A pilot's eye view of a British Airways approach into Funchal
Jun 9, 2015, 11:40 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
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Would be interested to know about FLR as well. If you look at the runway on Google maps you'll see what I mean. Very narrow with a massively displaced threshold in one direction.
Jun 9, 2015, 11:52 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2006
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Presumably some of the challenges also include:
1) There's nowhere to divert to if you don't like the weather
2) Take-off is heavy because flights need full tanks as it's a long way to anywhere (and it's a short runway even with the extension).
1) There's nowhere to divert to if you don't like the weather
2) Take-off is heavy because flights need full tanks as it's a long way to anywhere (and it's a short runway even with the extension).
Jun 10, 2015, 12:31 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
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FNC isn't quite as remote as you think. There's PXO literally on the next island which has an even longer runway. The Canaries are less than 300 miles away.
Jun 10, 2015, 12:36 am
#20
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We ended up there after two stomach churning, missed approaches into Funchal: a couple were so upset they insisted on terminating their journey on Porto Santo. No idea if they got back to Funchal by ferry, caught another flight or just stayed to enjoy the glorious beaches of Porto Santo.
Canary Island (300-ish miles) and Moroccan airports (400+ miles) are alternatives.
Jun 10, 2015, 1:27 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2011
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I do like these videos. Think i might have to set funchal as my home airport in fsx with rex real time weather on. Whheeee!
Jun 10, 2015, 1:34 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2005
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We were talking to a couple on the viewing terrace before we left Funchal. They were flying in two days before us but got diverted to Faro overnight as they couldn't land due to the high winds. Another plane returned to Gatwick apparently. They said that you get three attempts to land and failure to get down on the third means you get diverted.
It was a bit blowy when we landed there but got down first time. Strangely Funchal around the corner is very sheltered whereas Santa Cruz is very windy.
It was a bit blowy when we landed there but got down first time. Strangely Funchal around the corner is very sheltered whereas Santa Cruz is very windy.
Jun 10, 2015, 2:33 am
#23
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If you want a full cockpit video from start to finish for a route then try this website recommended to me by fransknorge:
http://www.jetstreamtv.net/flightdeck/
There are three videos done by KLM from AMS-LHR in a 737-800, and all the detail is in there. I am not sure whether BA have any appetite for doing something similar, but it certainly would be interesting to watch if they did.
http://www.jetstreamtv.net/flightdeck/
There are three videos done by KLM from AMS-LHR in a 737-800, and all the detail is in there. I am not sure whether BA have any appetite for doing something similar, but it certainly would be interesting to watch if they did.
Jun 10, 2015, 2:52 am
#24
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I have copied part of the approach page for a visual approach to 05 below, as you can see if you follow the line of teh runway backwards you soon encouter high terrain hence the turning approach over the bay.
VOR VISUAL APPROACH Rwy 05
And just in case you don't get the message, in the notes:
Also interesting are all the requirements to pilot a flight in to FNC:
VOR VISUAL APPROACH Rwy 05
And just in case you don't get the message, in the notes:
Due to high terrain CAUTION should be exercised not flying left of approach light path
Airport Briefing notes:
2. CREW REQUIREMENTS
a) Initial experience
To operate at Madeira airport, the Pilot-in-Command must have a minimum of 200 flying hours as captain on the concerned type of aircraft, before completing the initial training.
b) Recent experience
To operate at Madeira airport, the Pilot-in-Command must have performed there, on the last 6 months:
- one landing and take-off or,
- a flight simulator training comprising a landing and take-off on each runway, on a simulated adverse weather condition or,
- a line training flight to Madeira airport, comprising a landing and take-off,
assisted by a qualified instructor occupying the right-hand seat.
3. MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
In order to operate at Madeira airport, the operator must establish and accomplish beforehand a training program concerning the type of aircraft to be used. This training, if performed on local flights, must include at least, landings and take-offs by day and night in both directions, emphasizing:
- the take-off flight path to runway 23;
- the take-off flight path to runway 05;
- the balked landing (go-around initiated in landing configuration from very low
height) on both directions;
- the let-down and approach to both runways;
- the operational effect on runway slope and dimensions and associated safety margins.
If the training is to be performed in a flight simulator, the following procedures must be included in the training program, for each runway:
a) Take-off with engine failure after V1;
b) Relight after engine failure;
c) VOR approach;
d) Balked landing and go-around;
e) Visual approach;
f) Landing;
g) Weather conditions: Winds - the maximums as indicated in Operating Procedures and Limitations paragraph 1.b. & 1.c. (see 10-6A & 10-6B), severe turbulence. Windshear and up and downdrafts must be included in the different approaches;
h) One landing at night must be executed for each runway.
6. TRAINING PROGRAM
The training program referred in paragraph 3 will have to be approved by INAC
(Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority).
2. CREW REQUIREMENTS
a) Initial experience
To operate at Madeira airport, the Pilot-in-Command must have a minimum of 200 flying hours as captain on the concerned type of aircraft, before completing the initial training.
b) Recent experience
To operate at Madeira airport, the Pilot-in-Command must have performed there, on the last 6 months:
- one landing and take-off or,
- a flight simulator training comprising a landing and take-off on each runway, on a simulated adverse weather condition or,
- a line training flight to Madeira airport, comprising a landing and take-off,
assisted by a qualified instructor occupying the right-hand seat.
3. MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
In order to operate at Madeira airport, the operator must establish and accomplish beforehand a training program concerning the type of aircraft to be used. This training, if performed on local flights, must include at least, landings and take-offs by day and night in both directions, emphasizing:
- the take-off flight path to runway 23;
- the take-off flight path to runway 05;
- the balked landing (go-around initiated in landing configuration from very low
height) on both directions;
- the let-down and approach to both runways;
- the operational effect on runway slope and dimensions and associated safety margins.
If the training is to be performed in a flight simulator, the following procedures must be included in the training program, for each runway:
a) Take-off with engine failure after V1;
b) Relight after engine failure;
c) VOR approach;
d) Balked landing and go-around;
e) Visual approach;
f) Landing;
g) Weather conditions: Winds - the maximums as indicated in Operating Procedures and Limitations paragraph 1.b. & 1.c. (see 10-6A & 10-6B), severe turbulence. Windshear and up and downdrafts must be included in the different approaches;
h) One landing at night must be executed for each runway.
6. TRAINING PROGRAM
The training program referred in paragraph 3 will have to be approved by INAC
(Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority).
Jun 10, 2015, 1:06 pm
#26
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Karfa's chart demonstrates the turn required for landing from the south-west. In bad weather it's a bouncy passenger-alarming pivot on a wing-tip over choppy seas. However, TAP's accident was a landing from the north-east: less-complicated, but night-time, bad weather, tired crew, short runway. Last attempt before the planned diversion to Las Palmas ..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TAP_Portugal_Flight_425