There’s Nothing Quite Like an SNA Departure
Posted by Ok-Skill-8259@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 95 comments
Departed SNA’s 20R this afternoon on AS373 (N514AS / 17 year old 737-800). It is truly a unique experience - full thrust take-off and steep climb out followed almost immediately by a throttle back over the Newport Beach residential area…seemingly gliding until you reach the Pacific! I tried to keep the camera as level as possible. Watch as much or as little as you like. I hope geeks like me enjoy it.
thmoas@reddit
this is msfs, bar teh noise
am i stupid or is this msfs with sound on top?
las_balas_tres@reddit
There is not a single person walking around outside.
thmoas@reddit
the cars after takeoff. msfs cant do cars like that
Ok-Skill-8259@reddit (OP)
Rewatching my own video, I thought to myself, “This looks like MSFS!” 🤣 It’s real, I promise!
matthewe-x@reddit
First airport I ever flew out of as a kid.
scully360@reddit
It will never not amaze me that we can get into a plane and fly. Something that just over 100 years ago would have seemed like wizardry.
Ok-Skill-8259@reddit (OP)
Every time I get on a plane, which is a lot, I am amazed. It's like I'm 9 years old again, flying for the very first time.
CampDracula@reddit
My home airport!!! It’s so cool to see it on here. Yah, the takeoffs are really steep, and when the aircraft banks, it sometimes feels like the pilot intentionally wants to fly the aircraft upside down and into the ground.
DeadFacesInMyPocket@reddit
Awesome video but...man this also belongs in a suburbanhell subreddit! Lol
SomeRandomJagoff@reddit
Great video. I’m a really nervous flyer, like I haven’t been on a plane in years. The first time I flew out of SNA was about 20 years ago. The pilot described the takeoff procedure, including that they would throttle back during the climb due to noise abatement whatevers. I freaked out and thought, “You’re going to WHAT?!?”. The plane was already buttoned up, otherwise I might have walked out.
Ok-Skill-8259@reddit (OP)
Ouch. NOT the airport you want to fly out of if you are a nervous flyer! Of course, 90% of the fear is the anticipation, so it's probably for the best that they no longer announce the takeoff and climb out procedure. It's now like a roller coaster you didn't know you'd be riding!
No_School_6290@reddit
Alaska just does a normal takeoff procedure out of SNA now because it doesn’t exceed the noise ordinance. (Normal is flap 25 takeoff, often with bump (max) thrust).
r361k@reddit
We do the same departure there on a 737 at UAL as everywhere else.
tomsawyerisme@reddit
we dont tho its an nadp1.
r361k@reddit
We do nadp 1s and 2s everywhere. That’s it. We have nadp1s at numerous other airports. At another airline I worked at we had a special procedure that wasn’t either of these. I am saying we don’t have a special procedure like that.
tomsawyerisme@reddit
ah i gotchu
seattle747@reddit
AA too with the 738. I was so bummed.
dsamajors@reddit
What makes taking off from here different? Not familiar with the airport but it’s cool to hear full power for so long
KAugsburger@reddit
Once you get above 800 feet they had to reduce power to reduce noise for homes along the back bay until they get over the ocean. Their curfew also limits takeoff from 10pm to 7am. They have a bunch of monitoring stations in the area to verify compliance if aircraft exceed noise allowance. They have fairly strict noise abatement rules.
It is also a relatively short runway for commercial operations at 5,700 so pilots can't reduce thrust on takeoff like they can at airport with longer runways.
03-several-wager@reddit
I’ve gotten screwed by that curfew before. Southwest was delayed flying into SNA so midair they rerouted us to LAX and then bussed the whole plane, or those who wanted it, down to SNA around midnight. I lived like 15 minutes away from SNA at the time and was so annoyed lol
Vegetable-Profit-200@reddit
Noise ordinance. So the idea is to climb fast at full power, get out over the water, circle a few times to gain altitude, and then fly back across the city at said higher altitude. All in the name of lower noise.
Fresh-Word2379@reddit
You never have to circle.
Vegetable-Profit-200@reddit
Every time I’ve gone SNA to DEN we have…
RustGrit@reddit
No you haven’t.
Fresh-Word2379@reddit
I live right under the curve of most flights. Just looked at the last 10 flights to Denver and they just do what most do. Head out? Hang a left, and cross back south of Laguna Beach. I’ve flown out \~25 times in the past few years and never circled on the way up. I’ve had to “go around” on the approach from the east a couple times, but that’s it. Back when they flew 727s and very loud 757s that launched low, it was different. Power-down was downright scary if you weren’t expecting it.
LootenantTwiddlederp@reddit
You’re probably confusing circling/VCOA with the standard departure/radar vectors out of SNA. There’s no circling. The Standard Departure (SID) out of there takes you over the water then back inland. Since you’re going east, it may look like you’re VCOA (visual climb over airfield, another type of departure procedure) but you’re not.
fly123123123@reddit
The idea is to climb fast and cut the power before you’re over the coastal properties heading westbound (where all of the NIMBYs live), not to get over the water and then climb.
yourlocalFSDO@reddit
There’s no circling
cre8ivjay@reddit
As I recall, there are noise bylaws which makes it really interesting. Feels steep, and then the engines cut down. For me, it was really quiet and almost eerie. Kinda freaked me out.
Exotic-Sale-3003@reddit
NIMBYs
Enough-Photo8406@reddit
That used to scare the shit out of me when they throttle back🤣🤣
InfamousBoat7986@reddit
SNA and DCA both are a unique experience
didsomebodysaywander@reddit
I would add BUR to that list.
dtlabsa@reddit
Lax to Florida sitting port side takes the cake. You get the South Bay, PV, then Long Beach and the entirety of LA County, before cutting across the OC.
SomeRandomJagoff@reddit
Terminal Island. Really nice pic.
kwp302@reddit
I’d love to experience this takeoff on a Delta 752 on one of their transcon routes
tpa338829@reddit
I landed on a B757 from ATL at SNA and my only thought was "they can take off in this thing with enough fuel for ATL????"
Speedymcspeeder@reddit
It's not any different other planes. I've flown all sorts out of there. You wouldn't notice a difference performance wise. Yeah, it COULD produce more thrust but it is still a rated takeoff.
Ok-Skill-8259@reddit (OP)
Yeah but…it’s the Atari Ferrari!!! That makes everything better! 😜
Ok-Skill-8259@reddit (OP)
I have before and it was truly amazing.
tpa338829@reddit
Used to be my home airport until super recently (now LGB).
I'll never forget having a relatively new pilot into SNA coming in from Vegas.
It was your super standard 45 min flight from LAS to SoCal. Coming in, I knew of the short runway and quick touchdown pilots like to do. So much so, that I had learned, visually, where along the terminal we'd be touching down in an A320/B737.
But on this flight from LAS-SNA, we were landing and I was looking out the window and thought "huh, we sure going a long ways along the terminal." Right then, BOOOM we crash landed onto the runway and the engines where in full throttle back. I thought "lol, someone didn't keep in mind the runway length."
Gurneydragger@reddit
Ahhh, OC was home. Still miss so cal.
not_so_subtle_now@reddit
I grew up hanging out down on the peninsula, flying out of John Wayne, going to Disneyland with locals passes, listening to live music in Fullerton. It was a good way to grow up.
Krakenmonstah@reddit
Out of curiosity and if you don’t mind disclosing, where are you at now?
jgmiller24094@reddit
Was on a full flight to Newark in January plane was on time we loaded up and then they started offering people $200 to take another flight, no takers and no explanation other than a full flight. We sat there as they kept making the offer and upping it some. Finally after an hour the pilot came on offered $1000 to get off and told us we weren’t going anywhere until 6 people got off because we were over weight and the air temp kept going up. That got peoples attention and about 8 took the offer. That short runway can play havoc with things when it gets hot.
graytotoro@reddit
A part of me wants to buy a condo near SNA just so I can watch the planes take off & land every day. That's a better perk than a pool & gym. Something tells me my significant other might feel different about that...
cuddlems@reddit
Truly beautiful.
nkawtgpilot@reddit
Fuck that place and fuck the dumbass rich people choose to who move near an airport and then complain about the noise of the airport that was there first
223-Remington@reddit
California is full of entitled retards lol. (I have to live with them!)
And I'm gonna be doing flight training outta this airport, so I *assume* I'll have to fly a different pattern to appease said tardos lmfao
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emmetropic@reddit
California is 39 million people. That’s more than most states and other countries. You cant make generalized statements about an entire population that big without being a prejudicial ignorant individual. Of course you’re gonna find some terrible people out of 39 million, statistically speaking.
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Navynuke00@reddit
My exact sentiment about Orange County as a whole. Worked there for three years, hated every minute of it.
MAHHockey@reddit
Welll... half of that. Hard to beat an airport next to Disneyland. But yes, fuck the rich folks that live near it.
Traditional_Yam1598@reddit
Chill
nkawtgpilot@reddit
No. It’s asinine that we have to take on additional risk in order to not offend the ears of some rich assholes.
Traditional_Yam1598@reddit
Imagine living by a busy airport and having to listen to that all day and night. I’m guessing pilots don’t live right under the runway
JarrettP@reddit
Imagine buying a house that was built AFTER the airport was in operation and thinking you shouldn’t have to hear airplanes.
EnoughOfTheFoolery@reddit
Now you are describing what the drama for El Toro air station was. People moved in and were advised about the noise and flight patterns during the purchase and yet some raised hell trying to shut it down.
nkawtgpilot@reddit
Why doesn’t Memphis have noise restrictions when it is literally the busiest airport in the world from 10pm to 6am? There are tons of people that live all around the airport. I’ll give you one guess…
Traditional_Yam1598@reddit
How many times have they tried to get noise restrictions in Memphis?
WanderingRonin7@reddit
Its like that housing development that was constructed next to a gun range and then they had the gall to sue the gun range for noise
REPRIISESOUND@reddit
Nah, we are pro aviation here
Citistolemymoney@reddit
I live in Newport, although Newport coast not Newport Beach so I hardly ever hear any noise.
I love the take off from SNA
AliveInTheFuture@reddit
I’d want to leave that flat, boring place too.
EternalPatriotcr73@reddit
Love the audio. Had to watch a few times. Those engines 🥰
Cycleofmadness@reddit
my home airport. The pilots don't even announce the procedure ahead of time anymore.
one time yrs ago at takeoff our Southwest pilot said "shh! we have to be very quiet. Those are very expensive homes beneath us."
jack_harbor@reddit
Doing this in a 757 is also fun
rippedFueler@reddit
where's disneyland?
Navynuke00@reddit
A good bit further north and inland.
Ok-Skill-8259@reddit (OP)
Somewhere out there…🤣
rippedFueler@reddit
I don't see it
RollingBarCart@reddit
Beautiful!
ditherer01@reddit
I got to do that in a private jet about 29, years ago. We had just dropped off the last passenger (crazy corporate trip) and the pilots kept the door open and told me to watch what was happening.
Closest I've come to flying in a military plane. Coolest flying experience if my career.
Fresh-Word2379@reddit
Even better sitting on the other side!
Ok-Skill-8259@reddit (OP)
I know. Didn’t want the afternoon sun on the way up to SEA. 🙁
Fresh-Word2379@reddit
Ah - smart!
ditherer01@reddit
Yea, it sucks that the rich guys get the preferred treatment.
But shouldn't this be something everyone wants? I get it that in some places it's not feasible but where it is it seems like it should be the rule.
Echos_Silence@reddit
Personally I’ll take TPA way over SNA.
InitialAge5179@reddit
You gotta check out CYTZ departing runway 08 at night. I haven’t found anything quite like it
Mundane_Ladder_4867@reddit
You should try that at midnight. It's a rush...
busting curfew ftw
MAHHockey@reddit
"What it's like if you flew a 737 like a fighter jet."
cautionbbdriver@reddit
Yup…. Get those turbines up to 11 and get me the F out of Orange County! 😂
We visit in-laws a few times a year…. Always look forward to coming home.
223-Remington@reddit
I am so eager to be leaving this state man, the grass is always greener somewhere else :)
Ok-Skill-8259@reddit (OP)
Ha! Was visiting family so I hear ya!
cautionbbdriver@reddit
On a plus note….. check out the Lyon Air Museum that’s right across the tarmac. Some cool stuff in there and you can watch planes retake off right as the landing gear gets off the ground.
UnrecoveredSatellite@reddit
Balls to the wall.
7thpixel@reddit
Was on a SW flight out of there and the flight attendant said “Enjoy the express snack service” and pointed down to the pile of snacks at the front of the plane in the center of the aisle. When we took off they all slid directly down the aisle and we reached down and grabbed some as they went past our seats lol.
tonydtonyd@reddit
My wife’s grandma sold their home in Newport in the 70s I think fearing property values were going to going to plummet. Pretty sure that house has 50x’d since then. Moved south, sold that house again fearing the El Toro airport would tank property value, that one has like 35x’d. Lives outside of palm desert now in a house she bought 22 years ago that has increased <10% since purchase and still has a mortgage at age 99. Don’t be like grandma.
YogiBearShark@reddit
All those low rise warehouses are spectacular. Thanks so much for sharing.
theburritobanditos@reddit
Hey you flew over my apartment
onethousandmonkey@reddit
Dear god that’s a lot of private planes.
Last-Pick-7175@reddit
There’s a lot that beats that place
Malcolm2theRescue@reddit
I used to call it “The Pilots of the Caribbean departure”
airport-codes@reddit
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