Good Question

[RookiePilot]

Good Evening, this is my first thread, I'm pretty quiet around here but I just saw something that I need clarification on. I was sitting at KLAS and using my scanner, I do this at least 2-4 hours per day, 'learning', but my question is.......................

A Southwest 737 was cleared for the visual to 25L and handed to the tower, he was obviously too darn high and a little fast, but this KLAS, so thats normal. But when they checked in with the tower they were currently 1.75 miles behind a company 737, and overtaking them by about 40 knots or so, so the crew requested the right side and was denied, by the tower controller being that there were departures off of the southern runway 19L/R.


Given this situation, a 'go-around' should have been decided upon by the crew and executed promptly, however even after denial of the right side a landing was made on this runway anyhow.


Is this legal?


Can the PIC, make the decision to utilize a runway after denial by ATC?


I'm just a 'Too low' hour pilot, and don't really know squat, except how to put my pants on one leg at a time. I've never seen this before.

Thanks for your answers in advance, ATC Rocks!

[FrankiegPilot]

I am also a low time pilot, but if you ask me dude if the tower denied southwest to land on a different runway, then I would think its because of a good reason. So with that being said, being the P.I.C if he really felt he had to, then he would just go around. I was tought whenever you have to second guess your landing, the safest thing to do is just to go around. To answer your question if that is legal, well I'm not sure but I dont see why not.

[hkrach]

I am still in the wannabe pilot category, but even I know that you cannot land on a runway at a controlled field without having been cleared to land on that runway, short of an emergency. I would guess that there might have been some communication that you did not hear, or you may have misheard a communication, or possibly with the close proximety of the runways, maybe it appeared that they sidestepped to 25R, when in reality, they were able to slow down enough and land on 25L. I would also have to wonder why the controller wouldn't have issued a land and hold short clearance for 25R. Obviously there was more going on than just what you heard.

[FiveO]

Hey RookiePilot,

First things first. We are all still learning so don't feel unsure to ask a question. I am going to agree with what hkrach had said. There was most likely a communication that was made that you didnt hear or pick up on the handheld. In the event that there was an emergency than it would likely be set up for the pilot to land on either. Hopefully this answers your question.

[hkrach]

Just adding to my previous reply... I just reread it and realize I came off a little condescending (I hope I spelled that right). I didn't mean to...just replying to your question with the best answer I had. I'm still in the same shoes as you. I only have about 8 hours logged, the most recent of which was 10 years ago (and I'm only 25 years old), so I'm jsut a rookie like you, so I have many questions as well.

[RookiePilot]

Thanks for replies, I must have missed something, with regard to the transmissions.


Also the reason I tried to add a bit humility to my thread was as I said it was my very first thread, and I'm asking a question, I didn't want to come across as a jerk or anything.


'Like they say, you only have one opportunity to make a first impression!'


Good Day!

[PilotChip]

Good questions!

I don't know the answer for KLAS, but in general if they're maintaining visual sep then the controller is primarily responsible for category sep on the runway between both the landing a/c.

In any case, the first landing 737 needs to be off the runway before the second 737 can land (cross the ldg threshold).