Have you heard of the new flight maneuver that is to be used specifically at the new BER airport in Berlin?
It is also known secretly as the "Kotzkurve".
On October 31, after many years of construction delay,
Berlin Brandenburg Airport
- BER for short - was
finally
opened.
What many do not know: On the southern runway, air travelers can under certain circumstances enjoy a new flight maneuver that was specially invented for this runway.
However, it could be uncomfortable for anxious passengers *.
The maneuver was given the nickname "Kotzkurve".
New flight maneuver at BER: This is behind the "Kotzkurve"
The flight maneuver is actually called the "
Hoffmann curve
".
It was named after the inventor and pilot Marcel Hoffmann, who made the corresponding calculations.
The term refers to a 145-degree right turn shortly after the start at a height of just 180 meters.
The maneuver should only be used in an easterly wind and only on the southern runway.
Nevertheless, some pilots and experts are already predicting an uncomfortable stomach for the passengers - it is also referred to as a
“stunt curve” or “puke curve”
.
Flight maneuvers: Why is the “Kotzkurve” needed at BER?
The considerations regarding the special flight route started in 2010, when it became clear that far more residents would be affected by the noise of BER than previously assumed.
The "Hoffmann curve" is therefore used for noise protection.
The route was already determined in 2012 and checked by the Federal Air Traffic Control Authority (BAF).
It meets the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), according to a report by Tagesspiegel.
Nevertheless, there is criticism of the "Hoffman curve": The professional association "Cockpit" described the flight route as an
unnecessary safety risk
when it was determined
.
During the critical take-off phase, pilots would prefer to concentrate on a straight climb flight.
However, the curve is more complex and mistakes can happen more often.
In addition, the weather or a bird strike at the start could make the maneuver even more difficult.
Also interesting
: Eurowings fliers have to turn back over Sardinia because the airport is still closed.
However, lawsuits against the route have already been dismissed by the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court.
In this regard, BAF told Tagesspiegel that
the flight maneuver was safe
and that the “GORIG” route could alternatively be selected for a longer straight climb
flight
.
This, however, uses more fuel and takes more time.
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen digital editorial network.
Also read
: Did you know?
There are a few things to keep in mind on an airplane
You should urgently avoid these mistakes in travel cancellation insurance
You should urgently avoid these mistakes in travel cancellation insurance
