Big Jet TV is a YouTube channel that provides regular live streams of takeoffs and landings at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). These people are legal, they park near the end of the runway at Heathrow Airport and shoot footage for hours on end. As you can imagine, they sometimes catch something particularly interesting. Here is a recent example of that.
A Malaysian A350 lined up behind other aircraft on the runway
This video footage from Sunday 7 May 2023 shows Malaysia Airlines flight MH3 preparing to depart to Kuala Lumpur (KUL). The 6,593-mile flight is operated by an Airbus A350-900, so it’s understandable why the pilots are probably looking forward to taking the 13-hour trip home. I may have gotten a little too excited, though.
In situations of queuing (or spacing) for takeoff, it is standard for aircraft to be instructed to line up and wait. This clearance is normally given once the preceding aircraft has commenced its takeoff roll, at which point the aircraft may taxi into position on the runway until clearance is granted.
So let’s talk about this Malaysia Airlines A350. This plane is… literally, lined up on the runway just behind a British Airways Airbus A320. In fact, the Airbus A320 is about 123 feet long, and the distance between the two appears to be less than that. And all this while the A320 is spooling the engine up to near maximum power. Both flights departed on schedule and arrived safely at their destinations.
Watch the video below.
Was this dangerous, or was it just an anomaly?
There is no denying that what is seen above is anomalous in the sense that it is rarely seen. Big Jet TV officials who have been watching takeoffs at Heathrow all day say they have never seen anything like it before. They commented on the dangers of this procedure:
Even small engines like the CFM56, V2500 (BA Jet in this case), or CF34 can be seriously damaged by takeoff thrust. Engines and sensors are most at risk for trailing aircraft. This is almost as bad as sandblasting with small particles of rubber or sand. In my opinion he was lucky that one of the speed or altitude sensors wasn’t blocked.
Likewise, nearly every pilot chimes in that this is dangerous. One commenter said:
oh! I’ve been operating from his LHR for nearly 30 years and have never seen anyone so close on the runway. Taxiway, yes. But not the runway behind the aircraft you’re trying to set the T/O output for. what were these guys thinking? Really stupid!
Interestingly, however, the runway departure description for Heathrow Airport states that it is perfectly fine to line up behind another jet on the runway.
Pilots who receive a conditional alignment clearance on an early departing ACFT must stay behind the target ACFT, but may pass the RWY holding point and enter the RWY upon receipt of clearance. Subject’s ACFT does not have to start the take-off roll before entering her RWY. Pilots should be aware that there is a potential explosion hazard when RWY’s ACFT powers her.
The key difference here is that the airport briefing is only intended to provide an overview of airport operations and it is up to the pilot to determine best practices for safe operation of the aircraft. As you can see, there is a jetting warning, which is clearly something most pilots are concerned about. After all, otherwise, this wouldn’t be the first time Big Jet TV has filmed something like this at Heathrow Airport.
One might wonder what the Malaysia Airlines pilots were thinking. Did they underestimate the takeoff speed of the British Airways A320? Did they read Heathrow departure instructions and fail to consider the potential dangers of jets? You probably don’t normally fly like this. Otherwise we would have seen more videos along this line.
Conclusion
Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus A350 made a rather unusual departure from London Heathrow last week. The jets lined up on the runway just behind the British Airways A320, probably about 100 feet apart. This is rarely seen.
Interestingly, this procedure was within airport regulations, but clearly not best practice given all the airline pilots’ opinions.
What are your thoughts on this Malaysia Airlines A350 departure from Heathrow Airport?
