Glad you've continued your albeit infrequent blog posts, CaptainVector.
Quick, off topic (from your most recent blog-post) question - I've read about the temporary processes (additional SID/STAR routings) the FAA is implementing for the L.A. area airports with regard to anticipated Super Bowl traffic. What is ATC at LAX anticipating traffic-wise for Super Bowl weekend? Any temporary procedure changes for taxiing aircraft? Has LAWA earmarked any additional temporary parking beside that available at Atlantic and Signature FBOs? Thanks in advance.
We are expecting an influx of visitors, although I don't have the numbers at hand. There is a slot system in place for transient traffic beginning several days beforehand. Local pilots and flight schools have been advised that practice approaches and pattern work may not be accommodated on Super Bowl weekend. There will be a large temporary flight restriction area for the afternoon/evening of the game - basically it will be on the same scale as if the president was in town. Each of the LAX FBOs (Atlantic and Signature) has designated overflow parking on some of the adjacent air freight ramps (south pads and Imperial Terminal). Air freight operations that would normally be on those ramps have been displaced to the west end of the airport (west remote gates). It has been stated that LAX will not be closing any active movement areas to accommodate extra parking, and we therefore expect that there will be a lot of "drop and go" operations, wherein the airplane lands, discharges passengers, and then leaves for parking at some other airport in the area. Most of the local airports have made arrangements for extra traffic. Santa Monica, for instance, has extended their tower operating hours two hours later than normal. Here at LAX, we have extra staffing scheduled and procedures for opening additional positions. This is to the great annoyance of some of my coworkers, who had expected to have the day off in order to participate in various non-ATC festivities. The local plane spotters are looking forward to the event, as there are additional airline flights scheduled to bring in Cincinnati Bengals fans. I know that there was a big showing of interest in the arrival of the team a couple of days ago, with at least one of the plane spotter YouTube channels live-streaming the event. Los Angeles is the home of one of the Goodyear blimps, and it has been up everyday this week. Someone else has a blimp in town as well. There will be a military fly-over before the start of the game; they were out practicing yesterday.
As an aside, it seems worthy of mention that there are at least three different YouTube channels that live stream air traffic at LAX. I hear some of you asking "Why would someone do this?" For me, it's a reminder that I often take it for granted that I have to look out the windows at airplanes from all around the world. It sure beats working!
Glad you've continued your albeit infrequent blog posts, CaptainVector.
ReplyDeleteQuick, off topic (from your most recent blog-post) question - I've read about the temporary processes (additional SID/STAR routings) the FAA is implementing for the L.A. area airports with regard to anticipated Super Bowl traffic. What is ATC at LAX anticipating traffic-wise for Super Bowl weekend? Any temporary procedure changes for taxiing aircraft? Has LAWA earmarked any additional temporary parking beside that available at Atlantic and Signature FBOs? Thanks in advance.
We are expecting an influx of visitors, although I don't have the numbers at hand. There is a slot system in place for transient traffic beginning several days beforehand. Local pilots and flight schools have been advised that practice approaches and pattern work may not be accommodated on Super Bowl weekend. There will be a large temporary flight restriction area for the afternoon/evening of the game - basically it will be on the same scale as if the president was in town. Each of the LAX FBOs (Atlantic and Signature) has designated overflow parking on some of the adjacent air freight ramps (south pads and Imperial Terminal). Air freight operations that would normally be on those ramps have been displaced to the west end of the airport (west remote gates). It has been stated that LAX will not be closing any active movement areas to accommodate extra parking, and we therefore expect that there will be a lot of "drop and go" operations, wherein the airplane lands, discharges passengers, and then leaves for parking at some other airport in the area. Most of the local airports have made arrangements for extra traffic. Santa Monica, for instance, has extended their tower operating hours two hours later than normal. Here at LAX, we have extra staffing scheduled and procedures for opening additional positions. This is to the great annoyance of some of my coworkers, who had expected to have the day off in order to participate in various non-ATC festivities. The local plane spotters are looking forward to the event, as there are additional airline flights scheduled to bring in Cincinnati Bengals fans. I know that there was a big showing of interest in the arrival of the team a couple of days ago, with at least one of the plane spotter YouTube channels live-streaming the event. Los Angeles is the home of one of the Goodyear blimps, and it has been up everyday this week. Someone else has a blimp in town as well. There will be a military fly-over before the start of the game; they were out practicing yesterday.
DeleteAs an aside, it seems worthy of mention that there are at least three different YouTube channels that live stream air traffic at LAX. I hear some of you asking "Why would someone do this?" For me, it's a reminder that I often take it for granted that I have to look out the windows at airplanes from all around the world. It sure beats working!