Most funnest approaches!

higney85

higney85

Property of Scheduling
I know the topic line is not grammatically correct but this past month I have had the "pleasure" of going in and out of DCA numerous times. The Mount Vernon Visual for 1 is awesome and only outdone by the River visual for 19! Coming if for 19 10 miles out with 3 miles vis following the river and making the hard right at about 900 feet to avoid the lincoln memorial and land on 19 with a 15G25 knot crosswind was a blast! No FD or guidance other than a river and some recommended altitudes is some real flying. Just wondering if anyone knows of any better visual approaches than DCA. The departure off 1 ranks as the best departure in my book as well! For PNCL guys the DCA layover is hard to beat- 17 hours, awesome hotel and plenty of time to go hop on the subway, grab a bite to eat (check out clydes of 7th and F I believe) and see most of the sights! I think this past 4 day was the best I have ever had here at PNCL..... Next week is not looking fun though..
 
My domicile is going to be DCA when I get through with training at AWAC. I can't wait to shoot the river visuals in to DCA. I used to work at that airport years ago on the ramp and always thought it would be fun to do the approaches and departures.
 
i was flying out of dca this past monday and actually watched some of those approaches - man I was pretty jealous. looks like it would be a blast to fly those...and the sights as you're on departure are pretty damn hard to beat.
 
Visual Approach into Dominica

The expressway visual 31 at night when the Mets are playing was pretty cool. Now if I was only in the left seat so I can check out the score.
 
Philly's approaches can actually be fun depending on how they play it. Doing 230 to the river for 35 to beat a 757 on the crossing runway (or trying to slow down to pass right behind them) can be fun. Also, coming in from the north and cutting loose for the visual for 26 and overflying the city and the ball parks can be a good time.

The DCA Visual to 19 is fun, but try shooting it with a 40 knot tailwind down to about 100 feet.
 
I still like the DCA River 19 the best. It's even "more funner" at night. The Mt Vernon visual to 1? That's kinda boring, actually. It's a straight line with a bridge. Now, when they tell you to circle to land to 33 at the last minute, THAT's fun. :)

I also like PHL on 35.

Approach "Flagship XXX, can you accept 35"
CA: "Uh.....do we have numbers for that?"
Me: "Done it before, we're light. Shouldn't be a problem"
<working ACARS magic"
Me: "Yeah, we're good on 35 up to 45K, we're 43K on landing weight."
CA: "Yeah, we can take it" (works out well, too, since it dumps us out right next to our gate)

So we land on 35. CA's response "DAMN. That's a short runway. Oh, and I thought that 767 for 27R was gonna cream us."
 
kellwolf said:
So we land on 35. CA's response "DAMN. That's a short runway. Oh, and I thought that 767 for 27R was gonna cream us."
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I landed on there the other day with the ATIS winds of 190@10. Worked out to a 9 knot tailwind. I just remember looking down at the ground speed on short final and seeing 175 knots. Probably should have gone around but didn't (yeah, I won't be doing that ever again) and remember hearing "80 knots" as the 1000 foot remaining sign went by.

When it gets really windy the 737s and smaller Airbi will land it. Very impressive. Kel, can you guys take 26?
 
"The Widowmaker" at Roswell is a USAF favorite. New T-38 students, who aren't used to flying a penetration and approach at 300KIAS usually forget that all-important frequency change when rolling on to LOC final.
 
I generally don't touch 35 or 26 in any sort of a tailwind. Philly has a tendency to "understate" the winds to begin with to get people to take 'em. I don't get paid enough to deal with that stress.
 
Seggy said:
ILS 15R circle 4L in BOS puts hair on your chest.
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I'll second that! Chop and Drop! Good fun right there.


crashmbern said:
Visual Approach into Dominica

The expressway visual 31 at night when the Mets are playing was pretty cool. Now if I was only in the left seat so I can check out the score.
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The EV 31 into LGA is a blast as well. Flew that one the other night w/ 350@24G38. Good times, good times. :crazy: :bandit:
 
BobDDuck said:
When it gets really windy the 737s and smaller Airbi will land it. Very impressive. Kel, can you guys take 26?
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I've never done it. The only time we were even remotely light going into PHL, I requested landing numbers for it just to see if we could. ACARS basically laughed at me.
 
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