Rumor: SWA to announce DEN pilot bases tomorrow 1/31/12

[FIREMAN]

Came out of Aspen in a Lear 24 with enough gas to get to Peblo and more pax then I should say. Stick shaker going off the whole time but we made it. Take the thrust limit off the 71 should be no problem

 

[rod farva]

I can't see Southwest having a base in Denver. UAL is to big there and would crush Southwest if they try to move into the Denver market.

Yeah, you meant UAL express right?

 

[DonVerita]

Why isn't SWA flying the 737 into Aspen right now?

If it's a performance issue and the 737 can't get in there, then neither could the 717.

 

[dicko]

I think the wingspan might be an issue.

Deleted; due to my fear of Karma and hitting a telephone pole because I posted .....







Touch wood.

 

[njcapt]

Why isn't SWA flying the 737 into Aspen right now?

If it's a performance issue and the 737 can't get in there, then neither could the 717.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen_–_Pitkin_County_Airport

Operating limitations

Per Title X of the Pitkin County Code, the airport has several unique operating limitations. Due to non-standard runway/taxiway separation, the airport has a 95 ft (29 m) aircraft wingspan limitation. Aircraft weight is restricted to 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg) maximum certificated gross landing weight or less. The Aspen – Pitkin County Airport also has an airport operating curfew. No aircraft operations are permitted between 2300 local and 0700 local. No aircraft departures are permitted after 2230 local. FAR Part 36 Stage II aircraft operations are not permitted more than 30 minutes after official sunset.[2]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_717


717-200
Basic Gross Weight 717-200 Cockpit crew Two Passengers, typical seating 106 (two-class) 117 (one-class) Length 124 ft 0 in (37.8 m) Wingspan 93 ft 5 in (28.47 m) Tail height 29 ft 1 in (8.92 m) Cabin width, external 131.6 in (334.2 cm) Cabin width, internal 123.8 in (314.5 cm) Max takeoff weight 110,000 lb (49,900 kg) Max range 1,430 nmi (2,645 km) Typical cruising speed Mach 0.77 (504 mph, 438 knots, 811 km/h)
at altitude of 34,200 feet (10,400 m) Powerplants (2x) Rolls Royce BR715-A1-30 Rolls Royce BR715-C1-30 Engine thrust 18,500 lbf (82.3 kN) 21,000 lbf (93.4 kN)

 

[Ky.BrownBourbn]

Well, last I heard 75's go in there so I don't think the windspan limitation is the issue, My understanding is it's the SE climb gradient but I admit, I'm just a dumb pilot!!!

Don't know one thing about the SE climb gradient (or 2 engine for that matter) of the 71...that's my question...Gross weight is irrelevant...You just limit the # of pax...That can be done anywhere...Check EYW when it's wet!

Thanks for the replies!

Later,
KBB

 

[ATLplt]

MTOW for a 717 is 120,000 lbs, not 110,000. The wing is the main issue on that airplane. It's short and not nearly as efficient as the 737. As far as power goes though, it's a little rocket when operating without restrictions. Dunno about limitations operating into high altitude cities though.

 

[Whaler]

Well, last I heard 75's go in there so I don't think the windspan limitation is the issue, My understanding is it's the SE climb gradient but I admit, I'm just a dumb pilot!!!

Don't know one thing about the SE climb gradient (or 2 engine for that matter) of the 71...that's my question...Gross weight is irrelevant...You just limit the # of pax...That can be done anywhere...Check EYW when it's wet!

Thanks for the replies!

Later,
KBB

You are thinking Eagle, which 75's do go into on a regular basis. I was Aspen qual'ed at a previous airline. The issue is the box canyon that any kind of missed approach to the landing runway can be a hairy situation to say the least, especially SE....The best plane for the job in ASE is the Q400. Too bad we didn't buy anyone who had those....

 

[njcapt]

Well, last I heard 75's go in there so I don't think the windspan limitation is the issue, My understanding is it's the SE climb gradient but I admit, I'm just a dumb pilot!!!

Don't know one thing about the SE climb gradient (or 2 engine for that matter) of the 71...that's my question...Gross weight is irrelevant...You just limit the # of pax...That can be done anywhere...Check EYW when it's wet!

Thanks for the replies!

Later,
KBB

As far as I know there has never been a 757 in ASE. The locals have been seriously on point in restricting large airline aircraft operations in there and as a result have to deal with Skywest CRJ-700/900's. Eagle is a different story as it's down-valley.

MTOW for a 717 is 120,000 lbs, not 110,000. The wing is the main issue on that airplane. It's short and not nearly as efficient as the 737. As far as power goes though, it's a little rocket when operating without restrictions. Dunno about limitations operating into high altitude cities though.

The basic model B717 has a 110,000 lb MGW, the high gross weight version has 120,000. Nearly all of the operational restrictions at ASE are due to OEI climb gradients. A 737-700 would have to severely limit loads to get out of there - if it could be done at all (my OPT got corrupted a while back or I would check). I'd also be incredibly uneasy flying a 4.6° descent path to land on a 7000 ft (now 8000) runway at 7800 ft elevation.

 

[Ky.BrownBourbn]

Ok, Probably wrong airport, Like I admitted up front, I'm just a dumb pilot...

Thanks for all the responses!!! I know nothing about flying into Aspen or Eagle and I prefer to keep it that way... I have no desire to fly to Hawaii either but if the company is going to make Boatloads of cash, I'm all for it! just my prerogative, nothing against any of those places!!!

Thanks again,
KBB

 

[Sy-bill]

Ok, Probably wrong airport, Like I admitted up front, I'm just a dumb pilot...

Thanks for all the responses!!! I know nothing about flying into Aspen or Eagle and I prefer to keep it that way... I have no desire to fly to Hawaii either but if the company is going to make Boatloads of cash, I'm all for it! just my prerogative, nothing against any of those places!!!

Thanks again,
KBB

You may be thinking about Vail. I have flown a 75 into that airport many moons ago.

 

[outerlimits]

Ok, Probably wrong airport, Like I admitted up front, I'm just a dumb pilot...

Thanks for all the responses!!! I know nothing about flying into Aspen or Eagle and I prefer to keep it that way... I have no desire to fly to Hawaii either but if the company is going to make Boatloads of cash, I'm all for it! just my prerogative, nothing against any of those places!!!

Thanks again,
KBB

Dont worry about flying to Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines( with there 15 aircraft) are going to clean your guys clock over at Southwest.
I am not sure why SWA even would want to take on Hawaiian Airlines and the fire power they have.

Dan R back me up, you more than anyone hate SWA .

 

[PTinbound]

The fact that all the intelligent rumors are pointing to the DEN crew base is precisely why it can't be there.

 

[FlyByNight1]

The fact that all the intelligent rumors are pointing to the DEN crew base is precisely why it can't be there.

I hope your wrong, but history would say otherwise.

 

[vixin]

Per Title X of the Pitkin County Code, the airport has several unique operating limitations.Aircraft weight is restricted to 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg) maximum certificated gross landing weight or less.

717-200
Basic Gross Weight 717-200 Cockpit crew Two Passengers, typical seating 106 (two-class) 117 (one-class) Length 124 ft 0 in (37.8 m) Wingspan 93 ft 5 in (28.47 m) Tail height 29 ft 1 in (8.92 m) Cabin width, external 131.6 in (334.2 cm) Cabin width, internal 123.8 in (314.5 cm) Max takeoff weight 110,000 lb (49,900 kg)