SNA runway.... YIKES!

[SlpgBty]

I found no problems at all at SNA. Now, for a little recreation, check out the normal landing approach at St. Maarten Maho Beach. This was highlighted on Yahoo a few weeks ago. I've posted two videos. But there are a few hundred on YouTube. SNA will seem like a piece of cake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55NHf5QInt0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7rpxf2Nx8Y&feature=related

Haha! Been there, done that, last year, 2 days before hurricane Earl hit /

 

[FlameGirl]

I found no problems at all at SNA. Now, for a little recreation, check out the normal landing approach at St. Maarten Maho Beach. This was highlighted on Yahoo a few weeks ago. I've posted two videos. But there are a few hundred on YouTube. SNA will seem like a piece of cake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55NHf5QInt0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7rpxf2Nx8Y&feature=related

Seriously. I was going to mention this too. The first time I saw one if these a few years ago, I almost had heart failure.

Although I do recall flying into SFO and thinking "where the heck is the runway?!". San Diego is kind of freaky, too. SNA is a cake walk.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I am a very nervous flyer, and have never felt anymore nervous flying into/out of SNA than any where else. I heard the same thing about the take off and landing at SNA, but it really isn't much different than usual. They tend to take off sort of quickly and then go straight up and over all the houses around there, but it is barely noticeable. You will be fine.

Plus, if you have never been to SNA before, you are in for a treat. It is a beautiful, modern, small airport that is super easy to navigate. It blows Long Beach and it's little portables out of the water!

Lisa

 

[cloudconnected1039]

The takeoff is a little different. They hold the brakes and spin up the engines and then release to get a good start. That is if they can't do a rolling start after the turn. In any case, the real odd part is that the takeoff includes a steeper than usual angle followed by a throttle back. They call it a noise abatement takeoff. It is perfectly safe but it feels weird. You are at a steep angle at full throttle and then the plane almost levels off and slows down. It feels like you are actually sinking, but you are just climbing more slowly. Many pilots announce the takeoff procedure during the taxi to the runway.

There's where my paranoia starts. I HATE taking off at SNA. I live 5 minutes from the airport and see the planes take off everyday. Not to scare people, but it truly does look like the planes are taking off at a VERY steep angle. I've had many pilots never say anything and some that do say something, and I'm a frequent traveller from SNA. The leveling off part always makes me jump, but it really does deflect noise for the residents below. It's mostly for the Newport Beach residents, but I live truly 100 feet from the city line and I can't hear any sort of plane activity, except for the smaller private planes that are noisier than heck

 

[AmericanItGirl]

My worst is San Francisco. Hated landing there - knew we were headed straight into the water.

Oakland is the same way, where you get really close to the water before *bam* the runway is right beneath you. Unless you know what to expect, you might freak out. SNA has steeper than usual takeoffs and landings because of a noise ordinance that requires planes to reach certain altitudes so as not to be heard.

 

[cyclenut]

I found no problems at all at SNA. Now, for a little recreation, check out the normal landing approach at St. Maarten Maho Beach. This was highlighted on Yahoo a few weeks ago. I've posted two videos. But there are a few hundred on YouTube. SNA will seem like a piece of cake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55NHf5QInt0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7rpxf2Nx8Y&feature=related

Wow!

I am reminded of a couple of landings in Las Vegas that got my heart pumping due to crosswinds. Nothing like this one though!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtnL4KYVtDE

 

[medievaldave]

I work for the airlines. When u fly out of SNA they take off fast then power down (slow) engines due to noise over the city. its nothing and the pilots will discuss this before you takeoff. Easy!!! nothing to worry about

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

I think that's a gross exaggeration. We've flown into SNA a few times and have never experienced anything that would cause me to dread the landing. Since I don't like flying, I would remember anything out of the ordinary. I think you'll be fine! Enjoy your trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

OP, I think the person got it backwards. For noise abatement they take off FAST and get up to altitude fast (just like in San Diego), but the landing isn't a nose dive.

For those who "enjoy" not knowing where on earth they are going to land, hubby recommends Hong Kong. Small runway, island...yikes!

Miami's interesting, too, going out over the ocean before heading back in...



San Diego...my brother and sis in law just bought a downtown condo to stay at when she needs to work late or early (lawyer)...they will sit and just watch the planes come in whenever they have downtime. It's pretty weird to watch those plans go right through downtown, that's for sure! But not as weird as being ON the plane and not expecting it.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

I agree with the poster about the noise issue for people living under the flight pattern. That is what I read in an article about reason SNA has a deadline for departing and arrivals at 9:59 PM. There is a start time also but do not remember what that time is. This agreement with the people living in area and the port of SNA was part of the agreement to have the airport placed where it is.

Every flight I have ever taken to SNA and Departing from SNA has been what seemed like a sharper decline and incline.

I am used to inclines not nearly as steep as SNA. When they can all airlines do the gradual incline as it is a gas saver. Maybe that is why the flights for SNA cost so much more then other airports in the same area. I don;t know for sure but seems reasonable. Remember those big boy planes have way more throttle available then they ever use regularly.

For a step in and out RENO airport makes SNA look like a kiddie ride. You will also feel the plane do a slight drop taking off from Reno, this is due to the mountains that surround Reno. It is called a down draft and is normal when passing over mountain ranges.

Just buckle up and enjoy the ride .

 

[keahgirl8]

I'm not going to tell you it's nothing or that it didn't bother me at all. I will say that it is such a small part of the flight that you shouldn't let it terrify you or ruin your trip, or even choose a different airport. I do not love to fly by any stretch of the imagination, so it did bother me a little, but it's over so quickly, you should be fine.

 

[Disneylovers2000]

So, we're flying into SNA. Someone told my DH to expect a crazy landing, because SNA has a very short runway. Apparently, the guy said you do a veritable nosedive landing. What on earth? I'm not a good flyer. This has me worried. Any insights??

We just came back and didn't notice any difference in landing at SNA than any other airport we have ever been too.

 

[kailuagirl]

I absolutely loathe flying and we fly into SNA whenever we can. I've never even noticed the slightest difference. Trust me, I would notice. Every single variation of any normal plane noise, and I bolt straight up in my seat and stare down the flight attendants to make sure we are all good.

You'll be fine.

Flamegirl, and I thought I was the only one who did that!! Every bing, ting, bump, rattle, you name it, I'm freaked out and checking out the flight attendants. I can't stand to fly but living on an Island that's the only way I can get a vacation Total bummer

 

[FlameGirl]

Flamegirl, and I thought I was the only one who did that!! Every bing, ting, bump, rattle, you name it, I'm freaked out and checking out the flight attendants. I can't stand to fly but living on an Island that's the only way I can get a vacation Total bummer

Aww. It's no fun.

I told my doctor about it and he gives me Xanax. One Xanax right before boarding and a glass of wine and I'm a different person in the air. If you're anything like me, it will change your life.

 

[Scaramedic]

SNA is just fine. There is plenty of room to do a normal approach. They brake real hard and instead of coming to a near stop before turning, they do turn while still going a little faster than you might otherwise expect. Nothing too bad though.

The takeoff is a little different. They hold the brakes and spin up the engines and then release to get a good start. That is if they can't do a rolling start after the turn. In any case, the real odd part is that the takeoff includes a steeper than usual angle followed by a throttle back. They call it a noise abatement takeoff. It is perfectly safe but it feels weird. You are at a steep angle at full throttle and then the plane almost levels off and slows down. It feels like you are actually sinking, but you are just climbing more slowly. Many pilots announce the takeoff procedure during the taxi to the runway.

Do we have to have an E-ticket for this? Sounds like fun. Our last ride on our vacation.

P.S. I'm joking, I loathe flying also. Maybe an adult beverage to take the thrill out of this flight before take off is in order.

 

[AustinTink]

I did it with no problem!!!! Whoop Whoop!!