Ask The Pilot

[harvyk]

Do you like when pax visit the coughpit (before or after a flight, obviously can't do it mid flight anymore), or do you find it an annoyance, or does it just depend on the day?
and is there an official policy on coughpit visits by pax after flights? I did a visit mid way through last year, at the end of last year I was told that it was against company policy, but I did one again this year... All on QF

As a side note on the first visit the captain \ first officer \ second officer where very eager to show me things and answer questions etc... Thus where my avatar photo comes from...

 

[jb747]

I should have said this was on QF63, the southern routes were flown to optimise fuel (airlines are run by accountants after all).

They are a lot shorter. Most people, when looking at routes use the wrong sort of map. That distorts the actual shortest route quite dramatically. Use a globe, and a piece of thread (or one of the myriad computer programs), and you get a true idea of shortest routes. For instance, looking at most maps, Sydney to London would appear to be shortest if you go roughly in a straight line over the middle east, whereas the actual shortest route is up near Beijing.

 

[jb747]

Do you like when pax visit the coughpit (before or after a flight, obviously can't do it mid flight anymore), or do you find it an annoyance, or does it just depend on the day?
and is there an official policy on coughpit visits by pax after flights? I did a visit mid way through last year, at the end of last year I was told that it was against company policy, but I did one again this year... All on QF

As a side note on the first visit the captain \ first officer \ second officer where very eager to show me things and answer questions etc... Thus where my avatar photo comes from...

There is no policy against it on the ground. I have people up there regularly. I used to have lots of visitors in flight, but of course those days are gone.

 

[yohy?!]

When commuting are you loyal to QF or do you go by who is on sale 2 months out

Sent from my HTC Legend using AustFreqFly App

 

[jb747]

When commuting are you loyal to QF or do you go by who is on sale 2 months out

I normally don't know 2 months out. QF only.

 

[NM]

I normally don't know 2 months out. QF only.

And do you normally look for 767 flights?

That way you can be ready to raise your hand if the call goes out "Both pilots have food poisoning. Is there anyone who can land the plane?"

 

[jb747]

And do you normally look for 767 flights?

That way you can be ready to raise your hand if the call goes out "Both pilots have food poisoning. Is there anyone who can land the plane?"

I think I can realistically say that I wouldn't have too much trouble with 737,767 or 330.

I do normally look for 767 flights, simply because I like them.

 

[mannej]

I think I can realistically say that I wouldn't have too much trouble with 737,767 or 330.

I do normally look for 767 flights, simply because I like them.

With that in mind, what aircraft do you avoid in general?


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[jb747]

With that in mind, what aircraft do you avoid in general?

All narrow body....

 

[Sifor]

"Both pilots have food poisoning. Is there anyone who can land the plane?"

lol I've always in a kinda half weird way hoped for that providing I can get past the air marshal! Time to put all those sim and Cessna hours to good use Wack in 109.5 for YSSY 16R and you're good to go

 

[jb747]

lol I've always in a kinda half weird way hoped for that providing I can get past the air marshal! Time to put all those sim and Cessna hours to good use Wack in 109.5 for YSSY 16R and you're good to go

Well, as long as you don't let the autopilot disconnect, you'd have a chance....

Even simple things...like whacking in 109.5....where, how, why?

Could you learn how to do it? Yes.

Without any specific training...No. Not a chance.

It is an interesting game though.

 

[Sifor]

Even simple things...like whacking in 109.5....where, how, why?

From memory..what you do in the sim for B737-800 (omitting auto break, spoiler arm and other things not related to the ILS):

109.5 for ILS 16R YSSY. DME 112.1. Set Nav 1 to 109.5 and activate. Nav/GPS switch set on Nav.Turn on (if not already on) autopilot master and set your heading as per ATC vectors until established on the localiser. Auto throttle as required. Course 155 as per ILS heading, observe the HSI, capture and maintain the localiser and enter Nav mode. Activate approach mode once the glidescope signals you to start descending. Prior to touchdown disconnect AP master and flare the aircraft.

You've perked my interest, tonight I'll have a refresher flight and see how the above goes...

I've been using TACAN rather than ILS more recently so I've probably forgotten a few things

In real life, if I was in that situation, I would request for an experienced pilot for that particular aircraft to be put on the radio. The said pilot would then be able to guide me through the procedures in detail.

 

[harvyk]

From memory..what you do in the sim for B737-800 (omitting auto break, spoiler arm and other things not related to the ILS):

109.5 for ILS 16R YSSY. DME 112.1. Set Nav 1 to 109.5 and activate. Nav/GPS switch set on Nav.Turn on (if not already on) autopilot master and set your heading as per ATC vectors until established on the localiser. Auto throttle as required. Course as per ILS heading, observe the HSI, capture and maintain the localiser and enter Nav mode. Activate approach mode once the glidescope signals you to start descending. Prior to touchdown disconnect AP master and flare the aircraft.

You've perked my interest, tonight I'll have a refresher flight and see how the above goes...

I've been using TACAN rather than ILS more recently so I've probably forgotten a few things

In real life, if I was in that situation, I would request for an experienced pilot for that particular aircraft to be put on the radio. The said pilot would then be able to guide me through the procedures in detail.

I hate to say this, but I now call the default planes under microsoft flight sim "Point and shoots" because really all you need to do to get one in the air is take it to a runway, give it power and you'll get in the air, likewise with landing, aim towards the runway and you'll end up on the ground...

A couple of years back I starting playing with one called PMDG, I'd always been able to fly the default fsx planes with no problem, talk about having the belief in "my piloting skills" having the wind knocked out of them. It was anything other than easy, there are many different (important) systems which are just not simulated under the normal FSX planes... On the bright side last year when I was talking with a QF second officer he mentioned he himself flew PMDG because it was pretty close to the real thing. (Notice the key words, "pretty close")

 

[Sifor]

I hate to say this, but I now call the default planes under microsoft flight sim "Point and shoots" because really all you need to do to get one in the air is take it to a runway, give it power and you'll get in the air, likewise with landing, aim towards the runway and you'll end up on the ground...

A couple of years back I starting playing with one called PMDG, I'd always been able to fly the default fsx planes with no problem, talk about having the belief in "my piloting skills" having the wind knocked out of them. It was anything other than easy, there are many different (important) systems which are just not simulated under the normal FSX planes... On the bright side last year when I was talking with a QF second officer he mentioned he himself flew PMDG because it was pretty close to the real thing. (Notice the key words, "pretty close")

Yes I definitely agree with you on that one. I hardly ever fly the default planes for that very reason. I must say though, what I posted above was in response to the default FSX 737 since I very rarely fly civilian airliners. I expect what I said to be wrong.

FSX without heavy modification is pretty useless in both realism and appearance. I've spent about $300 (not including hardware...) on making FSX a military sim as I get bored doing simple YBBN-YSSY runs!

JB, would you mind outlining your method for an ILS approach?

 

[Kendall Roy]

A couple of years back I starting playing with one called PMDG, I'd always been able to fly the default fsx planes with no problem, talk about having the belief in "my piloting skills" having the wind knocked out of them. It was anything other than easy, there are many different (important) systems which are just not simulated under the normal FSX planes... On the bright side last year when I was talking with a QF second officer he mentioned he himself flew PMDG because it was pretty close to the real thing. (Notice the key words, "pretty close")

Starting from "Dark and Cold" on the PMDG really makes reality set in. It's no CTRL+E job to startup!

Still haven't worked out the FMC. Just stick to VFR

 

[SenZubEanS]

JB - Any thoughts or comments on the move to allow 120 QF pilots apply for up to 3 years working at FO's on EK?

 

[Sprucegoose]

JB - Any thoughts or comments on the move to allow 120 QF pilots apply for up to 3 years working at FO's on EK?

Yes, what is the motivation for this 'offer'. What's the downside for anyone who participates? Aren't EK predominately 777? What retraining in required?

 

[harvyk]

When you get certified for a type of plane, does that include engines?

For example, if your certified for the 747, and you fly 747 with RR engines, could (and would) you also fly 747's with GE engines, or are you limited to one engine type as well?

 

[jb747]

JB - Any thoughts or comments on the move to allow 120 QF pilots apply for up to 3 years working at FO's on EK?

I've been away, and have heard nothing about this. From comments heard around the traps, I think there'd be well over 120 considering going to EK permanently. I doubt that many who took such a deal would ever been seen again.

 

[jb747]

Aren't EK predominately 777? What retraining in required?

You'd need to 'convert' your licence to some appropriate country. EK also have 330/340 and 380. No conversions required. 777 would be a full conversion from either 747 or 767, and would take about 3-4 months to complete.