The proper usage of runways at LSZH (Zurich)
(based off of real world procedures)
Hello dear Infinite Flight community!
It has come to my attention that Zurich, the biggest and busiest airport in Switzerland has gotten very popular ever since the 21.4 update, which brought 3D buildings to Zurich.
As a Swiss IFC user and aviation enthusiast that ever so often goes spotting at Zurich, I know my way around the usual and unusual airport procedures.
For the sake of everyone, I will keep this as short, but also as informative as possible:
Standard runway usage: (Standard meaning the winds are below 8kts)
During the standard usage of runways following is used:
Runways 28 and 16 are used for takeoff, runway 14 is used for landings.
Now once it is 1830Z, the runway usage changes due to noise-restrictions in some places:
Runway 28 is used for landings and runway 32 is used for takeoffs.
Runway 16/34 is generally only used as taxiway for the arrivals from runway 28 at this time.
(These two runway usages are used almost always at Zurich)
Note: the wind direction does not influence the standard runway usage if the wind speeds remain under 8kts
Strong winds from the west: (Strong, meaning winds that are 8kts or stronger)
During strong winds from the west following is used:
Runway 28 is used for landings and runway 32 is used for takeoffs.
Runway 16/34 is generally only used as taxiway for the arrivals from runway 28 at this time, but can also be used as departure runway at pilots discretion if the aircraft is heavy.
Strong winds from the east (Strong, meaning winds that are 8kts or stronger)
During strong winds from the east following is used:
Runway 10 is used for takeoffs and runway 14 is used for landings.
Runway 16/34 is generally not used during this time.
(This usage of runways occurs very very rarely at Zurich)
Strong winds from the north: (Strong, meaning winds that are 8kts or stronger)
During strong winds from the north following is used:
Runway 32 is used for takeoffs and runway 34 is used for landings, although runway 34 can be used as departure runway at pilots discretion if the aircraft is heavy.
Runway 28/10 is generally not used during this time.
Strong winds from the south: (Strong meaning winds that are 8kts or stronger)
During strong winds from the south following is used:
Runway 16 is used for takeoffs and runway 14 is used for landings.
Runway 28/10 is generally not used during this time.
For the days Saturday and Sunday there are some more runway usages at different times due to noise restrictions in the area, but for now this should be enough haha!
In the end of the day it is up to ATC (when they are active) to use these runway usages in Infinite Flight, but I would certainly be glad to see this being used in Infinite Flight to add an even bigger realism factor.
If you’ve made it all the way until here, thanks for taking your time to read this and I hope you’ll use some of this in your future of flight-simulation :)
This is it from me for now, until then, stay safe, and until next time!
-Justin