GMMC has a too short runway.

[EHM-1353 Mikkel]

Hey

The runway in GMMC has a too short for class 5 and 6 aircrafts (Its about 2000 meter). On a departure from GMMC, I almost hit a house, and had to make a right turn after liftoff. Besides that I had to use the extra runway, just to reach V2 speed.
The airplane was a Boeing 738, with 162 passangers and 84% fuel, just under max weight. I had to fly to ESSA.
The flight is done in PP on the 6-12-2005.

Another fault in using this airport, is that there is a automated message, that keep repeating itself, when you approch the Casablanca controller. This make it almost impossible to talk to the ATC. This fault it in MSFS 9.

The airport is not good, for long range flights.

EHM-1353.

[EHM-1570 Bruce]

GMMC has 2 runways 3L/21R is just over 2000ft, runway 3/21 is 6177ft, you appear to have chosen the shorter of the runways. The main problem I have found with this airport is that under reduced visability it is virtually impossibe to locate the runway as there are no VASI or PAPI lights on the approach.

[EHM-1465 Dominic]

If you find the runway too short for a conventional take-off you could always try a shorter field take-off roll with more flap or you'll just have to send some of the pax/fuel/baggage back to the terminal so you can get off the ground in the space available..!

I don't know if you're using the PMDG 738 but there are tables for working out the right settings for the length of runway in the PMDG manuals. It does come down mainly to keeping the weight down on shorter runways...

As for the automated ATIS message that interferes with communications, if you search for Casablanca in the Avsim library there is an AFCAD2 file that corrects this for you.

Hope this helps.

[EHM-1465 Dominic]

I've just tested the suggestions I wrote above (to make sure I'm not talking out of my ****) and while a full weight flaps 5 take-off does indeed mean rolling off the edge of the runway before getting airborne, a flaps 10 take-off gets off the ground a little sooner, although still past the end of the runway:%

So I tried with a less laden plane - 50% fuel and 50% payload - and hey presto, it rotates on the runway and is at 400ft AGL as we pass over the far threshold...

So I guess either Management need to negotiate us some slots at GMMN with its longer runways or we'll have to fly half empty planes out of this field !!!

[EHM-1001 Robert]

Some facts about this topic:

The longest flight goes to ESSA, which is 1900nm, takes about 4:30 flight time, the shortest is only around 1 hour. For 1900nm distance, the 737 needed only 21000 lbs of fuel according to PMDG specs.

I tried to takeoff with flaps 10, 28000 lbs of fuel, Vr 150kts, some elevator trim, and I managed it for the first time ! I was at 300 ft already when passed the treshold.

Conclusion: GMMC fits for EHM class5 and class6 flights. Also, for short trips, that is only 1/2 or 1/3 of the aircrafts range, do not fill it up fully ! Rather calculate the needed fuel, and add some extra only. Or the trip will be too expensive for the airline. Why to travel 20000 lbs of fuel from Casablanca to Stockholm, across Europe ?

[EHM-1760 Sven]

Hi ehm 1353 have you ever heard about St.Maarten;) (TNCF) There are taking off 747-400s from 7535 ft / 2297 m rwy and they are landing there too how you can see here:

http://www.qsl.net/pj7b/klm-03-18-04.jpg

;D;D;D;D

[EHM-1358 Tim]

Its actually called St.Maarten, plus its getting some extensions.

[EHM-1760 Sven]

sorry I changed it:$