Another incident ?
06-30-2024, 05:59 AM
#11
gets time off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,231
Controller tried to get a hold of them on CTAF.
Obviously not all the details are known, but going back to the LiveATC feed: They made no calls on the CTAF about pushing, taxing, taking the runway, and departing. A Republic flight tried to call them as they were taxing out( not sure what they were calling them about as they just asked if the SWA was up on frequency). An ops vehicle tried to call them stating the runway was still closed. The controller before the airspace/tower opened tried to call them. No response.
Obviously not all the details are known, but going back to the LiveATC feed: They made no calls on the CTAF about pushing, taxing, taking the runway, and departing. A Republic flight tried to call them as they were taxing out( not sure what they were calling them about as they just asked if the SWA was up on frequency). An ops vehicle tried to call them stating the runway was still closed. The controller before the airspace/tower opened tried to call them. No response.
06-30-2024, 06:27 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2015
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Controller tried to get a hold of them on CTAF.
Obviously not all the details are known, but going back to the LiveATC feed: They made no calls on the CTAF about pushing, taxing, taking the runway, and departing. A Republic flight tried to call them as they were taxing out( not sure what they were calling them about as they just asked if the SWA was up on frequency). An ops vehicle tried to call them stating the runway was still closed. The controller before the airspace/tower opened tried to call them. No response.
Obviously not all the details are known, but going back to the LiveATC feed: They made no calls on the CTAF about pushing, taxing, taking the runway, and departing. A Republic flight tried to call them as they were taxing out( not sure what they were calling them about as they just asked if the SWA was up on frequency). An ops vehicle tried to call them stating the runway was still closed. The controller before the airspace/tower opened tried to call them. No response.
Hard to imagine a 121 pilot being this careless.
06-30-2024, 06:32 AM
#13
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06-30-2024, 06:50 AM
#14
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Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 240
I wonder if they were monitoring the actual tower frequency? Even if so they still should’ve been making calls on that which I guess wasn’t happening either?
question from a dumb pointy mil jet guy: any particular reason for the CTAF frequency to be different from the regular tower frequency? Other small nearby airfields that use the CTAF freq continuously? Or something else? Thanks
question from a dumb pointy mil jet guy: any particular reason for the CTAF frequency to be different from the regular tower frequency? Other small nearby airfields that use the CTAF freq continuously? Or something else? Thanks
06-30-2024, 07:29 AM
#15
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In that case they could hypthetically switch CTAF to tower freq when tower is closed, but too many folks would goof that up so best just to stick with one published CTAF.
06-30-2024, 07:33 AM
#16
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If they knew they were taking off at 0545 than they also knew they would need to contact tower. The airport goes controlled at that time. In fact stating it was 0545 makes the situation a bit worse. A takeoff from a controlled field without clearance.
I suspect with a scheduled push time of 0540 crews often tried to get off the gate a bit early so they could depart prior to 0545 and avoid having to talk to tower and a possible delay. I don't know why they did not make the required CTAF radio calls or even monitor the frequency. It's possible maybe they had the wrong frequency dialed in as I can't see a airline crew skipping those calls.
I suspect with a scheduled push time of 0540 crews often tried to get off the gate a bit early so they could depart prior to 0545 and avoid having to talk to tower and a possible delay. I don't know why they did not make the required CTAF radio calls or even monitor the frequency. It's possible maybe they had the wrong frequency dialed in as I can't see a airline crew skipping those calls.
I tend to give benefit of the doubt re. the radios that they might have had the wrong CTAF tuned. I can't imagine a 121 crew pushing, taxiing, and departing with no radio calls at all.
06-30-2024, 07:36 AM
#17
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If you call them five or even ten minutes early they'll usually answer, advise you the field is uncontrolled, but may also provide helpful info if you need it.
06-30-2024, 10:34 AM
#18
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Joined APC: Oct 2022
Posts: 130
I am not sure if SWA procedures dictate crews shall monitor and broadcast over CTAF at uncontrolled/tower closed fields.
06-30-2024, 11:08 AM
#19
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Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 32
The tower frequency doubles as the CTAF freq (when the tower is closed) at the vast majority of airports with part time towers, including PWM. That makes the transition a little easier and reduces extraneous radio traffic, as would be the case on one of the uncontrolled airport CTAF/ unicoms like 122.8.
06-30-2024, 11:39 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2021
Posts: 466
FAA needs to start pulling certificates for a time period. Sorry not sorry. THAT will get pilots’ attention to wake the F up.
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