Plane after take-off to heavy to climb to cruising altitude?

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    Altitude Plane
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the factors affecting an aircraft's ability to climb to cruising altitude shortly after take-off, particularly in the context of a specific flight's communication with air traffic control. The scope includes technical considerations related to aviation operations and potential external influences on flight performance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that an aircraft's weight can impact its ability to climb to cruising altitude shortly after take-off, depending on various factors such as fuel weight and atmospheric conditions.
  • Others note that there may be non-weight-related reasons for a delayed climb, including local weather conditions or instrumentation issues.
  • One participant points out that the aircraft was communicating via short wave, indicating it was out of VHF range, which may affect the context of the discussion.
  • Another participant highlights the timing of the flight's communication, suggesting it was some time after take-off, which may influence the analysis of its climbing capabilities.
  • Several comments express surprise regarding the operational status of Al Italia, questioning its financial viability and market position.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the reasons for the flight's climbing delay, with some focusing on weight and others on external factors. There is no consensus on the primary cause of the issue discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors that could influence an aircraft's climb performance, but the discussion does not resolve the specific conditions or assumptions that may apply to the flight in question.

Count Iblis
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I was just listening to New York ATC on 11.309 MHz. Al Italia flight 687 was asked to climb to flight level 360 but Al Italia said that they would be able to do that in an hour's time. A few minutes later the flight was contacted and they were asked to climb to flight level 360 by 01.15 GMT, about an hour from now.

So, are planes typically too heavy to climb to cruising altititude right after take-off?
 
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First off, did you miss a digit in there? Commercial aviation uses 118 to 132 MHz.

As to your question, yes, weight may be a factor here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climb

It depends on the aircraft, its fuel weight, atmospheric conditions and other factors. Additionally, there may be non-weight-related reasons why the craft was unable to complete a climb to cruising altitude at that time, such as local weather conditions or minor instrumentation problems.
 
The plane is communicating via short wave. It is somewhere on the Atlantic, out of VHF range.
 
Ah, you said "right after takeoff" so I assumed the craft was still in VHF range.
 
negitron said:
Ah, you said "right after takeoff" so I assumed the craft was still in VHF range.

http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=164886752&utm_source=airlineInformationAndStatus&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=co-op"

So, it was quite some time after takeoff. I'm not sure about the route it takes. It seems that the flight will go North for a while flying over the Caribbean before crossing the Atlantic on its way to Europe.
 
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The bit that amazes me about this question most is that Al Italia are stil flying and not being bought out by a rival airline.
 
TooFastTim said:
The bit that amazes me about this question most is that Al Italia are stil flying and not being bought out by a rival airline.
Who would want to buy a very large debt an overstaffed company and a fleet of old aircraft?
 
Ophiolite said:
Who would want to buy a very large debt an overstaffed company and a fleet of old aircraft?

True dat!
 

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