Question About LGA RWY 31 Approach on Sunday

[Speedbird1]

On Sunday afternoon, 2/8, LGA was using a LOC 31 Approach rather than the Expressway/Visual Rwy 31 Approach. Was there any reason for this? I was viewing from what's left of Shea Stadium and was surprised as the visibility was good enough for the visual approach. Was the reason the gusty northwest winds? Maybe with gusty winds, that sharp turn into Rwy 31 is too difficult. By using the LOC Rwy 31 Approach, inbounds had to fly all the way out to Oyster Bay then circle south down past Jerischo, Hempstead, Uniondale, then Franklin Square before joining the RWY 31 LOC. This route added over 10 minutes of flying time in contrast to the Expressway/ Visual RWY 31 Approach.

[PhilDernerJr]

LOC31 is usually used in, just as you said, high northwest winds. Expressway Visual 31 was created to save aircraft the time and fuel in going out to the edge of Queens just to come right back in.

[cancidas]

On Sunday afternoon, 2/8, LGA was using a LOC 31 Approach rather than the Expressway/Visual Rwy 31 Approach. Was there any reason for this? I was viewing from what's left of Shea Stadium and was surprised as the visibility was good enough for the visual approach. Was the reason the gusty northwest winds? Maybe with gusty winds, that sharp turn into Rwy 31 is too difficult. By using the LOC Rwy 31 Approach, inbounds had to fly all the way out to Oyster Bay then circle south down past Jerischo, Hempstead, Uniondale, then Franklin Square before joining the RWY 31 LOC. This route added over 10 minutes of flying time in contrast to the Expressway/ Visual RWY 31 Approach.
i've started to accept the following as a good reason for why things happen the way they do at LGA. it saves a lot of frustration:



the FAA wanted to.

[Speedbird1]

LGA is using the same approach this morning. It must be because of the high winds from the west/northwest. Even EWR is circling into Rwy 29; which is very rare.

[LGA777]

The reason for the use of the LOC 31 approach has one main purpose, volume. When LGA is landing either 4 or Exp vis 31 approach there is limited room for ATC to put airplanes when to many arrive at once, so holding occurs, and it is usally a daily occurance when LGA is using one of these approaches. But the LOC 31 approach allows ATC to put easilly 10-12 aircraft over Long Island and space them as needed significantly reducing the need for holding.

The aircraft past just east of LGA NE bound similar to the LDA approach to 22 from the south. They continue NE bound to about Glen Cove on the north shore of LI. From there a right turn to heading of 180 due south is made. At about Nassau Colisiuem another right turn to a heading of 270 due west is made. Just NE of JFK a final right turn is made to runway heading of 310 and the aircraft is now lined up with runway 31. When it's busy there are usally 3 or 4 sets of landing lights visible on this last part of the approach alone.

While still under the heading of volume here is a HUGE benefit for ATC and pilots alike for this approach. Today Thursday Feb 12th is an extremely windy day in NYC and the Northeastern US. I guess because of weather/wind patterns around 80 pct of the time that LGA is single runway due to winds they are northwesterly using runway 31 like today. When a departing aircraft on 31 takes longer to depart than planned a landing aircraft sequenced very close on the expressway vis has no where to go if the departure does not clear when expected and go arounds become common. But on the LOC approach the local controller can have the inbound slow down and or do S turns for spacing significantly reducing the need for or actual number of go arounds.

One final coment, the LOC 31 works fine if JFK is using the 31's for arrival like today but is not possible if JFK is landing on the 22's. If you live on or frequently visit Long Island LGA approaches are cleary visible from the LIE or Northern State Parkway when LGA using the LOC 31.

I hope this was helpful?

LGA777

[PhilDernerJr]

Excellent insight. Thanks!

[Speedbird1]

I agree; everything makes sense. It's indeed better for inbounds to Rwy 31 to fly to Glen Cove to use the LOC 31 Approach then to go directly using the Expr/Vis Rwy 31 Approach is some of them might have to go-around. Missed approaches are the last resort.

[DHG750R]

While still under the heading of volume here is a HUGE benefit for ATC and pilots alike for this approach. Today Thursday Feb 12th is an extremely windy day in NYC and the Northeastern US. I guess because of weather/wind patterns around 80 pct of the time that LGA is single runway due to winds they are northwesterly using runway 31 like today. When a departing aircraft on 31 takes longer to depart than planned a landing aircraft sequenced very close on the expressway vis has no where to go if the departure does not clear when expected and go arounds become common. But on the LOC approach the local controller can have the inbound slow down and or do S turns for spacing significantly reducing the need for or actual number of go arounds.

LGA777

when i was there , speaking to several folks at the tower including a good friend of mine who is now at the TRACON , it's mainly used as Ron said. It allows for better spacing on the approach to allow room for departures. With the added benefit of being a less challenging apporach while dealing with high groundspeeds you would see on the downwind section . when the winds are very stong.