Impact of today's weather at YSSY?

[Nigel C]

Mick, although the aircraft has a 38kt limit, are the flight crew endorsed on the A320 automatically allowed to fly it up to that 38kts, or does each airline set a limit for each individual pilot based on training and experience?

[Zac M]

I flew in on QF764 tonight, it wasn't as bad as I had expected, although there appeared to be some windshear on finals as the aircraft kept banking (thats the only way to really describe it) from side to side quite violently, old mate up front had to really stick it on the ground hard. Flew out about 30minutes later on QF1525 and we got a dead smooth ride in the lower levels, up high it got a bit rough.

Also interesting to note that QF1493 (ops by TQG) had a flight time of 1hr and 23 minutes from Sydney to Canberra!!!

[Mick F]

Nige,
Different companies set different limits for their First Officers. I think there would be very few who let their FO's land up to the aircraft limit.

The Captain however, well, they're it, so they have to be able to do it. Keep in mind they'd normally have extensive experience on the aircraft.

The limitation also takes into account wind gusts, so if it's gusting to say 39kts directly across the strip, then that's outside the limitations.

Mick

[StevenW]

I was on board QF756. It wasn't bumpy at all until we were in the clouds on descent when it got a bit rough but nothing too crazy. That said, we had one missed approach and I was sure we'd have another but they managed to get down. Like Zac above, we had lots of banking and I guess that's why the first attempt was aborted. First time I've been on a flight in Australia where most passengers applauded the landing.

The captain was personally thanking and apologising to passengers as we left the aircraft, as though the conditions were somehow her fault.

[Arthur T]

According to flight radar, the 4pm Virgin Australia VA 564 service from Perth due to arrive Sydney at 10.10pm had 2 unsuccessful landings.

The plane is currently going south at Wollongong and appears it is diverting to elsewhere at the moment (possibly CBR?)

Also the late running ZL 472 service from Griffith had 2 unsuccessful landings and currently diverting Northbound. (possibly NTL?)

[Zac M]

I was supposed to be on 756, haha, and yeah same with the applauding on the landing and the captain after the flight.

[Nigel C]

Cheers Mick, just as I thought.

[Zac M]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

The plane is currently going south at Wollongong and appears it is diverting to elsewhere at the moment (possibly CBR?)

Gonna guess Melbourne, climbing a little high for Canberra

[Arthur T]

Yeah possibly. I hope they have enough fuel for that after a coast to coast plus 2 unsuccessful landings, and a strong southerly means the plane is possibly facing lots of headwind.

On the other hand, now ZL472 is heading west, where will they land?

[Zac M]

There is a tail wind for south bound flights up high today I think, flight time home to Canberra was very quick once in the higher levels, captain did mention a strong tailwind