Approach speeds into Funchal airport

[Mr Mac]

Humble SLF here who happens to be currently in Funchal. I watched the plane carrying my wife in early this week and wondered what approach speed is used as the runway appears quite short with an interesting approach in one direction. Does this airport have any special requirements other than it being captain only I am told by a local. Thanks in anticipation.

[exeng]

Approach speeds are calculated as normal according to the aircraft mass. The airfield you are operating in to makes no difference. Funchal is an airfield I have operated in to many times. The runway length is no real issue but at times the winds at the airfield can prove a little challenging.

Hope this helps.

[Bealzebub]

Yes as a “CAT C” airport it has a number of special requirements, not the least of which is that an operating airline has to subject the Captain to an approved simulator course of training such that they are then approved by the Portuguese CAA. The airport runway isn’t particularly short since it was extended, however the pier extension itself can set up some interesting local wind effects. Combine those with the topographical effects on local winds as well as the offset approaches (particularly to runway 05) and there are local wind limits depending on the direction of mean winds over a 2 minute average period as reported at remote location “Rosario” and the airfield midfield.

Approach speeds are often subject to increments because of the winds and gusts but as has been said above these are a normal function not dependent on the location.


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[Mr Mac]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.and your explanations are much appreciated by me and indeed my wife, who to be fair to her asked the question in the first place.