Ask The Pilot

[jetlagger]

The passion changes I guess. cough after an A4 isn't the same as going for fly in an airliner, but the challenges can be even greater. I've probably got around 3 years left in my career, and I think I've ticked most of the boxes that I'd like to tick with regard to actual aviation.

I still enjoy flying the aircraft, but when I finish up, I think I'll miss the people much more than the machinery. I don't think I'll miss the industry at all.

I'm sure you have had to this point, an illustrious career in aviation.
Once again JB, thank you for all your continued contributions to the AFF forum.
I was also most delighted to view your videos on You Tube. Fantastic scenery from the most respected position in the airplane.
I would feel honoured to be a passenger on any of your varied flights.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

I've probably got around 3 years left in my career, and I think I've ticked most of the boxes that I'd like to tick with regard to actual aviation. I still enjoy flying the aircraft, but when I finish up, I think I'll miss the people much more than the machinery. I don't think I'll miss the industry at all.

What is the selection criteria used for tech crew to bid across from one aircraft type to another - for example from the 744 to the 388. Is it done based on seniority or do the beancounters get involved and look at the cost involved in someone getting an endorsement on a new aircraft type vs the number of flying years they have left? In other words would someone who has 10+yrs before retirement be selected before someone who has <2yrs to go?

 

[mjt57]

I still enjoy flying the aircraft, but when I finish up, I think I'll miss the people much more than the machinery. I don't think I'll miss the industry at all.

I'll bet that there are a lot of guys in GA who'd be gnashing their teeth reading that...

Whatever, you've achieved much, much more than most people could ever dream of.

 

[Major]

The passion changes I guess. cough after an A4 isn't the same as going for fly in an airliner, but the challenges can be even greater. I've probably got around 3 years left in my career, and I think I've ticked most of the boxes that I'd like to tick with regard to actual aviation.

I still enjoy flying the aircraft, but when I finish up, I think I'll miss the people much more than the machinery. I don't think I'll miss the industry at all.

How about the start of your career. Did you learn to fly in the RAN ? What was the first aircraft you flew and what was the progression to the A4 ?

 

[NM]

A question for any of the pilots on the forum:

If you could choose to take any aircraft flying for a few hours, what would you choose and why? It may be something you fly regularly, something you have flown in the past, or something you just wish you had the chance to fly but have not (yet) received the opportunity. Small, large, fast, acrobatic, military, commercial, experimental ... ?

 

[harvyk]

A question for any of the pilots on the forum:

If you could choose to take any aircraft flying for a few hours, what would you choose and why? It may be something you fly regularly, something you have flown in the past, or something you just wish you had the chance to fly but have not (yet) received the opportunity. Small, large, fast, acrobatic, military, commercial, experimental ... ?

Can wanna be pilots answer this?

747-400...

 

[Ewing]

in the US AA will ask all pax to close the window shades on disembarkation to help keep the cabin cool prior to the next flight boarding.

When I flew QF7 into DFW last year it was over 40'C. We were asked to do the same.

 

[NM]

Can wanna be pilots answer this?

747-400...

Nope, just pilots (current and past)

 

[jb747]

What is the selection criteria used for tech crew to bid across from one aircraft type to another - for example from the 744 to the 388. Is it done based on seniority or do the beancounters get involved and look at the cost involved in someone getting an endorsement on a new aircraft type vs the number of flying years they have left? In other words would someone who has 10+yrs before retirement be selected before someone who has <2yrs to go?

Basically seniority, but with some modifiers. A lot of the initial 380 commands were to people from the 330, who wouldn't have seniority to get onto the aircraft now, but who brought Airbus experience that the company wanted onto the fleet. For the older people, I think they want a minimum return (number of years on the fleet), but I don't know what that figure is. The training department do have some level of involvement too....whilst they might not have a veto, their recommendation would be hard to disregard.

In general terms, the seniority list is simply a queue....

 

[markis10]

A question for any of the pilots on the forum:

If you could choose to take any aircraft flying for a few hours, what would you choose and why? It may be something you fly regularly, something you have flown in the past, or something you just wish you had the chance to fly but have not (yet) received the opportunity. Small, large, fast, acrobatic, military, commercial, experimental ... ?

Beechcraft starship, because it was such a revolutionary product being the first production composite built aircraft, the fact its also a Rutan design is a bonus (I am a fan). There are very few left in the world so the chances of my wish coming true are very remote, but at least there is a fuselage in Caboolture that I can admire, the late Col Pay having donated it after purchasing the aircraft for its engines.

[video=youtube;uBMtfbf_ThM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBMtfbf_ThM[/video]

 

[jb747]

How about the start of your career. Did you learn to fly in the RAN ? What was the first aircraft you flew and what was the progression to the A4 ?

Didn't we cover this somewhere already...

I joined the RAN straight from school, and was initially trained as an Observer (the navy version of a navigator). The course is run by the RAAF at East Sale. From there I was on the last Wessex operational conversion, and then the very first Seaking course. After six years in the back seat, I got a pilots' course, but sadly graduated just in time to watch the Fleet Air Arm slowly die. Nevertheless, I was on the second last A4 course, and had a couple of fun years there. At that point it was still possible for us to get Harriers, so I put my hand up to do the flying instructors course, and then taught at Pt Cook (on the CT4) for a couple of years. Reason for taking the CT4 instead of the Macchi was that it was a much shorter queue, but the qualification was the same. Whilst at Pt Cook the axe fell. RAN offered me a helo conversion, RAAF offered F111s and Qantas offered 747s. It was an easy choice.

Within QF.
S/O on the 747-200/300
F/O on the 747-200/300
F/O on the 747-400
Captain on the 767-200/300
Captain 747-400
Captain 380-800

I've been very fortunate within QF, mostly managing to be in the right spot at the right time.

 

[jb747]

A question for any of the pilots on the forum:

If you could choose to take any aircraft flying for a few hours, what would you choose and why? It may be something you fly regularly, something you have flown in the past, or something you just wish you had the chance to fly but have not (yet) received the opportunity. Small, large, fast, acrobatic, military, commercial, experimental ... ?

In the civil world, I wouldn't mind an hour or two in a 747-800. Overall, the F4....

 

[mannej]

Just seen these pictures on the net, how survivable is something like this?

Accident: Syrian Arab A320 near Damascus on Sep 20th 2012, mid air collision with helicopter

 

[ColinP]

At that point it was still possible for us to get Harriers,

Is that about the time (1982) the RAN was going to buy HMS Invincible but Maggie Thatcher decided she needed it to defend a bit of rock in the South Atlantic?

 

[jukebox333]

*snip*
Whilst at Pt Cook the axe fell. RAN offered me a helo conversion, RAAF offered F111s and Qantas offered 747s. It was an easy choice.
*snip

I must admit I was surprised at this JB - I assumed flying the F-111 would be seen as the brass ring to grab with both hands when it came to Aussie military aviation; so when you say "easy choice", do you mean as in a more financially rewarding road, or easy as in a natural progression to an aviation career in civillian life? Or something else?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just seen these pictures on the net, how survivable is something like this?

Accident: Syrian Arab A320 near Damascus on Sep 20th 2012, mid air collision with helicopter

wow - they were very lucky! Complete tail loss and I think the plane crashes - JL and AA as examples. How much more the aircraft in the pictures could have lost and still fly?

 

[Boris spatsky]

A question for any of the pilots on the forum:

If you could choose to take any aircraft flying for a few hours, what would you choose and why? It may be something you fly regularly, something you have flown in the past, or something you just wish you had the chance to fly but have not (yet) received the opportunity. Small, large, fast, acrobatic, military, commercial, experimental ... ?

Warbird = Lancaster. Just a beautiful aircraft, or Mosquito.

Modern = A10. If i could have joined the USAF, i would have tried for them. An aircraft built around a 30mm cannon. Just awesome.

 

[flychrisfly]

What is the radius/diameter of a hard turn in the A380 and how does this compare to a normal turn? Do weight and speed have much impact?
Thanks.

 

[jb747]

Just seen these pictures on the net, how survivable is something like this?

Accident: Syrian Arab A320 near Damascus on Sep 20th 2012, mid air collision with helicopter

If you're in the helicopter it's not....

There have been many events similar to this over the years. Lose enough of the tail to lose the aircraft's directional stability, and that will be the end of the discussion. But, if enough remains, then you land and get a new pair of undies.

This is the most extreme example that I've ever heard of B-52, hey mom, no tail!
The aircraft concerned has some particular features that led to its survival. Anhedral and such a large side area aft of the wing are unusual combinations, but served to help the aircraft survive.

I don't see this recent event as being a vindication of any particular form of construction or flight control system.

 

[jb747]

I must admit I was surprised at this JB - I assumed flying the F-111 would be seen as the brass ring to grab with both hands when it came to Aussie military aviation; so when you say "easy choice", do you mean as in a more financially rewarding road, or easy as in a natural progression to an aviation career in civillian life? Or something else?

I don't know that Mirage or A4 pilots would see it that way. Even now, I don't see it as an attractive choice compared to the single seat options.

The other choice that existed was to follow many of my friends and go to the UK to fly the Sea Harrier. I didn't take any action in that regard, but some of the guys had very good careers there.

It was simply time to move on, I'd ticked the boxes there.