Friday, March 29, 2024

Upcoming Closures of Runway 18L/36R

The DFW Airport would like to bring awareness regarding the upcoming full closure of Runway 18L/36R and FAA’s progress on the installation of Runway Status Lights.  Runway 18R/36L, DFW’s primary arrival runway, will be closed from Friday, June 9 at 11 PM to Monday, June 12 at 4 PM, weather permitting, to accommodate the FAA’s ongoing installation work.

Immediately following will be the scheduled partial south closure of Runway 18L/36R from Monday, June 12 through Sunday, June 25 for FAA’s ongoing installation of Runway Status Lights (RWSL).

What to Expect:

The weather forecast for the weekend closure are expected to be south at 10 to 15 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph.  The weather forecast is not known for the entire partial closure period.  In general, because aircraft take off and land into the wind, when winds are southerly aircraft take off to the south and land from north to south.  When winds are northerly, aircraft take off to the north (or northwest in the case of the use of Runway 31L) and land from south to north.  Keep in mind that surface winds don’t always dictate flow as winds above the surface and/or operational needs can affect the direction for which aircraft take off and land.

The shifts in aircraft operations to other runways during the closure may affect the cities of Coppell, Irving, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Euless, Southlake, and Arlington, which could experience some additional aircraft traffic, including:

  • Increased arrivals to Runway 17L and 13R during south winds;
  • Jet departures on Runway 31L during north winds;
  • Increased arrivals Runway 31R and 35R during north winds;
  • Outboard runways will be needed later at night or early in the morning;
  • During the partial south closures of Runway 18L/36R, the runway will be available for day time only limited takeoffs and landings, as determined by the wind flow.
  • Remaining Weekend Closures for the RWSL installation are June 9-12; June 17-18; and June 24-25 [Closures of Runway 18L/36R]

Runway 18L/36R is the primary departure runway on the west side.  During its closure:

  • North Flow:  When the winds are out of the north or are light/variable:
    • Runway 36L will be the used for arrivals
    • Runway 31L will be the primary departure runway on the west side.
    • Arrivals also shift to Runways 35R and 31R on DFW’s east side.
  • South Flow:  When the winds are out of the south:
    •  Departures will shift to Runway 18R
    • Arrivals will shift to Runways 13R on DFW’s west side and 17L on DFW’s east side
  • The use of the outboard runways (diagonal runways and Runway 17L/35R) may be extended at night to 11pm.

Keep in mind that surface winds don’t always dictate flow as winds above the surface and/or operational needs can affect the direction for which aircraft take off and land.

The graphics below depict these closures and their effects on runway utilization:

Map of DFW Operations During Full 18L/36R Closure

The above map has been provided by the DFW Airport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 12 – June 25 [Partial South Closure of Runway 18L/36R]

  • During the partial south closures of Runway 18L/36R, the runway will be available for day time only limited takeoffs and landings, as determined by the wind flow.
  • The runway will be closed after sunset and before sunriseas well as during any poor weather or low clouds (due to limited visibility of construction zone).
  • If the winds are out of the north, jet aircraft may need to depart Runway 31L.
  • The use of the outboard runways (diagonal runways and Runway 17L/35R) be extended at night to 11pm.
Map of DFW Operations During 18L/36R Partial South Closure

The above map has been provided by the DFW Airport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runway Status Lights:

Runway Status Lights (RWSL) is a fully automatic, advisory safety system designed to reduce the number and severity of runway incursions and prevent runway accidents while not interfering with airport operations.  It is an in-pavement lighting system that works similar to a traffic light which provides a visual signal to pilots and vehicle operators of when it is unsafe to enter/cross or begin takeoff on runway. The system aims to improve air crew and vehicle operator situational awareness through accurate and timely indication of runway usage.  For further information, please see the link to the FAA’s website.

The DFW Airport encourages citizens with inquiries or complaints to contact them.  You may contact them by email at dfwnoise@dfwairport.com, or on the Noise Complaint Hotline, at 972-973-3192 (manned 24/7).  Follow-up response calls or emails will be provided by DFW, when requested.

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