snakey landing at Udon airport

Post by **izzix** » June 15, 2008, 10:47 pm

just curious why they make so many twists and turns when coming in to land instead of 1 gentle curve to line up with the strip.

Post by **panick** » June 15, 2008, 10:54 pm

Maybe its the free drinks they serve

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 15, 2008, 11:00 pm

I think it's a special signal to Harry to get the beers poured.

Post by **izzix** » June 16, 2008, 12:04 am

its a sharp left turn then a sharp right turn then another sharp left .but where are the mountains ?
maybe its the lakes they are avoiding

Post by **pompui** » June 16, 2008, 1:59 am

Less turns when they come the direct route ie landing from the West.Most times they land from the East.
Maybe they cannot locate the electronic landing beam

Post by **westerby** » June 16, 2008, 2:20 am

They're dodging the SAMs...

Post by **saint** » June 16, 2008, 7:07 am

would that be the molly malones sam ?

Post by **JimboPSM** » June 16, 2008, 7:20 am

If a landing is being made under IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) using the ILS/DME approach chart for runway 30 (the main approach method used for landing at Udon) there are basically only two changes of direction required once an aircraft is in the Udon terminal area for an aircraft to line up for landing on the runway.

However, if the pilots elect to cancel their IFR clearance and land under VFR (Visual flight Rules), something which is probably being done more frequently now as it can save fuel, they will probably cancel the autopilot some distance out from the airport and hand fly the approach; during such an approach it would not be unusual for the pilot to make

Post by **saint** » June 16, 2008, 3:50 pm

i understand what your sayingjimbo, i think. but how much differance in feel is there between two identical aircraft . pretty much all we get coming in here are airbus 300s and 737, and i would imagine the pilots do this trip day in day out. i get in my truck and i just drive down the road, i dont mess about trying to get a feel for it .

Post by **vigo4929** » June 16, 2008, 4:25 pm

Do they have problem with "Bung Fai" ? (Thai Bamboo Rocket). Because of this the Bung Fai season now. They lunch many Bung Fai around Udon Thani for that week and until now. The festival will done around end of June. That's why they have make many turn before landing.

Post by **jetdoc** » June 16, 2008, 5:08 pm

What izzix posted sounds like a normal VFR approach. Downwind and left bank to base then right roll to wings level on base, then a left bank to final and a right roll to final. Of course if pilot overshoots base or final a bit more rolling will ensue.

Post by **westerby** » June 16, 2008, 6:02 pm

It could be a whole load of other things if it's not SAM dodging.

The Horizontal Situation Indicator and Attitude Indicator might be giving spurious indications due to mad Farangs using their cell phones on final approach.

Alternatively, the pilot might be showing off to his girlfriend on the ground (refer to Prince William landing his Chinook in his ladies back garden) and waggling his wings to say: 'smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!'

Lastly, the pilot may be cross eyed and struggling to decide which runway to put his jet down on.

Post by **beer monkey** » June 16, 2008, 6:58 pm

Don't mention 'chinook'..

Post by **westerby** » June 17, 2008, 12:19 am

beer monkey wrote:Don't mention 'chinook'..

It's OK - I'm qualified. Now get behind that screen and remove your clothes.

Post by **saint** » June 17, 2008, 7:51 am

does qualified mean the same as certified ?

Post by **BKKSTAN** » June 17, 2008, 9:58 am

In the case of my wife passing the driving school and receiving her ''cert'',NO NO NO

But as a pilot,she might be qualified,planes don't have to backup while in traffic,right?

Post by **westerby** » June 17, 2008, 6:36 pm

saint wrote:does qualified mean the same as certified ?

Interesting question, Konstabel.

If I had to define both words then I'd use the following examples.

If I had passed exams in aircraft engineering, I could wave my ticket and say 'I am qualified to work on this type of aircraft'.

If I had two accounts on the same forum because I had a split personality then the Trick Cyclist could say 'lock him up - he's certified!'

Now bend over and cough, please.

Post by **Steve3** » June 18, 2008, 11:22 am

Maybe they are big fans of Mr T and are trying to align the plane with Jupiter and Venus?

Or they could have one of those adorable little cats in the cockpit and like to watch the kitty's paw bob and bob......

~Steve3

Post by TJ » June 18, 2008, 11:50 am

Then again the pilot may have been out of fuel and was jiggling the plane's fuel tanks, trying to slosh that last quart of petrol into the the fuel line.

Post by **beer monkey** » June 18, 2008, 3:16 pm

very good TJ, done that a few times on a motor bike..never really works though, well only a quick splutter and thats it.