Swede
Live from Caracas
- Joined
- May 26, 2004
- Posts
- 278
The last 2 weeks into MGGT have been a nightmare; dangerous and bizarre. The runway (19 and 01) is shaped like a roller coaster and has poor braking when wet. ILS to 01 (ceiling required) and a VOR to 19 (again ceiling required). Rising terrain all quadrants and you must have your act together with IFR and appch procedures down there.
In good weather, Guatemala City is kind of fun... there is a semi-active volcano nearby that can make night landings spectacular. The people are poor but really nice. Overall, a good trip.
For two weeks now, rains and low temp/DP spreads have been the norm. That's fine, but here's what happens EVERY TIME.
Enroute, update WX. The weather is ALWAYS, and I'm not kidding, 1200 scattered via ACARS. As you leave Cenamer and are handed over to MGGT apch, the "secret", non-ACARS wx is announced:
MGGT: "300 bkn, 1000 meters, mist, fog, RW, winds 180 at 7. Expect VOR approach to 19".
US: WTF? The mins for the VOR are 500 ft ceiling. "Unable VOR, request ILS to 01."
MGGT: "Er, TACA and AVIANCA have landed 19 no problems. WX now 800 scattered. Proceed direct KATAS, cleared VOR RW 19."
We brief, set up, and execute the VOR. Enter thick goo at the MDA, driving rains and turbulence. Miss the approach. As we call the miss, MGGT tries to vector us into rising terrain, all the while berating us for not landing. He points out once again that 'TACA 192 landed 5 minutes ago'. After flailing with the FMC we execute the ILS to 01 and barely get in.
OK, having this happen once is possible, but I've been into MGGT 5 times in two weeks and it's the same crap. MGGT WX below VOR mins, the appch controller claims all the local boys are making it in, and we end up holding for traffic while guys land 19.
I KNOW those TACA's and props are busting mins to land. And I'm getting sick of the WX lies. Has anyone else been into MGGT lately, and have your experiences been similar? I'm getting gun shy, and I go out again tomorrow.
uke: [MGGT]
In good weather, Guatemala City is kind of fun... there is a semi-active volcano nearby that can make night landings spectacular. The people are poor but really nice. Overall, a good trip.
For two weeks now, rains and low temp/DP spreads have been the norm. That's fine, but here's what happens EVERY TIME.
Enroute, update WX. The weather is ALWAYS, and I'm not kidding, 1200 scattered via ACARS. As you leave Cenamer and are handed over to MGGT apch, the "secret", non-ACARS wx is announced:
MGGT: "300 bkn, 1000 meters, mist, fog, RW, winds 180 at 7. Expect VOR approach to 19".
US: WTF? The mins for the VOR are 500 ft ceiling. "Unable VOR, request ILS to 01."
MGGT: "Er, TACA and AVIANCA have landed 19 no problems. WX now 800 scattered. Proceed direct KATAS, cleared VOR RW 19."
We brief, set up, and execute the VOR. Enter thick goo at the MDA, driving rains and turbulence. Miss the approach. As we call the miss, MGGT tries to vector us into rising terrain, all the while berating us for not landing. He points out once again that 'TACA 192 landed 5 minutes ago'. After flailing with the FMC we execute the ILS to 01 and barely get in.
OK, having this happen once is possible, but I've been into MGGT 5 times in two weeks and it's the same crap. MGGT WX below VOR mins, the appch controller claims all the local boys are making it in, and we end up holding for traffic while guys land 19.
I KNOW those TACA's and props are busting mins to land. And I'm getting sick of the WX lies. Has anyone else been into MGGT lately, and have your experiences been similar? I'm getting gun shy, and I go out again tomorrow.
uke: [MGGT]