Was anyone on DL1455 SFO -> SEA?

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Jan 27, 2019, 11:58 am

#16

ryw

Join Date: May 2016

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorak

As noted above, OP was talking about SFO-SEA, but since you mentioned it

we made such a right-hand-turn approach on DL5738 SEA-SFO on Monday, which I did take note of at the time for being unusual

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...202Z/KSEA/KSFO

Since you've brought up the SEA-SFO flight, I think that the right-hand approach over the Bay and the San Mateo Bridge is one of the normal approaches for flights from the north.

(The SFO website has a couple diagrams of the 2 setups for Bay Area arrival/departure routes which are really cool to look at!)

Jan 27, 2019, 12:17 pm

#17

skywardhunter

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyerWx

I don't want to completely discount your concern, but it is possible this was a "normal" routing maneuver the pilot did. Looking at flightaware (https://uk.flightaware.com/live/flig...404Z/KSFO/KSEA), while passing through 3,000ft, the aircraft made a pretty tight right turn. I can only imagine the bank angle needed to turn a plane 90 degrees in 30 seconds.

I have had some approaches into airport where pilots make tight turns, and inevitably people gasp, but it looks like your pilot may have been more "deliberate" with their actions

Actually 90 degrees in 30 seconds is the exact definition of a "standard rate" turn, this is the turn speed expected of all aircraft operating in Instrument Flight Rules (more properly defined as 360 degrees in 2 minutes). An aproximation some pilots might use is 10% of airspeed + 5, so at an airspeed of 220 knots (typically found in the earlier stages of an instrument approach, down to around 170 on the final stages, before final approach speed) that would be 22+5 = 27 degrees of bank. This is a high but not unusual angle of bank for a commercial aircraft. Nearer final approach at say 170 knots it would be 22 degrees of bank which is noticable but less significant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_rate_turn

Jan 27, 2019, 12:18 pm

#18

Zorak

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SJC ORD LDR

Oops. A right turn on approach from SFO to SEA is the normal pattern. Making that final turn just south of Discovery Park is a normal occurrence. There is nothing remarkable about this flight at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryw

Since you've brought up the SEA-SFO flight, I think that the right-hand approach over the Bay and the San Mateo Bridge is one of the normal approaches for flights from the north.

(The SFO website has a couple diagrams of the 2 setups for Bay Area arrival/departure routes which are really cool to look at!)

Hmm, I've done that route a bunch of times and while I haven't kept track I feel like we usually go down the peninsula and turn left. But I do see the right turn approach on the graphic

Jan 27, 2019, 12:29 pm

#19

SJC ORD LDR

Join Date: Aug 2006

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ryw

Since you've brought up the SEA-SFO flight, I think that the right-hand approach over the Bay and the San Mateo Bridge is one of the normal approaches for flights from the north.

(The SFO website has a couple diagrams of the 2 setups for Bay Area arrival/departure routes which are really cool to look at!)

I have these on paper in my disclosures section for my home. I live a several blocks from being below the typical landing pattern for SJC, so aircraft noise must be disclosed to a potential home buyer. They say that the plan you show is applicable 85% of the time and the reverse about 15% of the time.

When I do fly into SFO from the north, it's seems always to be a 180 degree left hand turn before lining up with the runway.