BHX Movements and Heads Up

[Poshgirl]

Thanks for all your responses.

I remember the Mahan Air incident. Could have been so much different if approaching 15!

Yes, BHX is difficult. My pilot friend (ex TC Captain), used to landing at LBA, gave me a detailed description of crosswind landings at BHX. One event was a "filthy, windy night and the ILS was u/s". This guy held the certification for landing at Funchal, Gibraltar and Skiathos. I've got my next list of questions ready for him, including the recent routes into BHX.

Karl - that is unusual and certainly an opportunity not to be missed. Although he didn't ask for questions, had a similar Captain on a Eurocypria flight PFO-BHX some years ago. He kept us entertained, pointing out various Greek islands before it got dark. Passed over Kosovo, where he reassured us that it wasn't gunfire lighting up the sky but a thunderstorm below. Also sold us signed copies of his book "Flying? No Fear!" Having snapped up all copies onboard, he concluded he was either a brilliant salesman or we were all scared!

 

[Poshgirl]

Of course, there was the other Mahan Air incident involving the TV mast at Sutton Coldfield. I live nearby, on Rwy15 approach.

My comment above was based on the Feb 2006 incident.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

One of these was the question which airport is the most difficult to fly into on the Tui network.....was expecting Funchal. The answer was surprisingly for me...BHX. The reason given that it's obviously a crosswind airport, but also that they have to come in very high over London and descend very fast to make it into BHX.
Just thought I'd add that snippet.

Have a good day all

Karl

Many years ago, my Dad and I were returning to BHX from Dubai on the Emirates A330. We were still at 40000fr over Northampton, so I was expecting a R15 arrival. Shortly after, we went into a descent steeper than any other airliner descent I've experienced. Wing spoilers were deployed and the aircraft was shaking as we descended (my Dad never liked take off or landing and wasn't looking too happy). We made a straight in approach to R33. At the time, I assumed there had been a late switch from R15 to R33.
Incidently, on the same flight departing Dubai (the flight was full) we did a straight climb to 40000ft and at the top of the climb, the speed was showing as 960km/h. That's some performance!

Kevin

 

[thunderchild]

I’ve landed on both 33 and 15 more times than I care to remember and I can honestly say I’ve never noticed any difference! I usually know we’ve started descending before the captain announces it apart from one flight from JFK to AMS when the time between the announcement and the wheels touching down seemed like 10 minutes. It was a sudden, rapid descent and I have never experienced pain in my ears like that ever before or since.

Remember the old days when the cabin crew would bring round a bowl of mints before take off/landing?

 

[Matt995]

Hopefully, providing no last minute cancellations, we should see 3 airlines returning today (Friday)

Brussels Airlines from Brussels SN2047 at 17:10, A319 OO-SSQ
Swiss from Zurich LX424 at 18:20, A221 HB-JBD
Air India from Delhi/Amritsar AI117 at 19:20, B788 VT-ANX

as usual, subject to last minute aircraft changes!

 

[Poshgirl]

Planning a spotting day next Tuesday. Weather will be good; must remember sunscreen and hat!

All kids back at school by then so should have choice of benches in Sheldon Country Park. Always aim to get there before EK arrives (old habit from when A380).

 

[HPsauce]

Tonight's Brussels Airlines A319 is cancelled. A pattern developing here ?. Swiss and Air India are on their way.

 

[Matt995]

Air India changed to VT-ANH, and is night stopping, due to depart 19:30 on Saturday.

I wonder what sort of marketing Brussels Airlines is doing for the Birmingham route? If the public don't know the flights are re-starting, how can they expect any passengers to book the flight, might explain the cancellations?

 

[Brum X]

Air India changed to VT-ANH, and is night stopping, due to depart 19:30 on Saturday.

I wonder what sort of marketing Brussels Airlines is doing for the Birmingham route? If the public don't know the flights are re-starting, how can they expect any passengers to book the flight, might explain the cancellations?

And exactly who is going to Brussels nowadays now we have left the EU, sorry to offend anybody who might be from Brussels but I have heard it isn't a very interesting city for tourists, more of a business city ?? Anybody else visited BRU, it certainly isn't on my to do list

 

[JENNYJET]

I have been to Antwerp, a very interesting city at 4am and with a greater understanding of tourists than perhaps Bruxelles!

 

[Nethercote2019]

Hawker Hurricanerecent arrival According to fr24 & I do realise it’s not always accurate but an unusual visitor these days

 

[jfy1999]

And exactly who is going to Brussels nowadays now we have left the EU, sorry to offend anybody who might be from Brussels but I have heard it isn't a very interesting city for tourists, more of a business city ?? Anybody else visited BRU, it certainly isn't on my to do list

Perhaps it’s one of the routes that depend upon some onward connections. Brussels Airlines serve a lot of destinations in Africa.

 

[rollo]

Brussels is showing again on the arrivals board, don't bet the house on it actually happening based on last week.

EasyJet Amsterdam service starts today due 0723hrs and due to build up to eleven weekly by the end of September.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Brussels is showing again on the arrivals board, don't bet the house on it actually happening based on last week.

FR24 shows Sunday's flight to have operated.

Kevin

 

[HPsauce]

FR24 often shows flights that were in the original plans pre Covid. Brussels Airlines had indicated a Monday and Friday service initially. However I understand today's is again cancelled.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

FR24 often shows flights that were in the original plans pre Covid.

I'm aware that FR24 has errors, but it shows the flight (both arrival and departure) for BHX along with STA/ATA and STD/ATD. Also, if I search FR24 by flight number (SN2047) or registration (OO-SSL) for Sunday 050921, I get the following -

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/sn2047#290a4dc6

If a flight is listed and doesn't operate, FR24 usually denotes it as 'unknown'.

Perhaps Ian can shed some light.

Kevin

 

[Brummiegem]

I was at work yesterday,and can confirm that the Brussels Airlines flight did operate.
I heard at least one final call for passengers around 17:30ish.

 

[rollo]

I think Kevin is correct I've just had a look on FR24 and it does show as operated, I'd got it in my head that next Sunday was the start of that days ops.

Meanwhile while I'm at it I think next Monday Munich returns with Lufthansa using one of their subsidiaries most likely operating the service I would imagine.

 

[Poshgirl]

Didn't take me long to get my head round BHX on FR24 and the inaccuracies.

Even BHX's own arrivals/departures online had a blip the other day. Was showing exactly same info for both days in the 24hr view.

Is it me or do LH have a problem with which subsidiary does what? Suppose it's down to passenger numbers dictating whether to use LH mainline, LH Cityline or Eurowings and which German airport.

 

[rollo]

I've read on another forum that Munich will run initially using Italian subsidiary Air Dolomiti.

The poster concered is very knowledgeable in BHX matters.

Poshgirl I believe your off to Sheldon country park tomorrow for a bit of spotting don't forget the sunscreen enjoy, its my old stamping ground way way back.