AUSTIN | ABIA Updates - Page 117

ATCZERO · #**2321** Posted **Nov 5, 2015, 2:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbssfelix

Thanks for the updates! Would moving radar functions to SAT allow for the FAA to give the green light for tighter spacing for inbound flights, or is that still a ways away from being addressed?

This depends on a lot of things. Currently, the delay for starting up AUS approach control in SAT has to do with the radio frequencies. They were having issues today getting them to work properly.

If they get the frequencies working and certified, we could start providing radar services out of SAT using two different long range radars that the centers use. The operation would go from "one in, one out" to 5 miles between aircraft which is a significant increase in traffic volume, but still not ideal.

The other issue going into tomorrow is the center radars don't provide weather data to display on the scopes. SAT radar only reaches a bit north of San Marcos for weather data, so the rest of the airspace could have thunderstorms and there would be no way for us to know.

The good news is, rumor has it that SAT should be getting AUS radar feed piped in to their system by Friday which would give us normal spacing (3 miles) and weather display. The bad news is, unless the tower has their radar display working, the airport will still be limited in it's departure/arrival rate.

jbssfelix · #**2322** Posted **Nov 5, 2015, 6:20 PM**

http://www.austintexas.gov/news/faa-statement

Quote:

The Federal Aviation Administration successfully transferred responsibility for low-altitude airspace in the Austin area to the San Antonio radar approach control.

The radar room at the base of the Austin air traffic control tower flooded during last Friday’s record rainstorm, causing extensive damage throughout the one-story building. The FAA estimates repairs will take several weeks to complete.

During the interim, air traffic controllers from the Austin approach control will continue to work from San Antonio. Over the past few days, FAA technicians completed the complicated task of re-routing Austin’s low-altitude radar data and radio frequencies to control positions in San Antonio. Responsibility for the airspace was handed over at 10:25 p.m. Wednesday.

Traffic is moving at a reduced rate this morning due to thunderstorms in the Austin area. We expect additional delays might occur periodically throughout the day as storm cells move through the area.

Within the next few days, we expect to complete additional efficiency improvements that will enable us to reach about 90 percent of the airport’s normal capacity. For technical and safety reasons, full capacity will not be possible until controllers return to their permanent quarters in Austin.

The agency reopened the Austin air traffic control tower Tuesday night, enabling the airport to operate on both runways.

Travelers should continue to check with their airlines for information about specific flights.

ATCZERO · #**2323** Posted **Nov 6, 2015, 5:12 AM**

The transfer was successful right up until the frequencies went out and the Houston center took the airspace back. We are back to super long delays until some unspecified time tomorrow.

Frequencies are in the process of being hard wired in San Antonio so little rain clouds don't knock us out.

ATCZERO · #**2324** Posted **Nov 7, 2015, 12:39 AM**

AUS is operational again out of San Antonio tracon. Frequencies are hard wired and working great. Unfortunately we are still using center radar so increased separation is in effect.

the Genral · #**2325** Posted **Nov 7, 2015, 1:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATCZERO

AUS is operational again out of San Antonio tracon. Frequencies are hard wired and working great. Unfortunately we are still using center radar so increased separation is in effect.

Great job to all involved. My puny brain can't totally grasp all the technology that makes this possible from over 75 miles away, but bravo

ATCZERO · #**2326** Posted **Nov 7, 2015, 6:49 PM**

AUS arrival rate is set at 17 per hour and can probably only go up to 20 an hour with our current setup. Flight delays have been around 10 to 15 minutes from what I've heard.

They are flying some tech specialist down from Kansas City to work on the radar feed. We could increase our arrival rate if we could get the Austin radar feed to work in San Antonio. Of course, they would have to staff more in San Antonio for us to open more positions otherwise the rate would probably stay at 20 per hour even with the Austin radar feed.

GoldenBoot · #**2327** Posted **Nov 7, 2015, 10:58 PM**

Damn it. Now SA can stick it to us!

JK

ATCZERO · #**2328** Posted **Nov 8, 2015, 11:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

Damn it. Now SA can stick it to us!

JK

Not really!

Austin's radar feed is now running in San Antonio. I'd say we were running around 70 to 80 percent of what a normal Sunday looks like. There are a bunch of weird automation issues that slow us down but we are finding work arounds. We could run 90% or greater of normal traffic volume if they could staff it but I'm not sure they will.

Even with our slowed arrival rate, we were consistently busier than SAT was.

Jdawgboy · #**2329** Posted **Nov 8, 2015, 11:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATCZERO

Not really!

Even with our slowed arrival rate, we were consistently busier than SAT was.

Lol love it. Our airport is limping and still outperforming SAT

DoubleC · #**2330** Posted **Nov 9, 2015, 4:51 AM**

@ATCZero: By the way, I'm curious to know as to why the Speedbird on its early days at Austin usually used runway 17L landing and departures, but later on it almost always used 17R (never caught it using 17L again, actually). Was it only using 17L at first so people could get a good glimpse of Austin's first transatlantic 787? I see that the 777 has sometimes used the shorter 17L as well, although I can't say that's a good thing.

Or perhaps usage of 17R is because of the hot temperatures here, so therefore the airplanes need more runway length for take-off during the summer.

ATCZERO · #**2331** Posted **Nov 9, 2015, 7:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleC

@ATCZero: By the way, I'm curious to know as to why the Speedbird on its early days at Austin usually used runway 17L landing and departures, but later on it almost always used 17R (never caught it using 17L again, actually). Was it only using 17L at first so people could get a good glimpse of Austin's first transatlantic 787? I see that the 777 has sometimes used the shorter 17L as well, although I can't say that's a good thing.

Or perhaps usage of 17R is because of the hot temperatures here, so therefore the airplanes need more runway length for take-off during the summer.

When they first started flying in to Austin it was March and cool weather. They also had a photo op with the media on their first day which is why they got 17L/35R. Their load factor might not have been as high too. When summer hits, they always take the longer runway because of the temperature and their weight. Even some of the regular aircraft going to JFK or BOS will take the longer runway because of weight.

From Oct. 30th till about Nov. 5th or 6th they were limited to only using 17L/35R because the RV/Temporary Tower was only able to see the full length of that runway. It was either use that runway or don't fly in or out of Austin. Now, things should be pretty normal again.

ATCZERO · #**2332** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 8:40 PM**

Operations have been running fairly smooth for the past several days. It's not quite normal but close enough to where regular commercial flights and passengers can't tell a difference.

Austin is scheduled to reopen the approach control Sunday night. If the transition doesn't go smoothly, Austin airspace will be taken over by Houston Center until it's fixed.

I've been able to watch a good amount of the SAT operation and they work a TON of military. It's impressive. There's a giant monitor (TSD - traffic situation display) pulled up for SAT and AUS (while we are here) and it breaks down the arrivals and departures per quarter hour. For San Antonio, their breakdown includes arrivals and departures off of RND, SSF, SKF and SAT. For Austin, we are only displaying Bergstrom and no other satellite airports. The majority of quarters displayed show AUS working more traffic than those other 4 airports combined.

Digatisdi · #**2333** Posted **Nov 18, 2015, 2:25 AM**

ABIA back up to full capacity after successful radar control transfer

September numbers have been released

Total passenger traffic for September 2015 was 964,975, up 12.5% compared to September 2014. September 2015 enplanements totaled 481,042, up 12%.

GoldenBoot · #**2334** Posted **Nov 18, 2015, 10:55 PM**

This B788 landed at AUS for F1...so why is AUS not on this list? I assume we may be considered an "alternate?"

For someone in the know, what is the physical differences between being a "destination" airport and an "alternate?" Just curious...

jbssfelix · #**2335** Posted **Nov 19, 2015, 2:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

This B788 landed at AUS for F1...so why is AUS not on this list? I assume we may be considered an "alternate?"

For someone in the know, what is the physical differences between being a "destination" airport and an "alternate?" Just curious...

My guess is that we don't have the jetway infrastructure to handle 380/747's (dual bridges, etc), but we do have the runway length/depth to handle the big boys. Therefore, we're not a great place to board/deplane 3-400+ passengers, but during weather or other emergencies, those guys can safely divert to AUS.

GoldenBoot · #**2336** Posted **Nov 19, 2015, 5:25 PM**

That makes since, thanks. Nonetheless, I don't think Toledo-Express Airport has jetways to handle a B788 or Memphis to handle the A388. There seems to be a number of smaller, more cargo oriented airports on the list. Which leads me to still question it if ABIA can handle said aircraft (albeit not on a regular basis - which may be the reason in itself).

Does anyone know if the expansion of the east concourse will include the ability to handle at least one B788 (because I know there is no near-future need to accommodate a A388)? I do not remember the specifics. However, I think it is being designed to handle one B773 and two B789's simultaneously (or visa versa).

Jdawgboy · #**2337** Posted **Nov 23, 2015, 6:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATCZERO

The majority of quarters displayed show AUS working more traffic than those other 4 airports combined.

Did any of the SA people make comments about that?

Just curious...

ATCZERO · #**2338** Posted **Nov 24, 2015, 9:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Did any of the SA people make comments about that?

Just curious...

A few, but I think everyone already knew that.

AUS · #**2339** Posted **Dec 1, 2015, 12:23 AM**

Any new news, rumors, or predictions for upcoming flights?

It's been a while since the last route announcement from Austin.

DoubleC · #**2340** Posted **Dec 1, 2015, 7:14 AM**

When did we loose the Philly route? I assume it was due to the American-US merger. It's rare nowadays that we lose routes, lol. I knew they used an e175 on that route, but I never saw any of them on FS2004 when flying into Austin, so that's when I searched through US Airways Express flight plans for the route. Apparently it didn't last a year since none of the flight plans for 2013 and beyond had the route (it started in late 2012).

Just a small curiosity. I doubt there was much demand for such a route anyways, or need since there was already much access to the Northeast via NYC and DC. At least, I doubt I'd every fly Austin to Philly.