Runway 16R at YSSY
Runway 16R/34L at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (YSSY) in Sydney is a 12,999 ft, lighted, asphalt runway oriented 168°/348°. The runway is 148 ft wide, with a 279 ft displaced threshold on the 16R end. SkyMeter has observed 2,491 landings and 3,054 departures on this runway over the last 30 days, with approximately 0.1% of arrivals resulting in a go-around (3 events). Trace data shows an average final-approach slope of 2.2°, touchdowns averaging 582 ft past the threshold, a typical touchdown ground speed of 129 kt, a 4.3 kt average crosswind component, a 17.0 kt average headwind.
Runway 16R/34L at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (YSSY) in Sydney is a 12,999 ft, lighted, asphalt runway oriented 168°/348°. The runway is 148 ft wide, with a 279 ft displaced threshold on the 16R end. SkyMeter has observed 2,491 landings and 3,054 departures on this runway over the last 30 days, with approximately 0.1% of arrivals resulting in a go-around (3 events). Trace data shows an average final-approach slope of 2.2°, touchdowns averaging 582 ft past the threshold, a typical touchdown ground speed of 129 kt, a 4.3 kt average crosswind component, a 17.0 kt average headwind.
Runway at a Glance
Arrival Volume
2,491 landings observed on Runway 16R in the last 30 days, alongside 3,054 departures.
Low Go-Around Rate
0.1% of arrivals at Runway 16R result in a go-around (3 in the last 30 days).
Peak Hour
Busiest landing window observed at 21:00 with 17 arrivals on the recent sample.
Average Touchdown Zone
Aircraft touch down on average 582 ft from the threshold on Runway 16R.
Prevailing Wind & Gust History
Over the past 365 days, winds at YSSY have prevailed from the west-northwest (300°), accounting for roughly 14% of windy observations. Average wind speed sits at 10.3 kt with peak gusts to 48 kt. Strong winds (≥20 kt) occur on about 7% of observations — pilots flying into runway 16R should plan for occasional gusty conditions.
Light Crosswind Component
Average crosswind on landing is 4.3 kt at touchdown, measured against runway 16R alignment.
Approach Slope
Final-approach slope averages 2.2° on Runway 16R, shallower than the standard 3°.
Landing Behavior and Touchdown Performance
The metrics below are computed from ADS-B trace data observed at Runway 16R over the last 30 days. Each value is shown only when at least 10 valid samples were available; sparse cells are hidden rather than estimated.
Hourly Landing Distribution
Recent observed landings on Runway 16R grouped by hour-of-day (UTC).
Go-Around Analysis
A go-around occurs when a pilot aborts a landing attempt and initiates a climb to return for another approach. While go-arounds are a normal safety procedure, their frequency and causes provide insight into operational challenges at specific runways. Runway 16R experienced go-arounds in 0.1% of arrivals over the last 30 days (3 events of 2494 attempts).
Recent Go-Around Events
These events represent normal safety procedures and do not indicate operational deficiencies.
Go-Around Causes Distribution
Environmental factors dominate go-around causes, indicating that operational procedures remain sound.
Approach Types and Categories
Aircraft approach runways using different procedures based on weather conditions, visibility, and available navigation equipment. An Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach provides precision horizontal and vertical guidance using ground-based radio signals, enabling aircraft to land in low visibility conditions. Visual approaches require pilots to maintain visual contact with the runway and surrounding terrain, typically used during clear weather. Area Navigation (RNAV) approaches use GPS technology to guide aircraft along specific flight paths.
Approach Categories Explained
Category (CAT) classifications define minimum visibility and decision height requirements for instrument approaches. Higher categories enable operations in lower visibility conditions.
Wind and Environmental Factors
Wind conditions directly impact runway operations, influencing approach difficulty, landing performance, and runway selection. Runway 16R benefits from favorable wind alignment, with prevailing winds creating minimal crosswind components for most operations. Average wind speeds of 12 knots pose no operational constraints for commercial aircraft.
24-Hour Wind Pattern
Wind patterns show typical diurnal variation with stronger winds during midday hours.