Open V Configuration at TLV
 

When the upgrade of the runways at TLV was completed a while ago the Civil Aviation Authority announced that the airport will start operating in an "Open V" configuration, namely landings on RWY 21 and take-offs on RWY 26. My impression is that this was never implemented and most landings take place on RWY 12/30 whereas take-offs are from either RWY 26 (hence "Closed V") or RWY 30. The only time landing on RWY 21 was the rule was during the war in Gaza in the summer of 2014 (and then, if I remember correctly, take-offs were on RWY 08).

The Open V configuration is much safer so I wonder what is going on. Any idea?

I was asking me the same question when I was in Israel last month...

I am glad that it is still possible to see planes above Tel Aviv on final though 😀

The open V is the published preferred mode of operation in the AIP -
"Preferential runway system
Arrivals
1) Runway 12 is the preferred runway assigned for
landing aircraft, provided the tailwind component
does not exceed 10 kt when runway is dry or 5 kt
when runway is wet.
2) During the following hours (local time) Runway
30 is the preferred runway assigned for landing,
using the RNAV (GNSS) approach:
Between 23:00 – 01:00 (summer and winter) &
05:30 – 07:00 (winter season) or 05:00-07:00
(summer season).
Seasons are according to IATA definitions.
Departures
Runway 26 is the preferred runway assigned to departing
aircraft, provided the tailwind component does not exceed 5
KT."

Source : http://en.caa.gov.il/index.php?optio...d=2222&Itemid=

Interesting read; thank you. Actually it confirms what I meant - the Open V is the preferred set up yet the airport does not seem to operate most of the time in this configuration. I think it might relate to objections from near by towns in the (new) approach pattern of RWY 21.

Slightly OT but in the next two weeks only RWY 21 will be operative (the other two are going through some sort of maintenance). It's going to get busy since all aircrafts will use the same RWY for landings and departures. While landings on 21 are the norm (usually in the afternoon hours) departures on 21 are very rare; I don't recall ever doing that. I might get a chance; not sure yet.

Does one notice any difference when departing from 21? a better view or something?

Well, people driving on road #1 will have a very nice view because the RWY goes almost all the way to the road. Here's a photo of the airfield for clarification :)

Actually, there was a section in the State Ombudsman's report this week stating that BGN is not operating efficiently, mentioning the open V.

Reasons open V is not being used are a combination of Airport Authority (govt entity) not having completed planning approval for the routes (even though they are published in aviation docs) and noise approval problems and just basic incompetence.

Interesting; where did you see it?

Several places, here is one: (Hebrew)
http://www.globes.co.il/news/article...did=1001158423

Thanks; here is the link to the official report.

so typical...

I have been hearing a lot more evening takeoffs flying northbound over Raanana over the last few days. I'm guessing they are either taking off on 03 or 08 and turning North.

I doubt that there are departures (and even more so arrivals) on 03 and 08 is closed anyway. I think that what you hear are the aircrafts on approach to 21 that do fly somewhat north of Ra'anana. You could check Flightradar24 and see the pattern.

EDIT - Forgot another piece of information. Arrivals from the south (ETH, LY flights from BKK etc.) and from the east (mostly RJ) fly over TLV and then over circle on the vicinity of Ra'anana and join the approach to 21.