Pilots call Wathelet's plan 'dangerous'

Belgian pilots are unhappy with a statement by Melchior Wathelet in which the State Secretary for Environment, Energy and Mobility expresses his intention to higher the maximum allowed tailwind at Brussels Airport, from 5 to 7 knots for take off and landing. "Everyone's safety is at risk," said the Belgian Cockpit Association (BeCA). "Landing an aircraft with a strong tailwind means that it approaches the runway at a higher speed, resulting in overloaded brakes or, in extreme cases, missing the runway altogether." The current system requires aircrafts to make rounds before landing in the case of too much tailwind. This creates additional noise above the capital, something which Wathelet is trying to limit at the expense of safety, according to the pilots.