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Normal Airport runway ops

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 5:50 pm
by FDXDave
So as always, I'm learning something new every day.
Today I learned that SLC lands South unless there is a 10 KT tail wind.
This is definitely useful when planning your arrival ahead of time.
I can use the TAF and guesstimate.
I wish PE had an actual ATIS. That is the only downside...
Xplane ATIS may not match what what the normal ops are.
and the 3rd party website http://myflightroute.com/ ATIS for SLC was wrong too.

The controller was very helpful and explained to me that SL lands South unless the winds pick up. But how do Pilots
in the real world know what would be the normal landing direction?

I have searched and can not find anything on Skyvector or even a google search that would tell me this information.

So I'm thinking instead of using ATIS to plan, I should use the TAF and have knowledge of an AP's SOP's...

Me thinking out loud. lol.

Thanks for any feedback on this subject.

Dave.

Re: Normal Airport runway ops

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 6:32 pm
by Ryan B
Just ask the controller. That's what some pilots do in real life

You could even do it hundreds of miles away

Re: Normal Airport runway ops

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 6:44 pm
by Keith Smith
MFR will generally be right. A controller left that airport in manual mode instead of automatic and it was left in north ops unintentionally.

Re: Normal Airport runway ops

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 7:14 pm
by Kevin_atc
Ryan B wrote:Just ask the controller. That's what some pilots do in real life

You could even do it hundreds of miles away
On PE, that might work (depending on how realistic the controller is going to pretend to be) but I would say that’s hit or miss in the real world depending on which controller you ask. If the controller being asked about a flow doesn’t deal with the descent/arrival phase of flight for the airport, they likely won’t have a clue about the flow. In my experience, the pilots will brief/program the flow before they depart based on what that they expect the destination flow will be (referencing a TAF or just the current conditions) and then they will change it if necessary while enroute.

Re: Normal Airport runway ops

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:59 pm
by FDXDave
Well darn. I had no idea your controllers were the ones manning the MFR ATIS.
It was busy, so an easy oversite. But that is pretty neat
To find out the ATIS is actually controlled / monitored.
And thanks everyone for your insite and real world knowledge.
But yes that's how i plan my flights. I use ATIS and the TAF to plan
Out the arrivals. When I'm about half way to my destination
I'm in the habit of checking the MFR ATIS again, because i know that
In a few minutes the controller will ask me, if i don't volunteer it first,
If i am up to date with the weather. So in the past if the winds had changed or
Got stronger then i would ask the CTR if he or she knew the direction.
So looks like I've been on the right track. And today since i had everything
Set up for a North landing, i asked if i could continue with that transition, which
He had no problem with. So def no complaint here. But i guess the answer
To my main question about normal ops is you will just learn as you go.
; )

See you airborn.
Dave.

Re: Normal Airport runway ops

Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 4:38 am
by FDXDave
I've been reading several forums on this topic from various online ATC networks to realworld conversations.
I was going to start a list of all the PE's controlled airports wind calm runway operations, and post my findings here to
Help everyone. But after reading, I've learned what might be a standard for the winter may not be the
Standard for the summer. Therefore the landing direction could change in 5 months.
So i guess I'll just ask ATC while in the air like you guys suggested...
As a side note, if any of you fly X-Plane 11, Flight Factor released a new
Airport navigator called Airport Visual System . It's really useful for those
Large airports and taxing. I've been using a free one but the one at the store
Looks pretty cool.
Merry Christmas.

Dave

Re: Normal Airport runway ops

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 8:52 pm
by Bob Denny
Is there a way to integrate MFR ATIS? Or do I need to use my phone/browser/BT headset while flying or ??