Quote:
Originally Posted by cstreit
I don't understand if they can do instrument landings why is landing in fog such a huge deal? I guess since ATC can't see if planes are on the tarmac?
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Because ILS landings are based on visibility requirements, and if its thick fog, you don't have enough forward visibility to land. (unless you have cat 2 or 3, which SAN does not have) You usually can see straight down, but not forward. It looks like Rwy 9 needs 1 mile, and rwy 27 (the favored rwy) needs 1 3/4 miles of visibility, which you are not going to get in fog. These are higher than normal minimums however, as most ILS's are @ 1/2 mile or such, but I'm sure the parking deck/buildings at the approach end of 27 might have something to do with the higher requirements.
http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0810/00373L27.PDF
http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0810/00373IL9.PDF
And USAir has a hub in PHX, so its natural for them to go there.
Either way, I'm not sure why people always rant about having a bad airline travel when it mother nature to blame, not the airlines.