Author Topic: a very new newbie-silly question  (Read 14470 times)

Offline blaze

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a very new newbie-silly question
« on: March 05, 2005, 12:18:57 PM »
You will have to bear with me for a moment as I am a complete novice and know next to nothing about ATC.  Although, I love to listen to the controllers..  Here is my question, the pilot says "NW 17 heavy.....". What does the heavy mean?  Is it in reference to the size of aircraft?  Thanks again and I'm sure I will have many more novice questions.



Offline Robin Rebhan

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Re Heavy
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2005, 12:25:02 PM »
NorthWest (airline) Heavy (heavy jet) Large Jet, load will require full length of runway. Cannot land, stop and hold short of intersecting runway(s) or taxiways.
In my case in my little Cessna if I have a heavy jet coming in behind me it's a clear signal to land and get off the runway ASAP   :shock: . I'll use the brakes to get off at the first taxiway instead of a rollout (coast to a stop).
     Robin Rebhan
     KALB Feeder

Offline AmericaWestCMH

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a very new newbie-silly question
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2005, 12:42:46 PM »
Heavy jets weigh minimum 250,00lbs.

Offline Hopkins

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Re: Heavy
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2005, 06:21:24 PM »
I believe the true "heavy" designation is not solely based on weight or runway usage.  Specifically, it has to do with the wake that the aircraft creates in the air.  Using the heavy designation reminds everyone that extra spacing and caution is needed around these aircraft.

While the "heavy" term applies to big and loaded aircraft, it also applies, for example, to the 757.  This aircraft still gets the "heavy" designation because of the unusually large wake it leaves in its path.

Offline Polehill

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a very new newbie-silly question
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2005, 06:58:55 PM »
Here is the definition provided in the UK manual of air traffic services ( the controllers "bible")
Please note that it explicitly states that the UK definition differs from the ICAO  (International Civil Aviation Organistion) definition of wake turbulence categories.
To see an example of their  criteria please click on the web page link at the bottom of this message.
Hope this helps
Steve

Appendix B Aircraft Categories
Summary of Contents
This Appendix contains tables of aircraft categories under the following headings:
1 Vortex Wake Categories
1.1 The UK categories differ from the ICAO vortex wake categories used for flight
planning purposes. In the UK, aircraft are divided into four categories according to
their maximum total weight at take-off as follows:
1.2 Helicopters generate more intense vortices from their rotors than fixed wing aircraft
of the same weight. Therefore Sikorsky S61N and larger helicopters are included in
the Small category.
1.3 It will be noted that several aircraft types have been grouped in vortex wake
categories which do not conform to those listed above. For example, the B707, DC8,
VC10 and IL62 have been classified as MEDIUM as experience has shown that the
characteristics of these types conform more to that group.
1.4 MATS Part 2 may contain additional aircraft types, not listed in the table overleaf,
which are frequent users of the airfield.
1 Vortex Wake Categories.
2 Aerodrome Categories for Rescue and Fire Fighting.
Heavy: 136 000 kg or greater
Medium: less than 136 000 kg and more than 40 000 kg
Small: 40 000 kg or less and more than 17 000 kg
Light: 17 000 kg or less
31 January 2004, Amdt 60 (corr)


http://www.airlinecodes.co.uk/acrtypes.htm ( for wake categories of individual aircrafts)

http://www.esparacing.com/sport%20pilot/flight_training/WAKE%20TURBULENCE1.htm

Offline PHL Approach

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a very new newbie-silly question
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2005, 07:25:23 AM »
Quote from: AmericaWestCMH
Heavy jets weigh minimum 250,00lbs.


Actually Heavy is catagorized as being 255,000 lbs or more, but you were only off by 5,000  :lol:

Offline AmericaWestCMH

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a very new newbie-silly question
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2005, 01:47:21 PM »
Quote from: PHL_Approach
Quote from: AmericaWestCMH
Heavy jets weigh minimum 250,00lbs.


Actually Heavy is catagorized as being 255,000 lbs or more, but you were only off by 5,000  :lol:


Doh