Double landing at LHR????

Both runways can be used at the same time but the aircraft separation will still need to be met. i.e. One aircraft on 27L will be at 4 miles and another aircraft on 27R at 7 miles.

I mean the planes are not right next to each other, so they have 4 mile spacing or what ever between them.

How can they not be parallel approaches – Heathrow has parallel runways?!?

That pic shows two a/c on approaches to different runways but they are certainly not parallel. In good visibility and as long as both pilots are happy it is possible to do a parallel approach at LHR.

If I remember rightly under ICAO rules runways have to be a certain distance apart to be considered as 2 separate runways for operational purposes. I think it’s something like 760 meters. If the forecast weather conditions are particularly satisfactory you can even use the the other runway as your destination alternate.

They do it at SFO all the time

I thought that Heathrow could not allow to operate a double landing because their runways are to close together, in the Airliner World Issue May 2003, it said it would be unsafe to have an aircraft on approach for the parellel runways at the same time, because it would be a breach of safety due to the closeness of the runways!

Thanks people. 🙂

Yep, we do it all the time and yes guys you are right, it’s early in the morning. We usually land on 27R while the BAs land on 27L. They land on 27L as it’s a shorter taxi to the stand in terminal 4.

Hi.

Yes LN strike eagle nailed it in one. In the mornings there is no real rush of aircraft taking off, its more so on the landing side. So to get things moving quicker, before the take off start, they use both runways.

It’s only early morning when all the long haul and cargo stuff comes in. I’ve never seen it in the day, but my mate did when he was there at 5-6am for a flight to Leeds.