Turnbase

True, runway congestion is a factor. As far as the enroute airspace is concerned, I'm pretty sure we are going to see a change in minimum separation from 5 miles to something less. The changes I have seen so far, and the briefs that I have attended are all pointing that direction. Approach controls use 3 miles (due to their proximity to radar sites). Once we get away from radar (it'll be a while) you can expect tighter separation in the enroute environment.

The hot button at the center has been the VLJs coming on line. They will end up being speed bumps in the sky for us (sort of like the C560).

FlyerJosh

Hey! I resemble that remark!

Turnbase

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to fly the C560. They just create a lot of overtake situations. As a controller, you have to keep your "good eye" on them. When they come off of DEN on say the yellowstone 4, you gotta make sure they don'y get run over by Frontier or United;-)

FlyerJosh

It's all good. I wish that I could fly the speeds in the 560 that I used to in the CRJ (but with the Citation's climb performance).

It would at least be nice to be able to do 300 knots in the climb. At least then we could keep with with everybody climbing up through the teens and low 20's. The plane needs wings like they had on the F-14... swept down low, and more straight wing at altitude when you need it to make it up to FL450.

But I must say that I do appreciate you not ramming UAL or Frontier up my rear end! (I'm sure they appreciate it too!)

NJA Capt

True down low, but at altitude the Ce560's redline at .75m. Airliners these days are running .74 to .78m. That is not a big deal. Ce750s are cruising all day long at .90 to .91m with a MUCH larger speed differential.
A bigger issue is the aircraft capable of climbing 5000 fpm are stuck behind sluggish climbers doing 500-1000fpm. If the Ce560s/Lears were allowed to "climb fast," they would be up and away from the "speedy" climbers. A ce560/XL/680 can be at FL410 quicker than an airliner will get to FL300. Let'em climb and they will be out of your hair.

Here is the question of the day:
The rule of thumb seems to be "turn the slower aircraft" so the faster plane goes straight. From what I have seen, it only holds true if the the faster plane is an airliner. When we overtake an airliner we get turned so we can pass him. Why aren't the Boe/buses turned out of the overtaking aircraft's path?

FlyerJosh

Because fractionals/corporate/NBAA/etc doesn't have the political pull and close ties to the administration that the airlines do.

NJA Capt

You mean....cough .....kickbacks.....cough.

Actually, NJA does have people in Herdon and OKC with the FAA, just like the airlines.