Question:

Why all aircraft turn right after takeoff from runway 8R at Honolulu (HNL) International Airport?

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Why all aircraft turn right after takeoff from runway 8R at Honolulu (HNL) International Airport?

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  1. IMHO, it isn't unique to HNL.  The designation 8R indicates parallel runways.  The turn right after take off gets the aircraft away from the adjacent runway center line.  If you were taking off on 8L the aircraft would most likely turn left.

    I'm not a pilot but did take flying lessons many years ago.  I hope this helps.

    j


  2. Standard traffic pattern on any airport is a right turn after takeoff, so arriving and departing craft know where you are supposed to be. There are other considerations that will make it non-standard such as noise abatement, or obstructions.

    If you see a letter after the runway number, R, C, L, in the case of multiple runways on the same heading, departure will generally be in the direction of the letter, with C being a straight out departure.

    If there are exceptions to any rule, ATC will advise.

  3. Here's some candidates as to which departure procedures they were using.  Note the 8R departures must complete that right turn early.

    http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0804/00754PALA...

    http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0804/00754MOLO...

    http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0804/00754OPIH...

    This is possibly due to separation from arriving traffic or possibly to maintain adequate terrain clearance.  There may simply be some military airspace or conflicting traffic at another airport to avoid.  There are many reasons why this could be done, its difficult to know exactly why which reason is the correct one.

  4. ok...the numbers on the runway represents a magnetic heading,

    in this case 8R is the magnetic heading 080 degrees. the R and L on runways means that there are 2 runways in the same direction and R means right and L  means left. so plane taking off on runway 8R has to turn right so it does not turn into another

    aircraft that took off on 8L.

  5. Maybe they're following a published departure procedure.

  6. To keep the noise down over Waikiki.

  7. Mostly it's for noise abatement for the city of Honolulu. If you were to just stay on the runway heading for 8R, you'd actually pass north of Diamond Head. The ridgeline north is higher, so there are some terrain issues as well.

    There are no obstructions on the water.

  8. Like most other after-takeoff turns, it's most likely noise abatement.

  9. All runways at major airports have set-down departure procedures, depending on the topography.  Looks like this one is to get clear of traffic using 8L.  Even if there is only one runway, the procedure will involve a track avoiding high ground (obviously!), population areas, noise-sensitive areas such as nature reserves etc.

    Even at our little field, take-off in one direction involves a climb straight ahead until you are told to turn on course, in the other direction it's an immediate left turn as soon as established in the climb to avoid overflying a local village whose residents are fed up with the sound of aircraft.

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