Originally Posted by
aa73
The only mod I'm aware of is the high altitude landing switch.... which all of our 757s have. It reprograms the system logic to reset the cabin altitude/aural warnings to 14,650ft instead of the usual 10,000ft (obviously due to La Paz field elevation.) So any/all of our 757s can do the flight.
The only flights we have in there are from MIA. It is a MIA-La Paz all nighter, followed by a tag leg to VVI (Santa Cruz) where they lay over. Flown by three pilots. They all have to be on O2 on the approach/landing, and the FO usually takes a bottle (of O2, that is...) with him/her on the walkaround. Interesting stuff.
I think LPB is the only airport we serve that requires exclusively a 757. The 738 could probably do it, but it would need that high-alt landing switch.
Good info, but i've flown it many times. I've never seen anyone or have I used the O2 bottle for the walk-around. The extra FO (FB we call them) does the post flight walk-around. The jetbridge stairs is really steep. You start walking towards the nose-wheel and after three steps you realize you cannot walk your normal 3.7 mph stride. You must slow way down. 13,308' it's the longest slowest walk-around you'll ever do. There are two mechanics that come up and want to chat. They've already done most of their checks by the time I get out there. I have no air to chit-chat.
After the walk-around, the jetbridge stairs look really steep. At the top I open the jetbridge door and there's the CA and the FO in the jetbridge smoking cigarettes. I'm in shape. My facial expression of surprise is noticed, and they look at me say say "What?" I shake my head and go into the cockpit and put on my O2 mask, which now had Make-up from the FA's using it. I'm totally tired and all I can think of is in the Movie M*A*S*H near the end there is a SGT in a jeep and he keeps saying "*&# @#*% Army"
Additionally when on the ground and doing anything with the FMC or running a checklist you must be on O2 at that point.
There are several reasons we TO and Land unpressurized at La Paz Bolivia. Obviously the APU inlet door is considered drag on the TO roll. But also on the 757 a left engine fire on TO using the APU on packs off bleeds off TO like in UIO, a left engine fire T-handle being pulled closed the APU bleed valve. So it could be that those two reasons and more. Risk of multiple abnormal/emer on TO.
I've been flying La Paz over the years since 2000. I'm not an expert. Not even close.
They just never really tell us why we do it this way.
We also land flaps 25. And the short final sensation of speed (GS 175) is something everyone should experience at least once.
Great cafe con leche in terminal.
This airport makes me really love the 757 with the Rolls engines.
For years there was a Cessna 150 parked just off the ramp. The service ceiling on a 172 is like 14,000 isn't it. I always thought it was a joke.
Just adding a little info here.