First off, huge thanks to the team for the amazing work on the recently released version 3.5.0! The new weather-based runway direction feature is fantastic and adds a great layer of real-world dynamic planning to the game.
I’ve been heavily playing and simulating real-world daily operations at London Heathrow (LHR), and it got me thinking about a unique LHR mechanic that would be incredible to have in the game: Segregated Runway Operations.
As many aviation geeks here might know, real-world Heathrow operates under strict noise regulations. To manage this, they use a very specific strategy:
Segregated Use: One runway is used exclusively for departures, while the other is used solely for arrivals. (No mixed-mode operations).
The 15:00 Alternation: At 15:00 every day, the two runways swap roles to provide a noise respite for different residential areas under the flight paths.
Currently, the game does not feature this specific strict segregated mode for LHR. I reached out to the support team, and Karel suggested I bring this idea here to the forum.
I understand that developing such a specialized mechanic might be complex, but implementing this real-world runway alternation would elevate the LHR simulation to an incredible new level of authenticity and add a fun management challenge for us players.
What do you guys think? Would you love to see this level of LHR realism in a future update? Let me know your thoughts!
LHR is such an odd airport in-game, the aircraft currently land on the worst of the 4 runways to land on giving them limited ability to exit slowing arrivals down but I understand why they did it that way for the ease of access to Terminal 4. The airport also has Stalag Luft 3 instead of the iconic Myrtle Avenue, I’m awaiting the Steve McQueen Easter egg on his motorcycle .
The airport would require a total overhaul to its stands and the surroundings to bring it up to par of other airports as sadly it’s a more urban airport than the likes of IAD. Plus as you mention the runway switch would be a fab addition but ofc would add pathfinding for another 2 landing and takeoff runways compared to just a simple wind swap as well as pathfinding for runway crossings. It’d be a huge undertaking akin to what IAD needs.
Personally, at this point they should just add Manchester and forget all about Heathrow
Well speaking of which, I actually think the current operational efficiency of the runways at Heathrow Airport is remarkably high for a dual-runway system. I am quite satisfied with that aspect.
However, as a flight simulation enthusiast, I hope to see scenes that more closely align with the real world. Over the past few days, I have rarely seen runway configurations that match what I see in the game.
They are adding that to most airports in game, CNN has it and INN has real world runway usage, and PRG will when it gets remodelled, might be waiting on an LHR remodel for that
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