Approach to Southampton Runway 20

[M4cruiser]

Just wondering why .....
... southbound aircraft landing at Southampton (runway 20) seem to reach Winchester then do a 360 degree left turn, losing height, before making final approach.
Are there any pilots on here who can tell us? I'm just intrigued. It happens even when there is no other air traffic nearby.

(Except of course for BA5390 which probably went straight in!)

Edited by M4cruiser on Tuesday 3rd August 19:49

[normalbloke]

Noise abatement procedure to keep the fine folk of Winchester under control?

[WyrleyD]

There will be a proscribed descent and approach:

Arriving into Southampton Rwy 020 fly to the Southampton VOR, located right at the airport. Then leave it heading to the north overhead Winchester, then left turn 170 degrees to join the final approach into Rwy 020.


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[MarkwG]

M4cruiser said:

Just wondering why .....
... southbound aircraft landing at Southampton (runway 20) seem to reach Winchester then do a 360 degree left turn, losing height, before making final approach.
Are there any pilots on here who can tell us? I'm just intrigued. It happens even when there is no other air traffic nearby.

(Except of course for BA5390 which probably went straight in!)

Edited by M4cruiser on Tuesday 3rd August 19:49

It's due to airspace limitations to the north of Winchester: the orbit allows descent to stay inside controlled airspace, so the aircraft intercepts the final approach on the right profile.

[M4cruiser]

MarkwG said:

It's due to airspace limitations to the north of Winchester: the orbit allows descent to stay inside controlled airspace, so the aircraft intercepts the final approach on the right profile.

Ah, makes sense, many thanks.

[MarkwG]

M4cruiser said:

MarkwG said:

It's due to airspace limitations to the north of Winchester: the orbit allows descent to stay inside controlled airspace, so the aircraft intercepts the final approach on the right profile.

Ah, makes sense, many thanks.

No prob - if you're struggling with insomnia, page 9 shows the net affect, it's not desirable as such, but forced by circumstance - https://www.nats.aero/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1...

[Jezzerh]

MarkwG said:

No prob - if you're struggling with insomnia, page 9 shows the net affect, it's not desirable as such, but forced by circumstance - https://www.nats.aero/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1...

Sadly enough I found that really interesting!