How much wind can an ERJ135 take?
Sep 2, 2010, 4:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA PLT AA 1MM
Posts: 727
How much wind can an ERJ135 take?
We're scheduled to fly stl-jfk-mxp on Saturday. I know that no one can tell me what will happen on Saturday weatherwise or AAwise but I hope that maybe some of you folks with a lot more knowledge and experience can educate me a bit about these little jets that we are now having to take out of STL.
The forecast at present for JFK is for wind gusts of 45 mph on Saturday. I need to anticipate how likely it is that our flight will be cancelled if that forecast holds and create plans B, C, D, etc. I'd really appreciate information about what kinds of weather these little guys can and can't take.
Thanks much.
The forecast at present for JFK is for wind gusts of 45 mph on Saturday. I need to anticipate how likely it is that our flight will be cancelled if that forecast holds and create plans B, C, D, etc. I'd really appreciate information about what kinds of weather these little guys can and can't take.
Thanks much.
Sep 2, 2010, 5:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Surf City, USA
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Posts: 333
I need a little more data: the direction of the wind. If the 45 kt wind is aligned with the runway, it does not matter. Just a little more power is needed to descend.
However, if the wind is blowing across the runway, then either other runways are used or your flight will be cancelled or diverted.
However, if the wind is blowing across the runway, then either other runways are used or your flight will be cancelled or diverted.
Sep 2, 2010, 5:10 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 397
I need a little more data: the direction of the wind. If the 45 kt wind is aligned with the runway, it does not matter. Just a little more power is needed to descend.
However, if the wind is blowing across the runway, then either other runways are used or your flight will be cancelled or diverted.
However, if the wind is blowing across the runway, then either other runways are used or your flight will be cancelled or diverted.
Sep 2, 2010, 5:23 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2010
Location: STL
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Posts: 194
Just my 2 cents... JFK quite typically is a disaster when any weather hits. I think you have a good shot at significant delays even if your flight does not get canceled.
If it were me, I'd look to Plan B. Saturday still falls under the AA hurricane travel advisory, so you can make changes to your flights without penalty. I'd consider changing to STL-ORD/DFW-LHR-MXP just to avoid the mess completely. YMMV
If it were me, I'd look to Plan B. Saturday still falls under the AA hurricane travel advisory, so you can make changes to your flights without penalty. I'd consider changing to STL-ORD/DFW-LHR-MXP just to avoid the mess completely. YMMV
Sep 2, 2010, 5:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
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Posts: 4,601
The ERJ isn't any different operationally than any other plane... the issue is JFK. In good times JFK is marginal... in bad times JFK borders on nightmare.
Sep 2, 2010, 5:35 pm
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Spot on. Bwana Google reveals "The EMB-145 has a max demonstrated crosswind component of 30 knots". (N.B. In dry runway conditions.)
Of course, knowing that means nothing, unless one knows winds velocity and direction... at the time of landing.
Of course, knowing that means nothing, unless one knows winds velocity and direction... at the time of landing.
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 2, 2010 at 10:47 pm Reason: edit / add note
Sep 2, 2010, 5:58 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA PLT AA 1MM
Posts: 727
OK, the takeaway message so far is that we wouldn't be any better off with a larger aircraft into LGA, transferring to JFK. We'd be better off with another set of flights entirely--which I had almost chosen when booking way back when (when Earl was just a name in a list of hurricane names to be used this season) but there were those good TATL seats and a good connection . . .darn it.
Thanks. Sigh.
Thanks. Sigh.
Sep 2, 2010, 6:09 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
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Very possibly. But YMMV. According to Wunderground, it looks like the highest winds will be from 3-9 PM, again YMMV as to the effects from the weather. What you do all depends on your risk tolerance and the uncomfortable feeling that gives you versus the uncomfortable feeling the new seats might give you.
Again, YMMV, but Earl's forecast seems to be further East than when I checked this afternoon. It may miss Long Island altogether save some rain and low gusts.
Sep 2, 2010, 6:36 pm
#9
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Thanks, emma dog. It is looking somewhat better on a handful of weather sites. ("Obsessed" would describe my interest in the weather today and, I'm sure, tomorrow.) We'll just wait and see. Not many good options for changing at this point anyway. I was especially interested (and surprised) to find out that we're not much worse off in the little jet.
Sep 2, 2010, 6:45 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Thanks, emma dog. It is looking somewhat better on a handful of weather sites. ("Obsessed" would describe my interest in the weather today and, I'm sure, tomorrow.) We'll just wait and see. Not many good options for changing at this point anyway. I was especially interested (and surprised) to find out that we're not much worse off in the little jet.
M80 will still land with about 35kts .. but as everyone said - direction of the wind is of HUGE importance...IMHO - you have better chance with LGA on a bigger plane..
Sep 2, 2010, 6:53 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
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Every site I'm google-ing at the present time says 30 kts is the max regardless of the airport.
Sep 2, 2010, 7:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 80
The above quoted max demonstrated crosswind for the EMJ is correct. FWI, AA shuts down all operations when the surface winds exceed 50 knots. AA and Eagle.
Sep 2, 2010, 8:45 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LTP, Bonvoy Titanium; AA CK before I retired
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You might find http://www.nlr.nl/id~5114/lang~en.pdf helpful.
Sep 2, 2010, 10:41 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Adelaide, Australia
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What about wind inside the plane, how much of that can us little guys take!!
Sep 3, 2010, 8:35 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Do you have a source? In my flying experiences, there's a manufacturer's maximum demonstrated crosswind capability and then there's what the airline's manuals allow. AFAIK, there is a single number for the airline irrespective of the airport.
Every site I'm google-ing at the present time says 30 kts is the max regardless of the airport.
Every site I'm google-ing at the present time says 30 kts is the max regardless of the airport.