Use of 16 Left
 

Am not sure if I have got the right name, however, yesterday was at Brighton and noticed Air Pacific 747 take off in southern direction from what I refer to as the "third runway".

For wahatever reason, I always held the understanding that 16Left was limited to A330 and below - have never seen a 747 in that neck of the woods.

Has there been a change ? Was it a case of the plane was lightly loaded and therefore OK to use 16Left ?

Yesterday mid-afternoon they were operating 16L/34L configuration. Noticed the Aerolineas Argentinas 342 head off 16L too on its hop to Auckland.

Chris is correct Garry category 4 aircraft are not capable of using 16L/34R which is A380/An-124 as examples, Category 3 aircraft are 747's Nigel might be able to shed light on this subject if I'm wrong

Double post deleted

Thanks all.

Glad it wasn't a figment of my imagination.

I noticed the 16L/34L operation too - haven't see that before so was a good visit.

31 March 2010 EX419 to Dubai via Bangkok (it was the night of the QF32 blew tyre(s) on arrival) we flew out on 16L as well!! So 77W are ok to use it as well!

The very famous shot by the infamous Craig Murray can attest to the above...

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qanta...438/0260864/L/

My answer is simple compared to many of the above but yes many quite large aircraft do sometimes use 16L for takeoffs.
Air Pacific 747s are quite empty so they are the most likely 747 to use 16L. I have not seen an 747 use 16L yet but I have seen an Air Pacific 747 use an taxiway that was further down 16R that I have never seen any other B747s use before. :D

He'll I wish the 744's were empty when I go to Fiji, all the time I've been on them there bloody full. Shayne you must not get out there much I've seen quite a few heavy's operate 16L/34R...

Funnily enough I've never seen anything larger than an A330-200 LAND on 16L