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

[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)

 

[Dan Roman]

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 .

You are not doing a very good job of hiding the fact that you are a SWA pilot trying to make DAL/RJ's look bad.

 

[texman]

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.

Vixin,

I was looking at that last night and laughed. I have been in and out of ASE so much that you always cross your T's and dot your I's. It's a landing limit. The G5 I think has a 99 foot wing span. I bet if the numbers work per TERPs, aircraft AFM, wing waiver the 717, it would do fine. But don't fly the airplane, so don't know.

The second segment climb gradient is not a issue unless it is IMC, Eng Ice on, heavy and tailwind on take off. Most large airplanes can make it. If it is a pretty VMC day just request a vmc climb under a IFR flight plan. Bang a eng fly down the valley at a 1.6 vmc climb go to EGE or Rifle (vmc only). If winds aloft are low and turn radius works, just turn around. If the 717 started doing flying like this and places like KSUN, hell I would go bid it. It would make flying fun again.

 

[eagle06]

The wingspan issue with the taxiway can probably be waived. They have a similar limit with the Q400 going in to Sun Valley and simply have an empty taxiway when they land. Problem solved... All that being said Aspen is pretty tight for an 8000 foot runway. I also really enjoy flying there on clear calm days!

 

[outerlimits]

You are not doing a very good job of hiding the fact that you are a SWA pilot trying to make DAL/RJ's look bad.

Dan the hate man ,aka Gen lee , aka oy6. All I can is I am flattered. I would be happy at DAL, SWA, or UAL and AA.

 

[humveedriver]

The 717 is a good airplane for many things. High performance climb is not one of them. Descending like a stone is something it does well. Like a previous poster wrote "small wing". It's far better than the DC-9. But have you ever tried jumpseating on an MD80 out of RNO? The minute they have an alternate to DFW there pulling pax off. The wingspan is not an issue, it's only about 93 ft. AT already operates several aircraft with the normal power engines. They started that when we began KDEN service. I think range and payload would be a big issue out of Aspen if it can do it at all. Also the brakes get very warm quickly on that airplane especially at high altitudes. All together making for a poor operational fit.

 

[Whataburger]

I was in Denver today and I was told that the big day is February 30th!!

 

[texman]

I was in Denver today and I was told that the big day is February 30th!!

I think I meet you the other day and you told me this, I had to stop and think about it. Then I laughed my azz off.

 

[texman]

The 717 is a good airplane for many things. High performance climb is not one of them. Descending like a stone is something it does well. Like a previous poster wrote "small wing". It's far better than the DC-9. But have you ever tried jumpseating on an MD80 out of RNO? The minute they have an alternate to DFW there pulling pax off. The wingspan is not an issue, it's only about 93 ft. AT already operates several aircraft with the normal power engines. They started that when we began KDEN service. I think range and payload would be a big issue out of Aspen if it can do it at all. Also the brakes get very warm quickly on that airplane especially at high altitudes. All together making for a poor operational fit.

As far as the range, we just hop over to DEN and connect the pax to where they need to go. less than 30 min. Bumpy ride in the winter though.

 

[humveedriver]

It's alot of hops to get the plane from ATL to DEN. Tampa and Atlanta are the only bases right ;-) It would be cool to see if the plane could handle it. But you just couldn't quick turn the brakes, seriously.

- throw an 18 hour over night in there and now we're talking!

 

[FlyByNight1]

You are not doing a very good job of hiding the fact that you are a SWA pilot trying to make DAL/RJ's look bad.

Your the only one here making DAL look bad. Besides am I the only one here who has no idea what this guy is talking about? DAL/RJ? Why do you keep spouting about this fictitious grudge that SWA guys hold? I have been flying a lot lately and the worst comment ive heard about DAL in the cockpit is "I wish this guy would turn off his strobes". Take your manifesto elsewhere cause we aint buyin.