The tragic collapse of last night in Washington has really disturbed me. There is no doubt that there are many other people in the country and the world. My thoughts were shocked by the affected person and the family in the entire industry.
It is frustrating to see people's blame at so soon, especially how many problems and factors know such horrible tragedies. At this point, we don't know why the winter nights of the two planes in the Washington Special Economic Zone are very clear but busy.
Some people today asked me about DCA's challenges, so I think I will share some ideas, which may be a way for me to deal with the incident last night.
DCA is a complex airport, there are many reasons
In the past few years, I have flew to DCA many times. In my career, I flew out of the busy DC airspace hundreds of times. The captain flying with me has operated longer at the airport.
Everyone in the industry understands the ins and outs of DCA and the complexity of operations. Pilots and controllers are the largest professionals. They attach great importance to their work and do everything they can from yesterday.
DCA is a very complicated airport. It has its design, busy airspace, location, business requirements, and restrictions on the restrictions of the airspace and government.
It was originally built for the aviation era
DCA is an airport built for the slower prop to be built in the 1940s. The airport has three runways. The most time is still enough for today's jet traffic, but it is relatively short according to today's standards. The design of the airport forced the complicated ballet arrangement between the intersection runway. Multiple runways are used for taking off and landing at the alternate time, usually in fast shooting inheritance.
Limited space on the ground perform large -scale operations
The area of the airport is limited, and it is necessary to pay precise attention to the details of the air and the ground. On the ground, aircraft often must cross other event runways to the apron. This requires the accurate language and time of pilots and controllers.
Leading is busy. DCA is located in the heart of DC, and there are many other airports in the area. This means that the broadcast traffic in the area is bustling every day, becoming more busy in bad weather or national activities, and these activities have further increased transportation.
National Congress Building is located in the north of this field
Because the distance with the Capitol, the national shopping mall and the White House is close, the airspace in the north of DCA is banned. Unlike ordinary airports that avoid low -altitude turns, DCA set off to the north, and it is necessary to immediately turn left at 300 feet to stay in the southern part of the prohibited Capitol.
Strange ways caused by airspace requirements
The aircraft that arrived in the south must follow the arrival of the Potoma River, forcing the impressive low altitude to finally turn consistent with the runway 15 or 19. This has made the RNP method easier to guide each circle.
Even when landing in the north, the aircraft still required the aircraft to cross the river to reduce the noise and force the soft but unnecessary instantaneous turn.
The flow of constant optimization is needed
Many times, Tata demands that aircraft in the area where the 33rd runway 33 is sometimes a larger aircraft. This operation allows more effective aircraft to use the runway. Thirdly, this manipulation is safe and common, but low -altitude control requires spiritual clarity and focus to be safely completed.
Too large traffic passes through the airspace
Military helicopters are usually very close to DCA in low -altitude regions, which makes the incidents last night shocked, but it is not uncommon. This is the same action that occurs in the area at the same time. Although (again) is not essentially unsafe, complex operations that are close to the venue require more attention to details to ensure that operation is safe.
Convenience makes DCA's popularity more and more
Over the years, DCA has seduced it closely with the city. Although the airport is limited, Congress has recently approved 5 additional flights from DCA this year.
… And increase safety and weather
In addition to the airspace and the airport environment, you have other factors to make the operation of DCA more complicated. It is close to the National Congress Building to take other security measures. The weather in the area is also very dynamic, adding a layer of complexity. All these factors are together to make DCA one of the more challenging airports operating in the United States in the United States.
Change is not easy, it may not be popular
Although there is no doubt that the operation will be recovered quickly, the long way to DCA is unclear. In the ideal world, you will build a new airport nearby, with a 9,000 -foot runway at the airport and build greater profits from the prohibited airspace and VFR helicopter route. However, with the density of the DC region, the cost of the new airport and the lack of useless land.
Congress can fly to the airport less, but this will be unpopular and has a significant economic impact on the area, airlines and government efficiency.
The collapse like yesterday may be more aggressive for thinking about DCA operations. A pie in the sky I have always thought of will turn off DCA to airline traffic, and establish a high -speed track between DCA and Dulles (faster than the current silver lines) to transfer all business to larger international airports. The DCA will then only open military and government traffic or close them together.
However, at this point, the fact is that no one knows what it will happen. There will be enough time to debate and make clear the next step.
For now, let's stop and remember and respect their memory
The most important thing is that this tragedy is the inflection point of DCA. But today, reflection and mourning are the most suitable. May we learn lessons from this tragedy and look for a way to never let it happen to respect the deceased and his family.
