Thread by @scottiebateman

I managed to walk about 12km yesterday and throughout the walk was constantly looking up as aircraft landed on runway 27 @SanDiegoAirport. As @Airbus A350 destinations go this one is a little unusual approach wise… Follow on my walk as I explain…#WePilots #aviation #SanDiego

Unlike other major #airports San Diego doesn’t have an Instrument Landing System (ILS) on R27,I’ll explain why later.The approach is also a little steeper than the norm to avoid small hills on the approach. It’s stunning day or night as you fly through the city to land. #WePilots

From Balboa Park most aircraft descend using a GPS approach that follows a descent angle of 3.5 degrees from a approach fix to the runway. An imaginary descent path to follow to the runway using GPS rather than an ILS beam from the ground. But why is SAN an unusual destination?

A car park.The building would interfere with an ILS and makes 540m of the runway (hidden here) unusable for landing but usable for takeoff. It’s also a wide runway at 60+m. So short, wide, higher descent angle, no precision approach, all require some thought & planning. #WePilots

It’s a great place to fly into but like all airports it has its quirks. In our briefings why endeavour to identify all of these and discuss how we as a team will manage them. Everything from the approach, landing, stopping, parking, and of course a go around if we have to.

It’s a favourite destination of mine as it’s a gateway to other adventures. Hope you enjoyed the little explainer and happy to answer questions whilst I wait for the sun to make an appearance on the West Coast. #TimeDifferenceInsomnia #WePilots #aviation #Travel #traveling