flight patterns

FlavorFlav

FlavorFlav

New Member
Hey guys~ I'm really new to all the aviation stuff (hence the number of posts) but i've always been interested and I have a question and it's kinda lame... anyways here it goes:

I live about 45 minutes south of PHL in delaware, and I have been watching the paths the planes take into PHL and I have noticed that sometimes (not very often) they circle over to the south (over Wilmington, DE) and then curve back around to the north to PHL. why does the ATC have them take different routes every once in a while? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just wondering and thans for any help!
 
Not sure if what I've done 1000 times is what you mean, but as mentioned this might be the "Philly S-Box" turn done for spacing. Many times during heavy arrival times, we'll be on a normal downwind for the airport when approach gives us a series of 90 degree turns in the shape of a boxy "S." This allows them to cram more aircraft into less airspace, preventing us from 35-mile finals.

Hope this helps. If not, lemme know. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/spin2.gif
 
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