The FAA has issued a “visual alert notice” for Hollywood Burbank Airport to help pilots ensure they get to the airport they’re aiming for. The agency says some pilots have landed at Whiteman Airport by mistake because the mistakenly line up for Whiteman’s Runway 12 when they’re aiming for Burbank Runway 15, which is about 4.25 nm northwest of Burbank. It happens when aircraft are approaching Burbank from the northwest and spot Whiteman first, although its runway, at 4,120 x 150, is quite a bit smaller than Burbank’s airliner-sized 6,886 x 150.
“GA Pilots: Flying to Hollywood Burbank Airport – BUR? Check out our new arrival alert notice before you take off to ensure you land at the right airport,” the somewhat light hearted Facebook post reads. “Some pilots approaching BUR from the northwest have mistakenly landed at nearby Whiteman Airport (WHP). Our visual alert notice helps prevent this confusion.” In case you’re headed that way, here’s the helpful hint from the FAA.
Does happen. Most blatant I’ve seen was while working at BNA. The very small Cornelia Fort airport was about 5 miles north. Had a Mooney headed there from the north getting flight following. At about 5 north of CF, reported it in sight. Terminated him and switched him to advisory. He flew past his airport, small and short, one runway, and landed on the 12K’ one at BNA. He was surrounded by AAL jets and many other runways and buildings. He finally turned off and stopped. Had to send a vehicle out to explain his issue and call ground for taxi about a mile across BNA. I’ve been brain fog before but don’t believe that bad.
And it goes on. Cleared SWA for a visual from the NW one night after he reported BNA in sight. John Tune was still between him and BNA. Watching his encoder, he began a descent, got lower and lower. Eventually, suspecting what was going on, I more firmly asked if he still had BNA in sight, eleven o’clock and 13 miles? Pause and then he said yes. Then his encoder began a climb up another 2K’. We never said anything else to each other.
Enter an approach to the right airport in the GPS and follow it.
DELTA = Don’t Ever Land There Again. El Paso International Airport has Biggs Army Airfield less than two miles away from it’s main runways. Many an airplane has landed at tbe military base by mistake. Including Delta Airlines, after which the locals defined the acronym at the start of this comment.
Back in the day when Denver Stapleton was THE airport and Lowry AFB was just a few miles south, many airliners tried to land there .. hence why they close Lowry to flying. Now, both are gone.
Several weeks ago I was passing by the old Stapleton where in clear weather the scenery out the windscreen was always exhilarating, and thought I saw the old control tower still standing. Asking several friends from the area they confirmed that the old Stapleton tower is indeed still standing and is a venue for social and educational events. The old Stapleton tower is now a new item on my bucket list.
FlyteCo Tower. You can take a tour up to the top.
Thanks Chris. Will do.
In the days before GPS (I know, I’m an old f*rt) I planned to land at Clovis, NM to gas up the Mooney. But Cannon AFB had a much larger runway calling to me. I realized the error before landing and got over to Clovis.
And, by the way, I believe that Wrong Way Corrigan crossed the Atlantic intentionally after saying that he was headed west towards home, because he’d been denied clearance for the Atlantic adventure. Somebody please tell me if I’m wrong.