Frances144 Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 How strong does the wind have to be and in what direction, before Flybe start to cancel flights? Daughter going to Edinburgh on the 19.40 flight tomorrow. Forecast Force 9-10 (50mph gusting 70+) South South-East. Yellow alert from Met Office. I have to drive for 1 hour 15 minutes to airport and back in the dark. I don't mind obviously if she is going to travel. I just object if I get there and then they say the flight is cancelled. If the police say do not go out unless an emergency, is it wise to drive to airport especially if they cancel the flight? I will then have another dangerous drive home. Land Rover (long wheel base) or Yaris? - which is safer in these conditions? LR is taller than the Yaris but much heavier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 With most tickets if the passenger does not get to the airport it counts as a "no show" so bye bye ticket and fare paid. Possibly able to get round that if the police do issue a "do not drive" warning. Not sure that I like the sound of 75 minutes from Thordale to the airport. Think I would allow a lot longer on a dark, wet and windy night. Maybe the best idea is to take a leisurely drive to Lerwick or Scalloway and phone Loganair at Sumburgh to see what is happening. Planes can land in all sorts of weather and once landed can take off again. Phone number might be 01950 460345. Best vehicle???. Matter of personal taste. I would take the Land Rover as long as it has a good heater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johno6998 Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Agree 100% with "just me" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 We tend to notice if they're using a different runway at Sumburgh cos it means they fly over our blooming roof! Anyway, a quick google revealed that Saab 340s have a maximum cross wind speed of 35 knots (say Force 8 on Beaufort scale) ... but there's more than one runway so it might not have to take off/land in a cross wind. Besides, half the time the weather forecast is for Fair Isle and it doesn't always reach the speeds they forecast. Car choice? Landrover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheelsup Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) yes thats a 35 knot crosswind at 90 degrees across and if its 90 degrees across its virtually straight down the other runway. so not liable to be a factor.. I've seen them operate in force 10 possibly 11 Edited January 23, 2014 by Wheelsup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances144 Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) Thanks, chaps. I will take the LR (yes, good heater once it gets going) and good idea to go half way and phone.I will also wait until the flight actually leaves Shetland as last child off to uni was on the plane when the wheel twisted when they turned round to take off and ended up stuck for hours in Sumburgh while I was driving happily home totally unaware. So complicated. Thanks for phone number. I will make a note of that. Edited January 23, 2014 by Frances144 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances144 Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Getting scared now - upgraded to Storm Will they fly in a storm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Well it depends a lot on the wind direction---or the runway alignment if you prefer. But I have seen a plane flying backwards!........only showing off and it was not a passenger plane. Just needed the right sort of wind. But you can be certain that Loganair pilots will not take silly risks. BBC Radio Shetland do tend to tell us if the police have issued a "no drive" warning so be sure to listen. Like stop somewhere with a good signal if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) Getting scared now - upgraded to Storm Will they fly in a storm? If possible and a bad storm, they fly around it. I've landed at KL, Malaysia, in a thunder storm; the turbulence was excellent! Edited January 24, 2014 by unlinkedstudent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostrider Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Well, one just came in no bother. Unless the wind suddenly rises I wouldn't expect any problems unless for a few wobbles, they're using 15 so direct head wind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasmie Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 in this case it is storm on the beaufort scale. an indication of windspeed. a storm is only 55 -63 mph, a violent storm is 64-73 mph and a hurricane is over 74mph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Well the Sandness weather station has recorded a gust over 63 mph while the Toft and Unst stations have stopped supplying readings. And my local forecast is for 75mph gusts so I guess I am going to experience a hurricane about 9pm. But the flight Frances 144 is heading for is showing as cancelled as is the late flight to Aberdeen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) Ah. Could be as there is no longer daylight and they don't like the take-off (or landing) when using that particular runway as there is no instrument landing for it in the dark. Might be CAA or whatever they called Regulations. Edited January 24, 2014 by unlinkedstudent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances144 Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 We went, we booked in, they cancelled, we came home. A night of sharn. I told them so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.