WestWind Airlines

Hi Guys,

 

What is the normal distance for pushback of a B738 or A333 from the gate?  Usually I just pushback and turn until the aircraft is lined up with the main apron taxiway intersection (where you would normally turn the aircraft to do final taxi towards the jetway), but I'm not sure if this correct.  I'm always striving to do "as real as it gets", even though we're just simulating.

Cheers,

 

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Peter Arnold
Assistant Hub Manager
Sydney (YSSY) Hub
WWA1079
25 Hours In a Month x 3
50 Hours In a Month x 3
100 Hours in B737-800
5 Years of WestWind Service

Hey Peter,  My 2 cents is that RW they'd only take you back as far as neccesary to allow you to turn towards the apron exit without conflicting with any other A/C. If you go too far, there's a chance on a busy apron that you'll block someone else's path while the tug is disengaging and getting the ground/air intercom plugs disconnected, etc. Just imagine A/C at adjacent gates and only go back far enough to allow a turn well clear of their tails.

Cheers u2

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Rob Wilkinson
WWA2574

RW it also depends on the specific gate and terminal you are at.  There are many places where you get pushed back and then towed a distance before you are allowed to start engines, the area between the "b" and "c" gates in Boston is one of them.  You are not allowed to start the engines until you are in the throat of the ramp entrance so to speak.  I'm not sure why this is, but it has been that way since I can remember......

I know that at LAX and MIA there are certain gates where you must be towed in as well as out.....so it really depends on the specific situation.  There is nothing wrong with pushing back and turning out onto the taxiway in the vicinity of where you would turn to go into the gate.  You may block other traffic for a moment but that is how I've seen it done in the real world.......

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EHAM-YSSY B772LR
ATP, CFI, CFII & MEI, CL30, 727, 737-200, DC-9
FS9, Active Sky 6.5 w/ASG, FSPax

Thanks for all the info, guys.  From now on, I think I'll just use common sense when I pushback and just watch that I'm clear of the terminal, and not pushing back towards other aircraft. 

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Peter Arnold
Assistant Hub Manager
Sydney (YSSY) Hub
WWA1079
25 Hours In a Month x 3
50 Hours In a Month x 3
100 Hours in B737-800
5 Years of WestWind Service