AUSTIN | ABIA Updates - Page 42

KevinFromTexas · #**821** Posted **Jul 22, 2013, 7:16 PM**

I'm curious about the hotel comment. Are they only suggesting that new hotels would be built along 71, or some that are actually at the airport like DFW has?

LoneStarMike · #**822** Posted **Jul 22, 2013, 7:31 PM**

The two small hotels mentioned would be on airport property. See slide #7 & #14 on the American-Statesman link above. The caption says

Quote:

This area between the Hilton and Highway 71 is wide open for expansion.

So I think these 13 acres are south of the Hilton and north of Highway 71.

Austin1971 · #**823** Posted **Jul 23, 2013, 5:40 PM**

A

the Genral · #**824** Posted **Jul 24, 2013, 1:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin1971

Had a few diversions on Saturday 7/20 from IAH. A Qatar Airways B777 en route from Doha made an appearance. The pilots needed to get an extension since they exceeded their allowable flight time. Nice paint scheme.

What's the protcol on diversions? Were they just sitting on the tarmac when you saw them or at a gate?

Austin1971 · #**825** Posted **Jul 24, 2013, 5:44 AM**

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Jdawgboy · #**826** Posted **Jul 24, 2013, 4:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin1971

Normally diversions are staged on the maintenance ramp for refueling. Sometimes airlines will go directly to a gate if available. All the international flights remain on the maintenance ramp since ABIA has such a small CBP facility at the port. International flights also have to be guarded by the PD while on port. The Qatar B777 the other day remained on the ramp as did the United 739,738 and 319. Occasionally we'll get a 747 cargo divert from DFW and they go to the cargo ramp. ABIA is unique because it serves as the major diversion port for both DFW and IAH.

I guess its due to the airport being lucky to be a former air force base with a huge long runway. Isn't it second in length only to the one in DFW?

KevinFromTexas · #**827** Posted **Jul 24, 2013, 5:02 PM**

I think Denver has the longest one in the country because of the elevation. I think it's 15,000 feet long.

the Genral · #**828** Posted **Jul 24, 2013, 5:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I think Denver has the longest one in the country because of the elevation. I think it's 15,000 feet long.

As far as civilian airports in Texas;
Amarillo, 13500 ft,
Dallas, 13400 ft,
Wichita Falls, 13100 ft,
Austin, 12200 ft,
Fort Worth 12000 ft,
Houston 12000 ft,
San Antonio 11500 ft,
Lubbock 11500 ft,
El Paso 11000 ft

As far as in the US, I don't believe we are in the top 20 in terms of civilian airport longest runways.

ATXboom · #**829** Posted **Jul 24, 2013, 7:09 PM**

Yes... Denver is longest at 16,000

JFK next at 14,575
Then Las Vegas at 14,500
then alb NM
then Dallas...

Interestingly, Edwards airforce base has a 39,600 runway!

Jdawgboy · #**830** Posted **Jul 24, 2013, 8:29 PM**

Why in the world does Amarillo have a 13K foot runway??? It is not exactly a major destination by any means and Im saying that in the kindest way. Same question for Wichita Falls?

GoldenBoot · #**831** Posted **Jul 24, 2013, 8:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Why in the world does Amarillo have a 13K foot runway??? It is not exactly a major destination by any means and Im saying that in the kindest way. Same question for Wichita Falls?

Most of the lengthy runways west of the Mississippi have to do with altitude and weather conditions. Higher and hotter regions require longer runways.

sammyk · #**832** Posted **Jul 24, 2013, 9:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Why in the world does Amarillo have a 13K foot runway??? It is not exactly a major destination by any means and Im saying that in the kindest way. Same question for Wichita Falls?

Amarillo inherited its runway from Amarillo AFB and Wichita Falls shares it with Sheppard AFB.

KevinFromTexas · #**833** Posted **Jul 24, 2013, 9:42 PM**

Yeah it's because of the old air bases. It's the reason why Austin's is as long as it is. Abilene has Dyess Air Force Base. The main runway there is 13,500 feet. It's one of the main bases for the B1 bomber and also C-130 cargo planes. The increased elevation also contributes to them having super long runways since the air is thinner.

jngreenlee · #**834** Posted **Jul 25, 2013, 5:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

The increased elevation also contributes to them having super long runways since the air is thinner.

Once when flying out of Jackson, WY [~6400ft MSL] I was booked on a Dash-8 turboprop plane to Denver. Due to temps being 2 degrees F higher than normal, they let us only fill 6 rows of seats out of 12 or something total. And we were required to use only the back rows of the plane. We also seemed to use nearly the whole runway for takeoff.

alwaysmiling · #**835** Posted **Jul 25, 2013, 5:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jngreenlee

Once when flying out of Jackson, WY [~6400ft MSL] I was booked on a Dash-8 turboprop plane to Denver. Due to temps being 2 degrees F higher than normal, they let us only fill 6 rows of seats out of 12 or something total. And we were required to use only the back rows of the plane. We also seemed to use nearly the whole runway for takeoff.

Yes it's called density altitude and if not taken into account is probably the deadliest mistake a pilot could make upon take off with a normal to heavy load... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Density_altitude

ATXboom · #**836** Posted **Jul 25, 2013, 7:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysmiling

Yes it's called density altitude and if not taken into account is probably the deadliest mistake a pilot could make upon take off with a normal to heavy load... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Density_altitude

It's also why planes can fly faster at greater altitude... there is less resistance (less lift). Same thrust may only result in 300mph speed at 5000 ft but 500mph at 30000 ft.

LoneStarMike · #**837** Posted **Jul 29, 2013, 3:59 PM**

Looks like Austin will get nonstop service to Mexico City beginning October 21.

source

Service to be operated by Aeromar on a regional jet 5 times per week.

AusTex · #**838** Posted **Jul 29, 2013, 5:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneStarMike

Looks like Austin will get nonstop service to Mexico City beginning October 21.

source

Service to be operated by Aeromar on a regional jet 5 times per week.

This will bring the total international destinations to 3; Cancun, San Jose del Cabo and Mexico City. Are there others?

LoneStarMike · #**839** Posted **Jul 29, 2013, 5:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AusTex

Are there others?

None that I'm aware of.

DoubleC · #**840** Posted **Jul 29, 2013, 6:23 PM**

I wonder how long we'll keep this destination before they pull out "for economic reasons".