I do not plan to get into anything at length, but will respond here...
Originally Posted by
IADCAflyer
33 is used basically every day of the week when north departures are in effect. CR7s and E170s/E175s are extremely common on that runway and during the period of DCA refurbishment of the runway complex, 33 was (after about 11 pm) the only runway that was open for use - for everything up to and including 737-800.
You are still proving the general point that it is a variable that comes and goes, and which is not always present. Therefore, removing that variable at the most dangerous times could reduce risk. This is not a vehement personal position; it is just a statement of fact that I believe follows from first principles in a risk mitigation context.
Originally Posted by
IADCAflyer
Any heli squadron pilot at Fort Belvoir, Andrews, JBAB or even Quantico is quite familiar with the heli routes in and around the Potomac in DC.
Well, this was a "training" flight, they say, so I'm afraid this isn't definitionally true. Everyone has their first day on the job (unfortunately sometimes coinciding with their last).