The Comair crash reminds me...

"Dudley Henriques" writes:

It can happen and has happened and will happen again as long as pilots don't
remember to physically check the runway heading by glancing at the DG or
HSI, or even the magnetic compass EVERY time they line up for takeoff. This
should be an automatic reflex action for a pilot, especially at busy
airports where runways are 30 degrees or less apart in direction.

That was my first thought too, especially after the news kept reporting
that the flight data was consistent with taking off from the short
runway.

I usually check my compass and reset my DG when I line up on the runway.
("usually" == "not when rolling onto a short soft strip") It'd be hard
to miss a 30 degree difference then.

I wonder if we'll see calls for scheduled service to require active
tower controllers.

--kyler

"Kyler Laird" wrote in message
...

I wonder if we'll see calls for scheduled service to require active
tower controllers.


Active tower controllers?

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
I wonder if we'll see calls for scheduled service to require active
tower controllers.


Active tower controllers?

As opposed to sedentary tower controllers?

"John Gaquin" wrote in message
. ..

As opposed to sedentary tower controllers?

Beats me. I'm hoping for clarification from Kyler Laird.

"John Gaquin" wrote in message
. ..

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
I wonder if we'll see calls for scheduled service to require active
tower controllers.


Active tower controllers?

As opposed to sedentary tower controllers?
Couch potatoes?

"Steven P. McNicoll" writes:

I wonder if we'll see calls for scheduled service to require active
tower controllers.

Active tower controllers?

As I said, a tower controller who was not (quite yet) on duty ("active")
turned around the commuter plane following me to the wrong (for him)
runway. (Yes, I could have just said "active tower" but the real help
comes from the controller.)

The Today Show this morning had a spot where an NTSB spokesperson said
"during the takeoff roll the flight crew noted that the lights were out
on the runway" then the voice over breaks in with "but the crew never
applied the brakes or radioed the tower. Instead the captain called out
'rotate' telling the first officer to pull up at the appropriate speed."

Was the tower active or was that comment from out of nowhere? If it was
active...well, was the plane really cleared for takeoff onto the wrong
runway?

Also, it sure sounds like they (theoretically) could have made the
takeoff on that runway. Anyone have the performance tables handy?

--kyler

"Kyler Laird" wrote in message
...

The Today Show this morning had a spot where an NTSB spokesperson said
"during the takeoff roll the flight crew noted that the lights were out
on the runway" then the voice over breaks in with "but the crew never
applied the brakes or radioed the tower. Instead the captain called out
'rotate' telling the first officer to pull up at the appropriate speed."

Was the tower active or was that comment from out of nowhere?


It's a full-time tower.



If it was active...well, was the plane really cleared for takeoff onto the
wrong
runway?


No, it was cleared for takeoff on the right runway, the flight crew
attempted takeoff on the wrong runway.