Plane after take-off to heavy to climb to cruising altitude?

In summary, during a conversation about listening to New York ATC, Al Italia flight 687 was asked to climb to flight level 360 but was unable to do so until an hour later. The conversation then shifts to discussing whether planes are typically too heavy to climb to cruising altitude right after take-off and the factors that may affect this. It is mentioned that the flight was communicating via short wave and was out of VHF range. The route of the flight and the state of Al Italia as a company are also briefly discussed.
  • #1
Count Iblis
1,863
8
I was just listening to New York ATC on 11.309 MHz. Al Italia flight 687 was asked to climb to flight level 360 but Al Italia said that they would be able to do that in an hour's time. A few minutes later the flight was contacted and they were asked to climb to flight level 360 by 01.15 GMT, about an hour from now.

So, are planes typically too heavy to climb to cruising altititude right after take-off?
 
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  • #2
First off, did you miss a digit in there? Commercial aviation uses 118 to 132 MHz.

As to your question, yes, weight may be a factor here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climb

It depends on the aircraft, its fuel weight, atmospheric conditions and other factors. Additionally, there may be non-weight-related reasons why the craft was unable to complete a climb to cruising altitude at that time, such as local weather conditions or minor instrumentation problems.
 
  • #3
The plane is communicating via short wave. It is somewhere on the Atlantic, out of VHF range.
 
  • #4
Ah, you said "right after takeoff" so I assumed the craft was still in VHF range.
 
  • #5
negitron said:
Ah, you said "right after takeoff" so I assumed the craft was still in VHF range.

http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=164886752&utm_source=airlineInformationAndStatus&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=co-op"

So, it was quite some time after takeoff. I'm not sure about the route it takes. It seems that the flight will go North for a while flying over the Caribbean before crossing the Atlantic on its way to Europe.
 
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  • #6
The bit that amazes me about this question most is that Al Italia are stil flying and not being bought out by a rival airline.
 
  • #7
TooFastTim said:
The bit that amazes me about this question most is that Al Italia are stil flying and not being bought out by a rival airline.
Who would want to buy a very large debt an overstaffed company and a fleet of old aircraft?
 
  • #8
Ophiolite said:
Who would want to buy a very large debt an overstaffed company and a fleet of old aircraft?

True dat!
 

FAQ: Plane after take-off to heavy to climb to cruising altitude?

How heavy is too heavy for a plane to climb to cruising altitude?

The weight limit for a plane to climb to cruising altitude varies depending on the type of plane and the weather conditions. Generally, commercial airliners can safely take off at weights ranging from 300,000 to 800,000 pounds.

How does the weight of a plane affect its climb to cruising altitude?

The weight of a plane affects its ability to climb to cruising altitude because the heavier the plane, the more thrust is needed to overcome gravity and lift the plane off the ground. As the plane gains altitude, the air becomes thinner and the engines have to work harder to maintain lift. If the weight is too heavy, the engines may not have enough power to continue climbing.

Can a plane take off if it is overweight?

Technically, yes, a plane can take off if it is overweight. However, it is not safe to do so as it can put excessive strain on the engines and other critical components. Therefore, airlines have strict weight limits and adhere to strict loading procedures to ensure the safety of the flight.

What happens if a plane cannot reach its cruising altitude?

If a plane cannot reach its cruising altitude, it may have to fly at a lower altitude for the duration of the flight. This can result in a longer flight time and may require more fuel, which can be costly. In extreme cases, the plane may have to make an emergency landing if it is unable to maintain a safe altitude.

How do pilots determine the weight of the plane before take-off?

Pilots use a variety of tools and procedures to determine the weight of the plane before take-off. This includes weighing the passengers and cargo, calculating the weight of fuel, and using load sheets provided by the airline. They also take into account factors such as wind, temperature, and runway length to determine the maximum weight the plane can safely take off at.

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