Ask The Pilot

[jb747]

How many new pilots would QF employ in a year.

In recent years, none.

Also do the current pilots leave due to reaching retirement age for a Pilot or is it just had enough of being away and want to do something different or promotions up the food change.

Most retire at the retirement age, or within a few of years of it. Very few leave early, though it isn't unknown.

What is the retirement age for a Pilot? Is it different for different type of aircraft?

Domestic and international are different. Within Oz, there is no mandated retirement age, so if he can get the wheel chair to the aircraft, he's right to go.

Internationally, until five years ago, it was 60. It was adjusted to 65, and now people are starting to hit that number. I guess about half go beyond 60, and a few go the whole way.

 

[Simo]

In recent years, none.



Most retire at the retirement age, or within a few of years of it. Very few leave early, though it isn't unknown.



Domestic and international are different. Within Oz, there is no mandated retirement age, so if he can get the wheel chair to the aircraft, he's right to go.

Internationally, until five years ago, it was 60. It was adjusted to 65, and now people are starting to hit that number. I guess about half go beyond 60, and a few go the whole way.

Thanks for that.

Why was the age increased from 60 to 65?

Was there a huge hole about to be made in the workforce due to this.

What would be the average age of A380 QF Pilots.

 

[jb747]

Why was the age increased from 60 to 65?

Don't know.

What would be the average age of A380 QF Pilots.

You have 3 different ranks, all with very different ages. Captain average is probably early 50s. FOs about 40. SO's in their 30s.

 

[Simo]

Don't know.




You have 3 different ranks, all with very different ages. Captain average is probably early 50s. FOs about 40. SO's in their 30s.

thanks for reply.

I always enjoy reading your reply's.

 

[jukebox333]

Any update on your schedules for the 2nd half of December, JB?

 

[jb747]

Any update on your schedules for the 2nd half of December, JB?

I'm on a 'blank line' until mid January, so I don't have any idea until about 2 days before a trip leaves Oz.

 

[mjt57]

I'm on a 'blank line' until mid January, so I don't have any idea until about 2 days before a trip leaves Oz.

So, on Dec 23 you'll get a call to advise you to look forward to a "white Christmas" in London...

Do you guys get paid public holiday rates or is it a flat rate, annualised salary?

 

[jb747]

So, on Dec 23 you'll get a call to advise you to look forward to a "white Christmas" in London...

That's very much what I expect. Or even worse, to be given a standby in Sydney. A quick look at my logbook shows that I've had 5 Xmas days off in the last 20....

Do you guys get paid public holiday rates or is it a flat rate, annualised salary?

Public holidays don't exist.... Actual salary varies with the amount of work you do.

Much of the time I have no idea what day of the week it is, and I'm often surprised when I go to the shops/bank/etc and find that they are closed because of a holiday.

 

[Simo]

You live in Mel how do you do standby in SYD or do they put you up in a Hotel for a week or so or when there is a flight that they need you for they put you on a domestic flight.

How much notice do you get for the flight.

 

[mjt57]

Much of the time I have no idea what day of the week it is, and I'm often surprised when I go to the shops/bank/etc and find that they are closed because of a holiday.

As a shiftworker I can empathise. Whilst I'm aware of PH, as we get paid penalty rates if working them, I'm totally ignorant of school holidays. I'm forever wondering why kids are loitering in the mall during the week, usually have to be told that they're on holidays. Still? I usually ask...

Anyway, hope you're not stuck in SYD twiddling your thumbs.

 

[anat0l]

When an aircraft is coming into land, I notice that the lights on the wings turn on. I hope I've described that correctly.

At what time during the course of descent do these lights come on?

I think the lights are similarly on when an aircraft takes off. When do the lights need to be turned on and when are they turned off after take off?

 

[jb747]

You live in Mel how do you do standby in SYD or do they put you up in a Hotel for a week or so or when there is a flight that they need you for they put you on a domestic flight.

As far as the company is concerned, I live in Sydney, and all duties etc are based on that. Getting to and from Sydney is my concern. I try, as much as possible, to get trips that either start or finish operating in Melbourne...that simply means you have a paxing sector at the start or end between Sydney and Melbourne.

The only time they actually recognise 'commuters', is when they are desperately trying to find someone to operate a flight that has been delayed; or to cover a disruption in your home city, and there isn't time to get the Sydney standby to do it. There are no standby duties anywhere but Sydney. In the case of the 380, there are few crew who live in Melbourne. Most commuters prefer the sun and live in Queensland.

For what it's worth, standby is not done at the airport, as that would start the CASA duty time clock. You're supposed to be able to take off within three hours of being called, which means you need to get from call to the sign on in about 2 hours. So, if, for instance, you have to replace someone on the 93 or 9 (or there is a delay and you need an entire new crew)...from call to arriving at Melbourne would be in the order of 5 hours. Minimum of an hour until take off, and you're at 6 hours. In the case of the 9, another issue is that the decision to call out the standby will have to be made by 7pm, otherwise they won't have time to catch the last jet to Melbourne. As the time duty starts in Sydney, there is never enough duty time available for a Sydney standby to be called out and to operate the 93. Once we start flying via Dubai, this issue will apply to both Melbourne departures.

All of this only refers to the pilots. There is a cabin crew base for the 380 in Melbourne.

How much notice do you get for the flight.

Normally I get about 36 hours notice, but it can be as short as about 12.

 

[jb747]

When an aircraft is coming into land, I notice that the lights on the wings turn on. I hope I've described that correctly.

At what time during the course of descent do these lights come on?

I think the lights are similarly on when an aircraft takes off. When do the lights need to be turned on and when are they turned off after take off?

The red beacon is on any time an aircraft is being towed or its engines are running.

We turn on the taxy, camera, nose gear and wing lights as soon as we are cleared to taxy. The landing lights and strobe come on when we are cleared to line up. Most are then selected off after flap retraction, but the landing and wing lights are left on until 10,000 feet. On descent the reverse happens. Landing and wing on at 10,000 feet. All of the others on at gear down. Strobe and landing lights off as you exit the runway, and the remaining forward lights off as you turn into the bay.

 

[The Rok]

Ask The Pilot

Do do you have any external lights on at full cruise at all! If so, what are their purpose, apart from the obvious are there colour coded lights @ cruise that mean something?

 

[jb747]

Do do you have any external lights on at full cruise at all! If so, what are their purpose, apart from the obvious are there colour coded lights @ cruise that mean something?

In a daytime cruise, the only external lights are the red beacon and white strobes. At night the nav lights are turned on, that gives the red and green wing tip lights and the white tail light. Everything else is off.

 

[flychrisfly]

In a daytime cruise, the only external lights are the red beacon and white strobes. At night the nav lights are turned on, that gives the red and green wing tip lights and the white tail light. Everything else is off.

When does daytime end and night time begin (and vv) in the world of airplane operations? I know there are at least 3 different definitions for this transition and curious to know which applies to commercial aircraft.

 

[userlame]

JB - thanks again for this thread, it's been a very interesting read and one of the main reasons I come on AFF.

My questions: Since you are paxing MEL-SYD and presumably return out of your own pocket, do you still choose to fly Qantas? Do you get a special rate? Do you earn status and/or points, and if so, can you use the Lounge (I believe no Qantas staff is allowed this?).

Also, do you subscribe to any aviation magazines? If so, which ones?

 

[jb747]

When does daytime end and night time begin (and vv) in the world of airplane operations? I know there are at least 3 different definitions for this transition and curious to know which applies to commercial aircraft.

When it looks dark or light. Nothing complex at all..... That's for the lights.

There is a defined time by CASA, which from the top of my head is 20 minutes either side of sunset/sunrise. But, as I'm not restricted to daylight, it isn't something I need to consider.

 

[jb747]

My questions: Since you are paxing MEL-SYD and presumably return out of your own pocket, do you still choose to fly Qantas? Do you get a special rate?

The answer varies a fair bit.

Sometimes I have duty tickets (i.e. company issued) that I'm able to use. Otherwise, I'll try to use staff travel, though that can be problematic at busy times. Buying 'real' tickets is often no more expensive, and means you aren't standby, but in general the notice I get is too short to allow a cheap ticket price.

I've used Virgin a couple of times, and I've had to drive once or twice too.

Do you earn status and/or points, and if so, can you use the Lounge (I believe no Qantas staff is allowed this?).

We can join the lounge on the same basis as anyone else. Access is otherwise very restricted. You get points on commercial tickets the same as anyone else. Staff or duty tickets certainly don't attract them.

Also, do you subscribe to any aviation magazines? If so, which ones?

No. These days the net is my friend.

 

[Hvr]

Do you have status with QF or even DJ through your self funded travel?