good for a middle of nowhere airport! The vast majority of this of course is thanks to the University of North Dakotas training.
     
  7. Michiel

    Michiel Formula 3

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    #7 Michiel, Nov 15, 2008
    Our NOTAMS say that we have to have 3 minutes behind a A380 for take-off, Fokker 50 is medium, and even 4 minutes when we use a intersection for t/o.
     
  8. bjhunt1975

    bjhunt1975 Formula Junior

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    #8 bjhunt1975, Nov 16, 2008
    Dan, I had no idea you guys get that much traffic...wow...
     

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