Uusually the planes prepare to fly or land from the west end of the runway but occasionally they reverse this measure during the day and they prepare to fly or land from the easterly direction.
Anyone know why they change during the day?
2007-09-14 03:18:30 · 9 answers · asked by DanP 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
You take off and land against the wind. Wind direction changes through out the day, so the reason for changing the runway end to use.
2007-09-14 04:45:49 · answer #1 · answered by otter2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time there is a westerly wind blowing at the airport (air blowing from the east). It is standard practice to take off and land into the wind, hence you see aircraft taking off and landing from the western end of the runway. This is done to reduce the landing roll and the take off run by the component of the head wind, thereby reducing wear and tear on the aircrafts components and making life easier for the pilot as well.
During the day as the wind direction changes, the ATC compute the head wind component and advise changes in landing/take off directions for the reasons stated above. If the wind speed is from 0 - 3 knots, the ATC may not change the direction since this airspeed has negligible effect on the aircraft.
2007-09-14 06:28:38 · answer #2 · answered by al_sheda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aircraft take off and land into the wind. Wind directions can change. That's why major airports can accomodate landing or taking off in several directions by having multiple runways.
2007-09-14 06:08:32 · answer #3 · answered by Otto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since airplanes fly with respect to the air taking off or landing into the wind allows them to have a slower ground speed for an air speed sufficient to liftoff and land.
For example if the wind is blowing along a runway at 100 kts and your aircraft's landing/takeoff speed requires 120 kts you can either travel against the wind and liftoff/land at 20 kts ground speed. A very safe procedure versus having to fly downwind at 220 kts ground speed.
2007-09-14 04:07:45 · answer #4 · answered by vpi61 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they change the direction of the runway with the wind. It is normal for airports to switch runways several times a day.
2007-09-14 06:07:59 · answer #5 · answered by IFlyGuy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all has to do with the wind direction. Planes have to take off into the wind to generate enough lift to take off. They need to land into the wind so they can slow enough to touch down right at the exact time.
2007-09-14 06:26:40 · answer #6 · answered by rossmt66 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aircraft only take off and land into the wind due to lift and drag.
only on emergency should an aircraft land with the wind. it will cause the aircraft to be pushed and harder to stop.
2007-09-14 05:00:10 · answer #7 · answered by bulletbob36 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My guess would be the wind direction. You would want to take off into the wind for added lift .Aircraft carriers always face into the wind for takeoffs.
2007-09-14 03:28:01 · answer #8 · answered by Henry B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
due to aerodynamics ... airplanes take off into the wind, so the direction of the wind determines which direction they take off...
2007-09-14 03:27:19 · answer #9 · answered by pmk 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋