Author Topic: TFR/Windshear/Tailwind Landings/and Marine One at IAD June 2, 2009  (Read 7220 times)

Offline rob3000

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
     First clip post here and not a pilot or ATC so please bear with me.  I was going to try to edit this down but the whole half hour really seemed pretty interesting to me.  It features a TFR going into effect at IAD, severe weather in the area, wind shear advisories and alerts(9:00), diversion of aircraft to alternate Manassas, the reversing of the direction of the active (from19L to 1R) landing runway at IAD (so that planes land with a 10 to 20kt TAILWIND) (approx 4:40) , a lighter moment as pilot jokes about wanting to land on 12 (30 is active for takeoffs)(9:40), pilots reporting and ATC warning about tailwind on landing(17:15 to the end), an exchange between ATC and a pilot reporting an 18kt tailwind at 1000' and at least 10kts on final asks, "Why was it you changed the airport around?" tower, "I can't comment on frequency, Sir" pilot, "Roger that" tower, "You can call the tower if you'd like with a comment" (29:10) and finally, a visit from the President. (at least that's what i'm guessing because Marine One lands and I think it is only referred to that when he is onboard?) (28:10) and  Marine One landing during windshear alert, tower, "Landing at that location is at your risk." (30:30)

 http://archive-server.liveatc.net/kiad/KIAD-Jun-02-2009-2230Z.mp3

     Some novice questions: Was the runway reversed to avoid the restricted airspace for Marine One or to avoid the reported windshear at the other end of the runway? (I'm assuming it was for the Marine One TFR)   How much of a tailwind can planes typically handle on landing?  Is 18kts excessive?  What are the risks of landing with a tailwind AND windshear?

Some info on tailwind operations I found on the web showing aircraft types and limits:

 http://www.nlr.nl/id~4359/l~en.pdf see page 9

http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/systemsafety/newsletters/tp185/1-05/614.htm
 
    BTW the next half hour is somewhat interesting also as planes stack up on the ground and must taxi back to gate on 19 after the TFR and ground stop goes into effect and some transmissions between nighthawk 1 and 2 and tower.  I believe these are callsigns of other helos in the Presidents helicopter wing?   Maybe someone with better editing skills would want to take a listen.