Originally Posted by
MoZak18
There are a lot of small controlled airports out there (even some uncontrolled ones) that have an ILS serving only one runway. Let's say the minimums are low (right around 200 and 1/2) but the wind is favoring the opposite runway. To what extent (in terms of tailwind), considering the airplane being flown, would you try to negotiate with tower to push for a straight-in landing to get in, if at all? I am just curious what others out there would do in this situation, since it isn't really an uncommon scenario.
The controllers at the airport understand approach minimums and tailwinds. If there is only 1 approach that is going to get you low enough to land (even with a tailwind) that's probably will be the one you'll be assigned when you check in with approach. If not, just ask they'll accommodate you.
This is not all that uncommon anyway. This happens at DCA all the time. Weather is too low to make it in on any of the 19 approaches, so they'll land and depart on 1 with a tailwind. Some of the larger aircraft can't takeoff on 1 with the tail wind so they'll launch against the traffic flow on 19.
Potomac Approach controllers build enough of a gap in to accommodate runway 19 departures with only a short delay. It helps that DCA Tower and Potomac Approach have mad skillz. Best ATC I've ever seen hands down and that includes NYC and ORD (nothing against those guys though).