Sydney ATIS 9/4/09

[Gerard M]

Hi, just had a look at the ATIS for tonight and was wondering if someone could explain it to me, mainly just the parts in bold as the rest is pretty self explanatory.

SYDNEY TERMINAL INFORMATION UNIFORM

Approach: EXP VISUAL APCH
Runway: 34L FOR ARRS. RWY 16R FOR DEPS
Operational Info: CURFEW RWY NOMINATION,
CURFEW IN OPERATION UNTIL TIME 2 0 0 0.
TEMPO RED RWY LEN IN OPERATION.
RWY 34L THR NML, LDA 2890 METRES.
LAST AVBL EXIT TWYG
Wind: 320/7,
DOWNWIND 7 KNOTS RWY 16R
Weather: CAVOK - (Ceiling and Visibility OK)
Temperature: 19
QNH: 1023

Thanks in advance.
Gerard

[Michael Wright]

I believe it translates in to the following

Temporary Reduced Runway Length In Operation
Runway 34L Threshold Normal, Landing Distance Available 2890 meters

The LDA equates to where Taxiway G is.

This is how SYD normally operates during curfew ops.

[Nigel C]

I wouldn't quite say it's how it 'normally' operates during curfew hours. If there aren't any works or crane operations requiring a reduced length mode, the full length remains open, but some operating restrictions apply.

The reason the runway is closed north of Twy Golf at the moment is more than likely for the desalination pipeline works that are occurring amongst the Rwy 16R high intensity approach lights (HIAL's) on the northern side of Airport Drive (I can't recall any other works planned for that part of the field). They have a crane/drilling rig and excavator operating there.


If the full length of the runway is available during the curfew period, all traffic (except medical priority) must depart from Twy Golf to the south. Landing traffic must land from the south (medical priority traffic exempt) and can use the full length to roll out if that's what's been offered by ATC or it's operationally required by the aircraft.

Sydney now has 5 modes of reduced length curfew operation available for Rwy 16R/34L which allows the airport to conduct necesary maintenance and upgrade works.
It has selected runway lighting modes that can close Rwy 16R/34L:
north of Twy Golf (can be used any night of the week)
north of Twy Bravo-8 (can be used any night of the week)
north of Bravo-10 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights only)
south of Twy Bravo-10 (can be used any night of the week) displaced landing threshold, Runway Threshold Identification Lights (RTIL) and PAPI
south of Twy Bravo-8 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights only) displaced landing threshold, RTIL and PAPI

All of these configurations are used regularly throughout the course of a month.
Last night the runway was closed north of Bravo-8, tonight it's north of Golf and tomorrow night it's closed north of Bravo-10.
From www.airservicesaustralia.com

C0731/09
RWY 16R/34L 2468M N END NOT AVBL DUE WIP
END OF RWY 34L 1493M FM RWY 34L START OF TORA AND MARKED BY RED
LIGHTS.
OBST 20FT AGL ON RWY LOCATED 2022M FM 34L START OF TORA

DECLARED DISTANCES
RWY TORA TODA ASDA LDA
16R 1439 1529(2.4) 1469 N/A
34L N/A N/A N/A 1494
SUPPLEMENTARY TKOF DIST
RWY 16R - 1432(1.6) 1477(1.9) 1511(2.2)
LDG RWY 34L LAST EXIT TWY BRAVO-10.
TKOF RWY 16R ENTER VIA TWY BRAVO-10.
INT DEP FM TWY BRAVO-10 RWY REMAINING 1439M
LDG RWY 16R NOT AVBL
TKOF RWY 34L NOT AVBL
REFER METHOD OF WORKING PLAN 08/008
FROM 04 101300 TO 04 101900

There used to be provision to close the full length of Rwy 16R/34L during curfew on selected Saturday nights only, but the introduction of the closure south of Bravo-8 now negates the need for it, as all parts of the runway can now have maintenance performed without the need to close all of it.


I hope I haven't confused you too much!

Cheers
Nigel

[Gerard M]

Thanks for explaining that, much appreciated.

Wasn't expecting such an in depth reply Nigel, lost me first up but got it about the third read round

Thanks again
Gerard

[Nigel C]

I don't just do one-liners, you know!

To be honest, it would have been easier to explain it face to face with a map of the airport, like what's in my office. Obviously the forum doesn't cater for that, so a long-winded reply it is!

[Philip Argy]

Can we get a photo or scan of the map in your office ...