A320 vs high winds?

[C8PPO]

Due to fly back into LHR this evening by A320, and I gather there are forecasts of 50-60mph winds in the south east later today?

What's the cutoff point where flights etc will be cancelled due high winds? I wanna come home!!

[anonymous-user]

The limits are crosswind rather than simply full wind and vary between operators, my understanding is airbus themselves say they have demonstrated landings in 38kts crosswinds. The airlines own restrictions may also possibly be more restrictive if it is wet.

If it is really windy (over 60 kts) you can sometimes get restrictions on actually being able to open the doors or for the handling agent or ground crew to be able to operate equipment like the steps and loading gear.

This evening the wind at Heathrow is forecast to be 180/18 and at times 190/22 gusting to 35kts. So the wind is mainly straight across the east west runway and at times a maximum of 35 kts in the wet.

In summary, I'd expect you'll get in fine but it might be a bit bumpy.

Edited by el stovey on Friday 13th November 09:00

[D1GGY]

Most days there is a 50 knot (60mph) wind blowing here (Wellington NZ), all that changes is the direction!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA7qkUeltNI&fea...

you should be OK.

[C8PPO]

Thanks v much - bumpy is fine, I just don't fancy a night in an airport hotel and missing out on collecting my new bike tomorrow morning!

[anonymous-user]

Here's an airbus landing during crosswinds in the wet, in weather much like you will be experiencing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueJeC2pxxbM

[Chris71]

Jesus. I thought I'd had a few bumpy landings (from the 'comfort' of the passenger seats I hasten to add) but this video is quite an eye opener:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X_7Xt2ga-s&NR=...

Still, how many could pull that off in the Hudson!

[mackie1]

el stovey said:

Here's an airbus landing during crosswinds in the wet, in weather much like you will be experiencing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueJeC2pxxbM

Nice of you to put the OP at ease!

[C8PPO]

mackie1 said:

el stovey said:

Here's an airbus landing during crosswinds in the wet, in weather much like you will be experiencing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueJeC2pxxbM

Nice of you to put the OP at ease!

The OP is behind a corporate proxy which blocks Youtube

Will be safely landed and home before I can view that!

[C8PPO]

Landing was fine, bumpy enough to make the kid across the aisle from me spew everywhere and to provoke a ridiculous round of applause once we touched (fairly heavily) down. Off to watch the vid now!

[eharding]

C8PPO said:

Landing was fine, bumpy enough to make the kid across the aisle from me spew everywhere and to provoke a ridiculous round of applause once we touched (fairly heavily) down. Off to watch the vid now!

Which airline / flight number? - I know a few Heathrow-based Airbus drivers - and there is at least one who frequents this forum - you never know, your flight may have been PH-powered.

[C8PPO]

CSA/Czech Air, OK0652 PRG-LHR.

[DHA]

Runway contamination (water in this case) also reduces crosswind limits. Have sat in the tower at LHR on occasion with nothing able to depart due to crosswind+rain meaning most airlines have to wait. Airbuses are generally poorer in crosswind than a similar sized Boeing in my experience. A340s struggle but 747s just seem to fly through it.

[zac510]

I live underneath the Heathrow flight path and some of the planes coming in today looked a bit like the one in that video!

[thatone1967]

Chris71 said:

Jesus. I thought I'd had a few bumpy landings (from the 'comfort' of the passenger seats I hasten to add) but this video is quite an eye opener:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X_7Xt2ga-s&NR=...

Still, how many could pull that off in the Hudson!

Holy st... the last one, think that was when the wing actually touch the ground before the pilot initiated a g/a... scary stuff...

[JW911]

eharding said:

C8PPO said:

Landing was fine, bumpy enough to make the kid across the aisle from me spew everywhere and to provoke a ridiculous round of applause once we touched (fairly heavily) down. Off to watch the vid now!

Which airline / flight number? - I know a few Heathrow-based Airbus drivers - and there is at least one who frequents this forum - you never know, your flight may have been PH-powered.

Landed there myself around 4pm. It was "sporty", that's for sure but by the time we got back (4pm ish) it had eased a bit. Top of my head, the wind was around 30 gusting 39 ish knots. Whatever it was, it was on the co-pilot's maximum limit so I let him do it for experience. He did a pretty good job as well and we could use the aeroplane again afterwards.

We'd both rather have been in a Boeing though.

Edited 'cos I read the whole thread and don't work for Czech Airlines.

Edited by JW911 on Sunday 15th November 22:52

[eharding]

JW911 said:

....and don't work for Czech Airlines.

Indeed. You might want to brush up on the Spanish though.

"Mi Porsche está llena de anguilas"

"Mi Yak-52 está lleno de envoltorios de Ginsters"

(Sorry about that - the "envoltorios de Ginsters" were my fault - got peckish this afternoon)

[JW911]

The only Spanish I learned was in South America. I have two phrases, both of which I use regularly:

"Dos cerveza. Mi amigo a pagar." (Two beers. My friend will pay)

"Mi llama esta incendia." (My llama is on fire)

Edited by JW911 on Monday 16th November 09:25

[EK993]

I landed at 3pm on Saturday at Heathrow on a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong. I can categorically say that it was the worst landing I have had in my life, and I have done a lot of flying with some pretty rough turbulence. Lots of people throwing up on the approach. Plane was losing / gaining altitude rapidly as the wind gusted. Am sure from the pilots seat he had it all under control, however there were a couple of moments I thought it was all over...