NZ to trial ‘Optimum Arrivals’ into Auckland

[ZK-TJL]

Hi Guys

Have a read of this.

NZ to trial "Optimum Arrivals' into Auckland

[ZK-Brock]

Ah yes I read about this somewhere, and also about the continuous descent profiles...the basic idea I believe is that on descent, there is no point for it to have to stop it's descent and maintain altitude, as this uses unnecessary fuel.

How will ATC handle this? Will the put out a "descent unrestricted" call at their top of descent?

[Zöltuger]

How will ATC handle this? Will the put out a "descent unrestricted" call at their top of descent?

from what I read in the Herald this morning, the descents are pre arranged before the aircraft starts its initial descent
I think it's a great idea, but as the article states, you won't be able to do it when it's more than a little busy. and it's only 747's too.

[ZK-Brock]

How will ATC handle this? Will the put out a "descent unrestricted" call at their top of descent?

from what I read in the Herald this morning, the decents are pre arranged before the aircraft starts its initial decent
I think it's a great idea, but as the article states, you won't be able to do it when it's more than a little busy. and it's only 747's too.

So the aircraft will report when they are top of descent, or just go for it? The 2nd option could cause a collision as other aircraft wouldn't know where the descending aircraft are.

[ranm]

I read a book by Ned Wilson, a retired 747 Pan Am captain, called "For pilots' eyes only : confessions of a Pan Am veteran", in which he describes how they used to glide 747's more then 17 years ago. It was almost a competition, whether one oculd make it to the runway with minimum power and attitude changes.

in any case, it is very intersting reading, following Ned Wilson through his aviation career.

This book is available at the Wellington public library.

Ran

[ardypilot]

So these 747's will be gliding down from 30 odd thousand feet with no engines? Wow- that sure is gonna make a difference in noise level around the Manukau area, and it would be really weird to be planespotting at NZAA and see a giant aircraft gliding past silently!

[Charl]

You'd still hear them because even at flight idle those fans move a lot of air.
I get them overhead at 5,000ft for NZAA 05 and you can hear the difference between an idler and someone who's been told to adjust altitude by those sadistic tower people

[towerguy]

sorry charl you just showed how little you really know about ATC in particular - Us sadistic Tower people ain't talking to ANY aircraft at 5000ft - thats what radar controllers are for!

[Bingobob]

So how does Space Junk fit into the Equation

[Charl]

sorry charl you just showed how little you really know about ATC in particular - Us sadistic Tower people ain't talking to ANY aircraft at 5000ft - thats what radar controllers are for!

Oops I stand corrected and glad you're still tuned in!
And you're right I know nothing about ATC but am willing to hear it from you.

[Charl]

So how does Space Junk fit into the Equation

You just give 'em a choice and then it's their own fault, of course!

[Zöltuger]

So these 747's will be gliding down from 30 odd thousand feet with no engines? Wow- that sure is gonna make a difference in noise level around the Manukau area, and it would be really weird to be planespotting at NZAA and see a giant aircraft gliding past silently!

They're not shutting down the engines, and they'll still use power once the flaps and gear are down. The only thing that changes, I presume, is the vectoring will be more direct, the aircraft will have priority and the descent will probably begin later.

[towerguy]

actually if it's done correctly there should be little or no vectoring - the aircraft will fly the preprogrammed FMS arrival following the preselected profile. its like being on the bottom of the drag curve but read money instead of drag. any deviation away from the optimum profile and up goes the drag/money. We got to see it in action from the fligt deck perspective the other day when I did my B744 simulator famil. ( photos in the next day or so, I have them and just need to shrink the file sizes and post them).

it is only ANZ and Qantas at this stage and only heavies.