Check Your Runways!

Live
1

Please, Check Your Runways!

I have noticed many of the pilots on Expert server are not using the correct runway to comply with the wind. Using the proper runway configuration is key to prevent gridlock resulting from opposing traffic.

How do I Know What Runway to Use?

There are a few ways to figure out what runway you should be using.

1. Check FlightRadar24

You can easily check FlightRadar24 (no account or subscription needed!) and check the airport you’re at in real life. Aircraft will almost always be taking off in landing in the optimal direction (with a headwind), and conditions should be very similar or identical in IF.

2. Click on the Airport

Most airports in the sim have live weather. Simply click on the dot with the airport code, and you can immediately see the winds (it will look something like 330@3kt). It’s very simple to decode - 330 is the wind direction in degrees, and 3kts is the windspeed in knots. Sometimes, it might look like 330@3G9KT, the “G9” meaning “gusting” to 9 knots.

3. Use METAR

You can use the website Metar-Taf.com to easily scroll around the world and click on almost any airport to view its most recent METAR report. The pop up once you click on it will make it very apparent what runway to use.

Why is it Important?

1. Makes it Easier for You

You always want to takeoff and land with a headwind. A lot of the time, some crosswind is inevitable, but if you use the proper runway, you can minimize the crosswind you get. If you want to learn how to easily calculate your crosswind component, this is a good video.

2. Prevents Gridlock

When everyone is on the same page with runway usage, it makes traffic flow much easier. You don't have to worry that you're going to takeoff and have a head on collision with someone.

3. Promotes Realism

As I mentioned, in real life, planes are going to takeoff and land with the most headwind possible. It's a very easy way to model realism.
19 Likes
2

Yesss! This is very important 👏

4 Likes
3

This. Or, read up more about the airport you are heading to. Some airports have default/preferred runway configuration and you may need to land with more crosswind or a little tailwind.

4 Likes
4

I thought this is a “check Runaway assignment” at the first place lol

2 Likes
5

As someone who just learned how to interpret TAFs and METARs and finds them actually kinda fun to decode in my collage’s aviation Meteorology class, if anyone needs help understanding the meaning… Please don’t hesitate to reach out 🤗

And, @Mort thanks as always! Your posts are never not informative ♥️

2 Likes
6

i just look at the flight that im about to do and the departure runway and arrival.
it changes when winds are not in my favour

3 Likes
7

Same honestly. FR24 is my best friend when planning flights. Also equally is windy

3 Likes
8

Agreed!

It’s also good to check if there’s a weird runway closure or something of that sort.

If @United403 is not available, there are a few good resources, like this website to decode METAR:

1 Like
9

The E6B calculator is an evil creature

1 Like
10

Cannot stress this enough, please check FR24 for up to date runways!!!

1 Like
11

Realest thing ever. It’s a great tool but you just wanna snap it in half sometimes haha 🤣

1 Like
12

It’s really no fun to come into an airport and dealing with traffic using the opposite end of the runway. It puts you in a tight spot - you either risk a head on collision, or have to use the wrong runway too.

1 Like
13

Yup. I also don’t always listen to the green, yellow, and red runway markings on IF just because they’re sometimes inaccurate with IRL flows.

1 Like
14

I find it ironic that the person telling everyone to land on the correct runways is the same person that landed an A380 on a runway at LAX that isn’t used for arrivals and isn’t suitable for A380 operations, but to each their own I suppose 🫠

Screenshot 2024-11-23 at 10.59.47 AM
Screenshot 2024-11-23 at 10.59.47 AM1920×900 66.3 KB

20 Likes
15

In my defense, I was going off SimBrief. But I should have checked, you’re right. However, my topic is more aimed at making sure the winds favor the runway. Why is 25R not used for A380s at LAX? It’s the longer of the 25s.

1 Like
16

Well, someone needs to take their own advice then 😂

25R may be longer, but it’s also a lot narrower and does not have adequate separation with the parallel taxiways. A380s will always land on the north complex runways at LAX. Length is not a factor, all of LAX’s runways are plenty long in the first place.

10 Likes
17

I was suggesting people check FR24 for general patterns of runway usage at a given airport, not what aircraft types are landing on which runway. I did, in fact, reference FR24 before landing, to verify which direction traffic was moving in (I was 99% sure it would be on the 25/24 side, as operations usually are, but never hurts to check), but I did not check which runway A380s in particular were using. I’ve landed on 25R with the A380 plenty of times with ATC active and never had an issue. I know now, and will keep this in mind next time.

18

Airports don’t ALWAYS use headwinds. Many airports that are noise sensitive or terrain-limited have limits up to how much of a tailwind they will still operate in their desired configuration so your first point is important to see what configuration the IRL airport is using, however it won’t necessarily be the headwind (green/orange) runways in IF.

Many runways also can’t handle the type of aircraft you are using, usually Code F aircraft (B748/A388) but could also be some widebody aircraft. Check charts (available for free with Simbrief) if unsure. I fly the A380 a lot so I always have the Code F or A380 specific taxi charts available so I don’t clip a wingtip on any other aircraft or buildings

5 Likes
19

Thank you for pointing that out. I said “always,” since that’s a pretty solid rule of thumb in most situations. I changed it to “almost always.”

20

Nah its not that bad once ya get the hang of it 😂

1 Like