Tuesday, 2 November 2010

"Speedbird 744 looks like you're on the ground"

 "Denver Tower Speedbird744 Thats Afirm. We are Just inside the airfield boundary and making our way back to Foxtrot as instructed"

"Understood Speedbird 744 - Gotta love those overuns"

Heading into Denver, at 12 miles out, it became apparent that we were not at all picking up any ILS, so we picked up the visual approach a little high and hot. Ok a lot high and very hot. Nonetheless, Captain Hoppie decided to get a shot at the Space Shuttle approach: zero thrust, high-altitude airport, landing speed 165 knots with full flaps. The actual approach went fine, landing was a greaser spot on the airspeed, and centerline tracking was excellent. Reversers came out as required and then it was just waiting for the 165 knots to bleed off. Which took "a wee bit" longer than expected, due to (most likely) mishandling of the autobrakes and failure of the crew to detect this in time. BAW744 went straight off the end of the runway (but perfectly on centerline) and came to a full stop 20 meters before the airport perimeter fence. Ok, this still counts as "landed at Denver". With the wheel brakes showing zero temperature accumulation, BAW744 leisurely ran back to the terminal and we could nicely view QFA25 coming in.
A good practice for our next stop: Houston, Texas.

Thanks to all the ATC guys in Denver Flight Information Region tonight. You were superb at helping us clear traffic on the way in and out.

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