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Eastern Region – Mt. Holly Regional Aviation Conference. Rick Curtis Southwest Airlines 6/6/06 rick.curtis@wnco.com. SWA Facts. 3000+ daily flights from 61 airports - newest DEN – IAD starts 10/06 450+ Boeing 737 aircraft: -300’s -500’s -700’s Average flight length is 773 miles
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Eastern Region –Mt. Holly Regional Aviation Conference Rick Curtis Southwest Airlines 6/6/06 rick.curtis@wnco.com
SWA Facts • 3000+ daily flights from 61 airports - newest DEN – IAD starts 10/06 • 450+ Boeing 737 aircraft: -300’s -500’s -700’s • Average flight length is 773 miles • Shortest: 133 miles - RSW-MCO • Longest: 2,510 miles - PHL - OAK • Southwest purchased 1.3 billion gallons of jet fuel in 2004. • Southwest offers the most domestic flights of any airline.
SWA Weather • Rely solely on NWS TAFs for operational decisions. • Weather information is routinely used by: Dispatch, Pilots, Maintenance, Operations, Reservations, Crew Scheduling and Executive Office. • Intranet Weather System available to all SWA employees. • Integrate both government and private sector weather information sources into our applications.
Alternate of SAT plus contingency (“just-in-case”) fuel nearly adds up to fuel required to get TO AUS from HOU FAR reserve fuel is required to be carried in addition to enroute and alternate fuel.
Eastern Sub-Region Aviation Meeting • PHL Operations • Runways 9R-27L, 9L-27R • Best ATOG 9R-27L (10506’) - 8 Gates – D1-D4, E8, E9, E10, and E12 • 58 daily departures – 9 terminating flights • Usually need 600 RVR or 1/4 mile for departures. • Best approach is ILS 9R RVR 700’or ½ SM 50’ DA • Most other approaches require at least ½ SM – 200’ DA.
Eastern Sub-Region Aviation Meeting • ISP Operations • Runways 6-24, 10-24, 15R-33L • Best ATOG 6-24 (7002’) • Runway 6 preferred for departures due to JFK traffic conflicts - 4 Gates – A5, A6, A7 and A8 • 32 daily departures – 9 terminating flights • Usually need 1600 RVR or 1/4 mile for take offs • Best approach is 6-24 RVR 2400 or ½ SM 200’ DA
Eastern Sub-Region Aviation Meeting • BWI Operations • Runways 10-28, 15R-33L, 4-22 • Best ATOG 10-28 (10502’) • 21 Gates – A1-A11, B2, B4, B6, B8, B10- B15 • 166 daily departures – 23 terminating flights • Usually need 600 RVR for departures • Best approach is ILS Runway 10 – RVR 700 DA 50’ • Need at least ½ SM for other approaches • 2500+ SWA Employees around BWI
Eastern Sub-Region Aviation Meeting • Strategic Impact – Major Snow Storms/Hurricanes • Employees • Passengers - “SODA” • Airport operations planning coordination • Determine station “close” time • After storm evaluate conditions, employee situation, infrastructure (bridges/tram, roads, NAVAIDs etc.) • Plan Recovery • Restore Operations
Eastern Sub-Region Aviation Meeting • Routine Impacts – Thunderstorms/Snow/Ice Pellets • Extra contingency fuel • Required alternates • Flight Delays • Suspended Ramp Operations – “Code Red” • Diversions • Cancelled Operations
Eastern Sub-Region Aviation Meeting • NWS WFO Specifics • AFDs and Aviation Sections • TAFs • GRIDs • Airport Weather Warnings • Local Weather Statements • Product Consistency • Telephone consults
NWS Not-so Random Thoughts • Safety versus accuracy - importance • Watch how long you go out - extended periods of BR, TS etc. • NIL TAFs - we prefer the NO AMD TAFs when possible • Watch FAR. • TAFs - be specific (mush=bad, fortitude=good) • Know the airport minimums • Monitor time periods FM0200Z 2-SN TEMPO 0204 1/4 +SN
NWS Not-so Random Thoughts • Area Forecast Discussion - Aviation • Very interested in FROPA, cross-winds and not just IFR/VFR • TAF verification - “impact verification” when it comes to operational verifications • Ceiling or vis or wx DID/DID NOT happen • Should they have been forecasted YES/NO • Interested in working w/NWS to compare w/current TAFVER • ASOS issues • Web Site Standardization within NWS and regions
From everyone at Southwest Airlines Thanks for all YOU do – YOU are appreciated!