Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Varying magnetic declination forcing changes in runway designation

  • 02-06-2011 9:35pm
    #1
    Su Campu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,279 ✭✭✭


    I've been reading Dick Karl's article in this month's Flying magazine, where he talks about the process involved in changing Tampa airport's runway designations (eg. 36R to 01R) due to the effect of changing magnetic declination over the years. Runway markings and signage had to be changed overnight.

    It reminded me of something I was thinking of a couple of years ago. Has this ever been done at Irish airports? The annual change in Ireland is around 11 minutes west per year. With some airports' stated declinations now 7 or 8 years old (Dublin, Donegal, Sligo, Waterford) the current declination, and hence runway headings, will be up to 1.5° different now than they were when measured.

    In the case of Sligo, with its runways 29/11, the stated declination of 6°58' and runway headings of 287/107° were measured in 2003. With an annual variation of -11', the runway headings would have been 284/104 back in the late 1980s. Were the runway designations then 28/10, and then changed to 29/11?

    Dublin's R16, with a heading of 162° in 2004, will now be 163-164°, and so should be due a change to R17 in within the next 5 years or so as it becomes 165°.


Comments

  • #2
    Blue Punto
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 834 ✭✭✭Blue Punto


    The disused runway at Dublin 2/4 had it's designation changed to 2/3


  • #3
    xflyer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭xflyer


    Yes indeed it did happen, I think in the eighties. R23 became R24 and R16 was R15 or vice versa, I can never remember and of course the reciprocals changed too. 28/10 didn't exist then. I was flying there at the time. I don't remember it being a big deal but of course I was a mere student pilot and we didn't have the internet in the eighties.

    I doubt if Sligo changed, it was fairly new back then if it existed at all.

    We're probably due a changeover in the next few years. The old magnetic pole is always on the move.

    If you fly, check out the actual runway heading versus the published. Several are not quite as per the book.


  • #4
    Growler!!!
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,980 ✭✭✭Growler!!!


    Hi Su, It defo changes as Xflyer said. Any of the old articles for SNN have the runway as 05/23.

    If you look at ILS approach plates it will give you the exact runway heading. Off the top of my head ORK's rwy 17 has a final appr track of 165 degrees. Like wise on 35 - 345 degrees.

    I dont know at what stage they decide to change over but would only need to repaint the numbers and have the relevant AIP, Jepp or Aerad charts changed/updated.


Advertisement