Tapes show pilots calmly averted D/FW collision - Airport worker failed to get OK to cross runway

The Dallas Morning News ^ | January 1, 2003 | By HOLLY WARREN / The Dallas Morning News

[freeper12]

>>"American 2421 heavy is aborting


Just curious...what does "heavy" mean in this context?

[rabidralph]

Probably means that it's one of the larger jets (777).

[leadpenny]

Someone propably has the exact criteria but the triple 7 added new meaning to the suffix "Heavy." I believe it started back in the days of the 747's, DC-10's and L-1011's.

[Ez2BRepub]

"Heavy" usually means a big plane like a 747 or any other plane of considerable size.
If I am not mistaken it is used in this manner to let other pilots and controllers know that a big plane is in the area for things such as spacing to avoid wake turbulence and take off and landing distances.
Maybe others can add other reasons but that is my understanding.

[alfa6]

IIRC it denotes an aircraft fully fueled and loaded.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[leadpenny]

Thank goodness the crew was not in posession of any guns or nail clippers when they made an almost routine decision to abort the take-off. /s

[snopercod]

The term 'HEAVY' is actually used to warn other aircraft of possible
hazards because of wake turbulence. The term is used to remind
controllers and pilots to allow for adequate separation of aircraft
using the same routes. FAA definitions are:

                Term:           Take-off weight:                                Examples:
                -----           -------------------------               ---------------------
                HEAVY           greater than 300,000 lbs.               747, DC-10, B-52, C-5

                LARGE           12,500 - 300,000 lbs.                   C-130, 727, 737, 757

                SMALL           less than 12,500 lbs                    T-38, C-12


There are complex rules about the amount of separation based on what
type is following what type (HEAVY following HEAVY, LIGHT following
HEAVY, etc.) and in what environment (ground taxiing, IFR final
approach, straight VFR flight, etc.). Basically other planes follow
HEAVYs with more separation than SMALLs.

A Boeing 727-231 has a take-off weight of 142,000 lbs., in the LARGE
category.

[leadpenny]

LOL!

I am reminded of the time when Hillary! was making one of her junkets overseas. She and her other beauties were set to depart Andrews when they were told they had too much baggage. When they finally got going, the airplane had to abort a take-off due to engine problems (flames were observed at the exhaust of one of the engines). The headline on Free Republic was:

Hillary Overweight - Blows Flames Out Rear!

[Henchman]

In re: near collision with convoy of trucks... two of the five most serious close calls in 2001 occurred at D/FW Airport. I want to know if these are truck loads of illegal Mexicans or are they driven by illegal Mex's?

[Henchman]

...(Hillary) and her other beauties" LOLOLOLOLOL

[WaterDragon]

By reporting himself as "heavy" the pilot was indeed identifying his craft as one of the biggies....an apt warning since he'd be trying to stop the monster before reaching the trucks. And who knew where those trucks might wander while he was trying to stop. The controllers should have been able to scream at the truck drivers to get the he** off the runway fast....or die. Good pilots don't panic. They are dedicated to good, safe operation of their craft.

Which we could all take a lesson from. When we take time out to throw hissie fits, the important work doesn't get done. Which makes it more understandable why the emotion-centered liberals never accomplish anything.

[libertylover]

Last year my wife and I flew to London and the pilot aborted the landing. As we went around he explained the reason for the abort was that there was another plane on the runway. Then he added, "Don't worry. There's no charge for this extra flying".

[alfa6]

RE No 8: Thanks for the details, snopercod

And a Happy New Year to you and yours

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Trust but Verify]

Oh, stop.

[Redleg Duke]

Actually, the others were correct. "Heavy" implies a large aircraft (747, DC-10, MD-11, 757, 767, 777, etc.) as opposed to a 727, 737, etc.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

ATC classed aircraft into three classes:

Heavy - 747 size and up
Medium - 727 size roughly
Light - Significantly smaller than a 727

[ml/nj]

IIRC it denotes an aircraft fully fueled and loaded.

Why post an answer when you haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about?

When I take off in two-seat Cessna single engine trainer with a second passenger and full fuel, do you think I should alert the tower that "Cessna-two-eight-zero-heavy is ready for takeoff"? LOL!

(As others have said here, "heavy" originally identified 747s, 1011s, and DC10s, and has grown to include other wide body aircraft that generate substaintial wake turbulence.)

ML/NJ

[alfa6]

Please see #8 where I thanked snopercod for posting the correct details.

alfa6 ;>}

[alfa6]

Not having a good day at the keyboard, that should have been #14 not #8

alfa6 ;>}