Ask The Pilot

[jb747]

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

No...I don't even know what status is.

 

[Hvr]

No...I don't even know what status is.

Sorry, I meant are you a Silver or Gold or Platinum frequent flyer?

 

[The Rok]

Ask The Pilot

JB, if I could wave my magic wand and offer you the opportunity to take any other career right now other than flying, what would it be and why?

Is there a career path you always though "I would love to of been..."

I understand you love flying but we all have dreams!

 

[Rallo]

JB, More of a non aviation question , do you have a so called bucket list of things to do when you retire?

 

[jb747]

Sorry, I meant are you a Silver or Gold or Platinum frequent flyer?

No. And hopefully I never will be.....

 

[jb747]

JB, if I could wave my magic wand and offer you the opportunity to take any other career right now other than flying, what would it be and why?

Is there a career path you always though "I would love to of been..."

I understand you love flying but we all have dreams!

Lotto winner.

My fallback as a youngster would have been IT, as it was only a really new field then.

In reality I was fortunate enough to actually get what the 5 year old wanted.

 

[jb747]

JB, More of a non aviation question , do you have a so called bucket list of things to do when you retire?

Most of what I want to do relates to 'grey nomad' stuff. I certainly don't want to do any international travel, nor am I interested in light aircraft. I might look at a degree (the aviation science one would require the least effort), though my wife (who has some knowledge of these things) says that I wouldn't handle the b/s of universities very well.

In preparation, I've started doing some photography workshops and courses...though my wife isn't convinced about 'lighting the female nude' as a retirement need.

 

[Rallo]

Most of what I want to do relates to 'grey nomad' stuff. I certainly don't want to do any international travel, nor am I interested in light aircraft. I might look at a degree (the aviation science one would require the least effort), though my wife (who has some knowledge of these things) says that I wouldn't handle the b/s of universities very well.

In preparation, I've started doing some photography workshops and courses...though my wife isn't convinced about 'lighting the female nude' as a retirement need.

I think most of us would struggle with that argument !

 

[markis10]

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.

CASA definition ex AIP (Gen 22-7) for the record ( its not known how many meetings were held or committees/subcommittees formed to come up with this)!

DAY: That period of time from the beginning of morning civil twilight to the end of evening civil twilight
NIGHT: That period of time between the end of evening civil twilight to the beginning of morning civil twilight


And the definitions of those:

Beginning of morning civil twilight

Defined as the instant in the morning, when the centre of the Sun is at a depression angle of six degrees (6°) below an ideal horizon. At this time in the absence of moonlight, artificial lighting or adverse atmospheric conditions, the illumination is such that large objects may be seen but no detail is discernible. The brightest stars and planets can be seen and for navigation purposes at sea, the sea horizon is clearly defined.
Ending of evening civil twilight

Defined as the instant in the evening, when the centre of the Sun is at a depression angle of six degrees (6°) below an ideal horizon. At this time in the absence of moonlight, artificial lighting or adverse atmospheric conditions, the illumination is such that large objects may be seen but no detail is discernible. The brightest stars and planets can be seen and for navigation purposes at sea, the sea horizon is clearly defined.

 

[Must...Fly!]

JB, have you had to deal with anyone with a severe fear of flying on board?

If so, how did you go about helping/assisting them (if you did/could)?

 

[jb747]

JB, have you had to deal with anyone with a severe fear of flying on board?

If so, how did you go about helping/assisting them (if you did/could)?

I'll talk to anybody that the cabin crew tell me about. Hopefully I can allay some of their fears...at least I can answer most questions.

 

[Alanslegal]

Hi JB, this is a simple one, but in your experience whats the longest length of time where you have had to keep the fasten seatbelt sign illuminated?

I only ask as I was about to head to the toilet last week on QF1 and the signs came on as I got out of my seat ..... 40minutes later it came off. Luckily I made it

 

[jb747]

Hi JB, this is a simple one, but in your experience whats the longest length of time where you have had to keep the fasten seatbelt sign illuminated?

I only ask as I was about to head to the toilet last week on QF1 and the signs came on as I got out of my seat ..... 40minutes later it came off. Luckily I made it

We don't time it, so I can't give you an accurate answer. Probably about an hour in flight. Most likely spot for a long period on is departing and arriving when the weather is suss. You might have to allow for the entire descent, holding, and then the time on the ground. Which is why you should never wait until near the end for either the toilet break or to get out of the pyjamas. Bay of Bengal/Andaman Sea can be pretty bad too.

On the ground I've had a couple of very extensive delays (five or so hours). Basically JFK in thunderstorms and London the day of the liquid bombs. You can't turn the signs off, but you need to come up with a way of managing toilet access.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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.

just on this I have noticed some airlines do turn on 'full' lights during cruise at night sometimes (these are the strong lights from the wings - not strobes) - often this seems to have been when flying through heavy cloud. Is that particular to airline policy? And what purpose would it serve? (assuming it's not anti-collision, but does it help pilots see better?)

 

[jb747]

just on this I have noticed some airlines do turn on 'full' lights during cruise at night sometimes (these are the strong lights from the wings - not strobes) - often this seems to have been when flying through heavy cloud. Is that particular to airline policy? And what purpose would it serve? (assuming it's not anti-collision, but does it help pilots see better?)

Nobody leaves the landing lights on. They're very visible if you do.

They are sometimes used as a form of hello or acknowledgement, and on very dark nights are turned on for a while to allow us to confirm if we're in cloud or not, as we may need the anti ice to be turned on if we are.

 

[ajca]

CASA definition ex AIP (Gen 22-7) for the record ( its not known how many meetings were held or committees/subcommittees formed to come up with this)!

DAY: That period of time from the beginning of morning civil twilight to the end of evening civil twilight
NIGHT: That period of time between the end of evening civil twilight to the beginning of morning civil twilight

@markis10 That has made my day. Thank you for posting. I'd joke that Sir Humphrey & Bernand would be very proud, but I can understand why they need to be precise given pilots need certain level of qualification to fly at nighttime right?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Nobody leaves the landing lights on. They're very visible if you do.

They are sometimes used as a form of hello or acknowledgement, and on very dark nights are turned on for a while to allow us to confirm if we're in cloud or not, as we may need the anti ice to be turned on if we are.

thanks. that would explain it - always has been in heavy cloud. On a TG flight they were on for quite a while, similarly on a CX flight PVG-HKG during bad weather.

 

[Cabbage]

On the ground I've had a couple of very extensive delays (five or so hours). Basically JFK in thunderstorms and London the day of the liquid bombs. You can't turn the signs off, but you need to come up with a way of managing toilet access.

Hi JB, Can I ask how you managed the toilet access in those instances?

 

[jb747]

Hi JB, Can I ask how you managed the toilet access in those instances?

A bit like when you were in primary school. You need to use all toilets, irrespective of class issues. You cannot have anyone queuing, so a couple of cabin crew had to actively control it, and you need cooperation. We broke the cabin into sections, and took care of each in turn. Seemed to work...

 

[el_rooto]

QF44 just missed curfew by 20s the other day, what would have been the penalty if they had landed?