taking off in high winds

[saviboy]

Hi I was wondering if a 757 could take off in tropical storm force winds?
the reason for this question is that I am supposed to leave from fort lauderdale to JFK at 6.40am on saturday in a song flight.
the storm is "forecasted" to land around Fort Pierce which is around 130 SM from FLL.
Which would put FLL in the tropical storm force winds.
thanks

 

[flyifrvfr]

I quess we will find out, let us know how the take-off goes.

 

[vclean]

You can do anything once. "Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Delta flight 666 on our way to New York. It's going to be a bit bumpy on the climb to our cruising altitude of 33,000 feet. The high winds we are experiencing here in Florida will allow us to lift off the runway in short order. We may experience dangerous wind shear on climb out, but we are not worried as we are wearing our lucky underwear and carrying our lucky rabbit's feet.

 

[Flying Illini]

Here's a better question...why would you want to?!

 

[rumpletumbler]

We took off with a 40-50 kt wind in a Delta 737 in Oklahoma once and it was very smooth....if you hadn't known the wind was blowing that strong you would have never known it. It wasn't straight down the runway either.

 

[saviboy]

Here's a better question...why would you want to?!

I am just curious about how I need to organize my week end, do I need to cancel or can I still plan to leave. As you can see I am not a very experienced pilot and therefore I don't know if a 757 can T/O in tropical storm force winds. apparently, according to rumpletumbler, it is not a such crazy thought.
Why would I want to? because I dont want to lose my money.
I ll tell what I would to see a little more on this board: more constructive answers

 

[rumpletumbler]

I am sure that what I was in was probably about as close to the ops limitations that you could get.

 

[mar]

I'm with ya on that one.

I ll tell what I would to see a little more on this board: more constructive answers

Yeah no kidding.

Here's the deal: You're question has two answers.

One is theoretical: Yeah sure, theoretically, it's possible.

The other is legal/practical: Um probably not. Boeing has a limitation on their product. Delta has a limitation on their service. And the FLL airport manager has a limitation on their liability.

My advice: Wait and see. I know it looks like the hurricane is headed straight for middle Florida but you never know.

It might be worth renting a car now and gettin' outta Dodge *before* the storm. Otherwise you could be stuck there with no transportation outta town.

Good luck.

(Worst case situation: You find a raging hurricane party!)

 

[F16TJ]

saviboy...

Best bet would be to call Delta to see when they intend to quit service to FLL for the storm.

Naval Research Lab is showing FLL in be in hurricane force winds at the time you intend to depart FLL.

DAL won't be flying down there with such a big storm.

Good luck.

Out...

 

[Flic1]

First off, the storm is still too far out to predict where it will hit. No way can they pinpoint Ft Pierce right now. Look at what happened with Charly at the last moment. I think the question of can an airplane take off in high winds is not the issue. The closing of the airport will be the issue and until is is closer, no way you can predict that. Good luck in any event.

 

[LarryinTN]

If FLL has winds much of around 50 knots or more then there won't be any 757s, or any other airliners, there in which you can take off. The airlines will cancel their flights into FLL, and ferry out any airplanes still there, long before that.

 

[nosehair]

GET OUT OF FLORIDA NOW!!!!

That is my.02. I survived Andrew.

 

[rumpletumbler]

Hurricane party anyone? http://www.disasterrelief.org/Disasters/990816Camille/

 

[PHX767]

At AA we stopped operations for 50 kts of wind, I believe. Had to give my books back when I got laid off, so that's my guess. I imagine DL would have similar limits.

Practically, the airlines will suspend operations well in advance of that because:
1) They need to get all of the planes out so they won't get damaged
2) The ground staff needs to get everything put away and tied down
3) A number of employees will themselves evacuate and or be busy boarding up their homes, getting supplies etc

 

[C601]

We took off from Iceland to Miami with winds gusting 60+kts with heavy rain in a 757-200 back in Jan 1996, thats all i say about that ....so its possible.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Mar and PHX767 are right on for this one. I had a MYR overnite last week when that TS was headed for there and they CX'd it. yay.

I would be making other plans yesterday.

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

nosehair,

was with you for that one also. was the last plane out of Marsh, gusting to about 45 by then. quick trip back to PBI!

 

[F16TJ]

C601...

What, that was a normal nice day for Kef!

 

[airksk]

Gotta agree, it probably won't even come down to a situation where the airplane and crew are testing their limitations, the airline will probably keep its airplanes out of there to make sure they don't get stuck. That, or the airport will close and make the decision for them. Check with the airport and airline.

 

[cargoflyr69]

At Shuttle America we can fly with surface winds up to 50kts. above that ops are suspended per or company flight manual. We are flying Saab 340's. I bet Delta/song is similar in their restrictions, but just beause its legal don't make it safe... I bet there will be lots of cxld flights to/from FL this weekend. I just hope those folks are prepared down there. I'll pray for thier safety if/when this thing makes landfall.

 

[Hugh Johnson]

How can someone who is trained and certified by the airline and FAA even have this question?!?!?!?! THAT is the scary thing.

Just do what the airline tells you because obviously you don't have the experience or training to make up your own mind.

Good luck to the passengers. Maybe you should ask them?

 

[BD King]

Yeah no kidding.

Here's the deal: You're question has two answers.

One is theoretical: Yeah sure, theoretically, it's possible.

The other is legal/practical: Um probably not. Boeing has a limitation on their product. Delta has a limitation on their service. And the FLL airport manager has a limitation on their liability.

My advice: Wait and see. I know it looks like the hurricane is headed straight for middle Florida but you never know.

It might be worth renting a car now and gettin' outta Dodge *before* the storm. Otherwise you could be stuck there with no transportation outta town.

Good luck.

(Worst case situation: You find a raging hurricane party!)

Come on MAR. I know darn well that you have handled winds in excess of 50 or 60 knots. It all depends on whether they are sorta down the runway. Hell, I've landed backwards and bet you have too.

 

[mar]

Pulling the plug

My friend, I had a personal cut-off at 40 kts.

It's true that if the wind is pretty much straight down the runway that taking off and landing is not much problem (for the most part...assuming steady wind, no gusts, no contamination).

But I operated mostly on gravel and ice. You just can't handle it that much.

Of course any wind in excess of that and all of your takeoffs and landings are gonna be *into* the wind anyway...regardless of runway orientation.

There's always taxiways, ramps and beaches...

...but we're talking about Delta Airlines in FLL now...

...not 207s in Cold Bay.