Did BA112 just beat trans-atlantic speed record?
Feb 10, 2020, 10:50 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2017
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The quota is a yearly figure so day-to-day variations make little difference. There is a split between winter and summer seasons but up to 10% of any of the quota each season can be carried through to the following season if it's unused. There's also the issue of 'Quota Count' which is based on noise level so, for instance, one 747 is the equivalent of (I think) eight A319s. Although the vast majority of the LHR night flights are the big un's, the same principle is used at Gatwick and Stansted. I don't know if it's still the case but a couple of years ago LHR and LGW were well below their QC limits, Stansted was borderline.
Feb 10, 2020, 11:32 am
#32
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There is this article in the Daily Telegraph online which I thought was interesting. I don't think it is on the paywall.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/t...-it-dangerous/
There is also a Q and A about turbulence.
Here is an extract, with one passenger's perspective:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/t...-it-dangerous/
There is also a Q and A about turbulence.
Here is an extract, with one passenger's perspective:
Originally Posted by The Daily Telegraph
Travel writer Julia Buckley was onboard BA Flight 212 from Boston to London, which though not the record breaking flight, complated a six and a half hour flight in under five hours. "It was the first flight I've ever been on that had the seatbelt sign on the whole way through," she said. "The pilot mentioned it in his address before take off, and warned that it would be a bumpy ride, but a quick one.
"It was actually much better than I expected - it was a little bumpy but nothing too alarming; milder than you would expect with the seatbelt sign on but more prolonged. There were only a couple of pockets when it got to moderate turbulence. The landing itself was quite brutal - we came down heavy and it felt like we took much longer than usual to slow down.
"I would say that the crew were absolutely amazing. I had mentioned to 'my' member of cabin crew on boarding that I was a bad flyer and she (Susan) was absolutely incredible. The cabin was half full and she offered to sit with me if I got nervous, she kept checking on me during the flight, and before take off she even asked one of the pilots to come and speak to me. He sat down with me, showed me the route map and the winds we'd be going through, and told me what to expect. Then a couple of people across the aisle asked him questions about what we were in for as well. We were all geared up to be terrified but they did a brilliant job of explaining everything and keeping us calm."
"It was actually much better than I expected - it was a little bumpy but nothing too alarming; milder than you would expect with the seatbelt sign on but more prolonged. There were only a couple of pockets when it got to moderate turbulence. The landing itself was quite brutal - we came down heavy and it felt like we took much longer than usual to slow down.
"I would say that the crew were absolutely amazing. I had mentioned to 'my' member of cabin crew on boarding that I was a bad flyer and she (Susan) was absolutely incredible. The cabin was half full and she offered to sit with me if I got nervous, she kept checking on me during the flight, and before take off she even asked one of the pilots to come and speak to me. He sat down with me, showed me the route map and the winds we'd be going through, and told me what to expect. Then a couple of people across the aisle asked him questions about what we were in for as well. We were all geared up to be terrified but they did a brilliant job of explaining everything and keeping us calm."
Feb 10, 2020, 1:50 pm
#33
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Feb 10, 2020, 2:47 pm
#35
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But at least they didn’t have to hold at all. Looks like they made a straight 180 to line up for 27R. Interestingly, when Concorde did the record she landed straight in downwind against the normal traffic flow. If BA112 had done that they could have shaved another 10 minutes off. Not an option in that wind I imagine!
Feb 11, 2020, 12:06 pm
#37
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 552
Storm Ciara: supersonic jumbo JFK-LHR 1327km/h
An absolute record for the jumbo: 4:56 hours for JFK-LHR with peak speed 1327km/h which is just over the sound barrier (?).
And two VA 350-1000s flew the same route in only one minute longer.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/02...ntic-crossing/
A few years ago I flew EK448 DXB-AKL with a very southerly route (completely south of Australia), when we were south of Tasmania the plane (A380) flew 1200km/h, also helped by the jet stream. Despite the detour (15000km instead of 14200km flown), it made the scheduled flying time of 15:30.
And two VA 350-1000s flew the same route in only one minute longer.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/02...ntic-crossing/
A few years ago I flew EK448 DXB-AKL with a very southerly route (completely south of Australia), when we were south of Tasmania the plane (A380) flew 1200km/h, also helped by the jet stream. Despite the detour (15000km instead of 14200km flown), it made the scheduled flying time of 15:30.
Feb 11, 2020, 12:08 pm
#38
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Not supersonic as that is the ground speed not the speed in the air (indicated air speed) if that makes sense to you. It was probably at an indicated speed of Mach 0.85 or so.
Feb 11, 2020, 7:30 pm
#42
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I'm a pilot, so familiar with the TAS/IAS/GS and the distinction between those is quite clear to me. I'm just impressed that this record is showing up on my Alexa screen. (Disclaimer: I work for Amazon.)
Feb 12, 2020, 12:07 am
#43
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Article on CNN at https://edition.cnn.com/travel/artic...gbr/index.html that suggests it was a record
Feb 12, 2020, 12:41 pm
#45
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00:00 Take off
00:30 pre dinner drinks / apéritif
01:00 starters
01:45 mains
02:15 dessert
02:30 cheese
02:45 digestif
03:00 chocolates
03:15 espresso
03:30 smoothie
03:45 breakfast starter
04:00 breakfast mains
04:29 tea
04:30 "cabin crew that's 20 minutes to landing".