Ask The Pilot

[jb747]

We are travelling on QF 127 Tuesday week with my 3 year old, who would love to meet the pilot and see the coughpit after the flight. When is the best time to ask if it is possible?

Ask the cabin crew at a time when they aren't otherwise busy (i.e. not whilst serving a meal). Otherwise, ask when you're disembarking. If you see one of the pilots go for a wander through the aircraft at any time, ask him.

 

[Mwenenzi]

....For an FO, or a junior Captain, moving away can be very attractive. There are ex QF guys already flying the 787 overseas. Promotional prospects are one of the biggest attractions, and these (ME) airlines are at the top of the list for that.

Have any QF A380 pilots left and gone to work for any ME or other arlines ?

 

[jb747]

Have any QF A380 pilots left and gone to work for any ME or other arlines ?

A few, though not necessarily flying the A380.

 

[Starinc]

Ask the cabin crew at a time when they aren't otherwise busy (i.e. not whilst serving a meal). Otherwise, ask when you're disembarking. If you see one of the pilots go for a wander through the aircraft at any time, ask him.

Thanks JB, the little guy is so excited everyday he wakes up asking if we are going that day and every plane he see's he asks if that is our plane. It would truly make a great start to our holiday if we could get a visit.

 

[SenZubEanS]

A few, though not necessarily flying the A380.

When QF offered the LWOP arrangement to EK, did you consider it at all or not something which was ever on the table for you?

 

[jb747]

When QF offered the LWOP arrangement to EK, did you consider it at all or not something which was ever on the table for you?

QF never offered anything other than the LWOP. They certainly weren't arranging anything for those who wanted to go.

In any case, people of my age/rank were of no interest to the other airlines anyway. I'd expect they really don't think many will be returning at the end of their time, so they want people young enough to have some time left.

Personally. Not interested. My next move involves zero aircraft.

 

[petercr]

JB, I see there's a multi-part docco on Dubai Airport coming up soon on Murdoch Pay TV (Foxtel) - have you and/or Q been involved in this?

(starts 17th Sept on Discovery for those not in the know)

 

[Hvr]

<snip>
Personally. Not interested. My next move involves zero aircraft.

So from a plane life to a plain life.

 

[jb747]

JB, I see there's a multi-part docco on Dubai Airport coming up soon on Murdoch Pay TV (Foxtel) - have you and/or Q been involved in this?

(starts 17th Sept on Discovery for those not in the know)

I certainly haven't. As it's really an Emirates airport, I'd expect they'll be about 99% of the show.

 

[mono88]

I certainly haven't. As it's really an Emirates airport, I'd expect they'll be about 99% of the show.

Without seeing anything about this show, it is most likely that Emirates or a related party paid for or produced this show.

 

[mjt57]

JB, article in the paper today, pretty much reinforcing what you talk about "go arounds".

Leading cause of flight deaths: pilots failing to abort landings

I didn't think that it was such a widespread issue.

 

[petercr]

According to the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy...

'There is an art, it says, or rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. … Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, which presents the difficulties'

and

'...You will also learn about how to land properly, which is something you will almost certainly screw up, and screw up badly, on your first attempt.'

 

[jb747]

JB, article in the paper today, pretty much reinforcing what you talk about "go arounds".

Leading cause of flight deaths: pilots failing to abort landings

I didn't think that it was such a widespread issue.

I think they made up the 97% statistic. Individuals may be unwilling to go around, but the vast majority have no issues with it.

You need to back up a bit further. Ask why the approach was unstable in the first place. I'll bet you find, particularly in the USA, that a lot of the unstable approaches come of the end of an approach that included the ATC instructions to 'maintain 180 knots until 6 miles', or something similar. US ATC have a very nasty habit of setting aircraft up in high energy offsets. Of course it works most of the time, so they don't see the danger.

Have a look at this. Report: Air France A388 at New York on Oct 11th 2010, oversped flaps during go-around Not only did the approach go wrong, but the go around wasn't too flash either.

 

[Flying Fox]

Hi JB747

Wondering if you have flown the repaired Nancy Bird Walton since she re-entered service?

If so -

1. Is she heavier than the other A380s in service?

2. Does she fly any differently to the other A380s?

3. Do pilots have to do anything differently with regards to flying her?

Thanks

 

[jb747]

Wondering if you have flown the repaired Nancy Bird Walton since she re-entered service?

If so -

1. Is she heavier than the other A380s in service?

2. Does she fly any differently to the other A380s?

3. Do pilots have to do anything differently with regards to flying her?

I've flown her many times since she came back.

All of the aircraft have slightly different weights. They get lighter as they get newer, but curiously, they often suddenly become heavier when reweighed. Nancy put on about 50 kgs after the work, but whether that is real, or just the result of different scales, I can't say.

She flies no differently, burns no more fuel, and is procedurally identical. If anything, she's better behaved.

 

[jb747]

Change of plans for my flights over the next few weeks. I won't be doing either of the flights I'd listed for late September, early October.

 

[Flying Fox]

All of the aircraft have slightly different weights. They get lighter as they get newer, but curiously, they often suddenly become heavier when reweighed. Nancy put on about 50 kgs after the work, but whether that is real, or just the result of different scales, I can't say.

How exactly does one weigh an A380/B747?

Does the pilot training/behaviour differ for freighter pilots vs passenger aircraft pilots? And are these pilots inter-changable?

 

[jb747]

How exactly does one weigh an A380/B747?

I don't know...never seen it done. Presumably with really big bathroom scales.

Does the pilot training/behaviour differ for freighter pilots vs passenger aircraft pilots? And are these pilots inter-changable?

Freight pilots would need some more fire fighting training. Beyond that, the aircraft are more or less identical.

 

[Flying Fox]

I don't know...never seen it done. Presumably with really big bathroom scales.

Funny cos that is exactly the image that came to my mind

 

[thelittlechef]

I've seen a few photos of the coughpits of modern passenger jets, and I have a question about the controls... Obviously there are the autopilot, land and take-off buttons, what do all the others do?

Seriously though, thanks to all contributors, this is a fascinating read.