Runway Changes at YVR
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Runway Changes at YVR
I've been mildly curious about this. Occasionally I'll see (usually but not always) a Westjet product overhead on final for 26R, but then about 5 miles back it will suddenly change over to 26L. Is this done for the convenience of the airline who has most of their gates on the south side of the airport, or for ATC's convenience, or both?
Cheers,
OTN
Cheers,
OTN
Re: Runway Changes at YVR
Mostly the airlines favour but possibly Vancouver Tower's. Generally YVR uses the south runway for departures and the north runway for arrivals. If there is nobody waiting to depart the south runway the tower controller will usually offer up the south side if he thinks an arriving aircraft will prefer it (anybody using the south side of the airport). They've also offered up 12 to me while on approach for 08L, that's lot's of fun.
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Re: Runway Changes at YVR
Can someone shed some light on the etiquette of requesting the south runway? Obviously it has operational advantages for the airline as mentioned (fuel burn, taxi times, etc). I understand that it is given when there is no conflicting departing traffic, I've also been told that the south controller has to offer it, its not up to the north controller to ask for it. If this is true I can understand that they may get fed up with hearing a request for something they can't do. However after a particularly condesending remark from a tower contrroller, who may or may not have watched Pushing Tin the night before, I'm just curious if there is a secret code thats to be used. Or should we just avoid the request all together? It's hard to understand when there is not a single aircraft lined up for departure why we cant have the sidestep.
Re: Runway Changes at YVR
Oh, to have parallel runways..... <sigh>. The options, the options, my head hurts
just imagining the possibilities. Friggin' Calgary......

Turn right/left heading XXX, vectors for the hell of it.
Re: Runway Changes at YVR
Like the Polish Parallels, on approach for 28 and the south field guys getting offered 25.
I was on a flight into Seatac and had the ATC radio on the headphones, and every single arrival asked for the left runway. The controller must be saying some fine things off the air
I was on a flight into Seatac and had the ATC radio on the headphones, and every single arrival asked for the left runway. The controller must be saying some fine things off the air
Re: Runway Changes at YVR
Arrival controllers and tower controllers know where the aircraft want to be. If you are not being offered the south runway, there is probably a reason.
Re: Runway Changes at YVR
To whoever made the "get out of your speedy way" to the impatient BA guys, you rock! that was awesome!