why the zig zag approach over tower bridge then waterloo bridge into heathrow?

[MPwannadecentincome]

I often wonder when flying into Heathrow, what is this zig zag left hard turn between canary wharf and tower bridge then another sharp right near waterloo bridge/millenium wheel before eventually straightening up for the landing approach?

question must be fresh in my mind - flight landed 30 mins early on a 1.5 hr flight!

[Zippy]

To give the tourists a good view?

Been in the stack and it was sooooo good we saw it three times.

[Menelaus]

London TMA?

[Zippy]

What is TMA?

[MPwannadecentincome]

What is TMA?

WHS

[Menelaus]

WSS

Fixed that for you

Air traffic control - London TMA = London terminal maneuvering area, including approach to LHR.

[KentPhilip]

What is TMA?

Terminal Maneuvering Area

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

I recon the pilot was just practicing for the red bull air races... left at the canery wharf tower, right at big ben, wing over the gherkin...

don't know.

[Zippy]

Fixed that for you

Air traffic control - London TMA = London terminal maneuvering area, including approach to LHR.

Probably. I demanded to speak to the manager but he was busy

Milan --> LHR 2 hour delay before we started. Scenic view of London (repeat ad nauseum). V.v. grumpy Zip

[MPwannadecentincome]

Terminal Maneuvering Area

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

I recon the pilot was just practicing for the red bull air races... left at the canery wharf tower, right at big ben, wing over the gherkin...

don't know.

No its always happens there - I've often wondered about it...

[MPwannadecentincome]

Fixed that for you

Air traffic control - London TMA = London terminal maneuvering area, including approach to LHR.

Many thanks for fixing :-)

TMA - ok but so what, why is the TMA a zig zag? We already were in a stack near NE london close to the M25, why doesn't the TMA direct the traffic in a straight line out of the stack into approach, what is with the sharp left and right turns in a tight confined space, is it to do with noise levels over certain parts of London?