Ask The Pilot

[Awesom Andy]

This morning in SYD, I noticed the 3 A380s at gate 8, 9, and 10 all have their rudders deflected to the right. What would be the reason for this?

 

[jb747]

This morning in SYD, I noticed the 3 A380s at gate 8, 9, and 10 all have their rudders deflected to the right. What would be the reason for this?

Northerly wind? There's no real reason. The rudders don't get put into any particular position.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Northerly wind? There's no real reason. The rudders don't get put into any particular position.

Interestingly enough, 34L/R were in operation.

 

[mjt57]

Northerly wind? There's no real reason. The rudders don't get put into any particular position.

The control surfaces are hydraulically actuated, aren't they? If so, wouldn't hydraulic pressure keep them positioned? Or can wind pressure (from the breeze) overcome whatever static pressure there is in the lines?

 

[TomVexille]

Pity that they don't do customs and immigration at JFK, to allow pax in transit to hang around a transit lounge, such as what we did last year when flying to Britain when stopping at KUL and on the way home at SIN.

It's because there's no segregation of International and Domestic passengers in US airports. They would have to build a dedicated facility and I doubt QF want to pay for that.

 

[jb747]

The control surfaces are hydraulically actuated, aren't they? If so, wouldn't hydraulic pressure keep them positioned? Or can wind pressure (from the breeze) overcome whatever static pressure there is in the lines?

The systems aren't pressurised on the ground, so any resistance would come from any residual pressure, and friction from within the system. Whilst that will damp any movement caused by the wind, it won't stop it entirely. It's obviously damped enough though that the makers don't need to incorporate control locks.

 

[jb747]

Continuing my flights in the wrong direction...QF107 27/8 and QF 12 28/8.

 

[harvyk]

The systems aren't pressurised on the ground, so any resistance would come from any residual pressure, and friction from within the system. Whilst that will damp any movement caused by the wind, it won't stop it entirely. It's obviously damped enough though that the makers don't need to incorporate control locks.

I'd also take a wild guess that the weight combined with no leverage of the control surfaces also prevents the control surfaces moving in anything but the strongest of winds.

 

[petercr]

Continuing my flights in the wrong direction...QF107 27/8 and QF 12 28/8.

Driving one of the 'old' birds over and coming back on a 'new' one? Does that mean you're dual-qualified for both B744 and A388?

 

[jb747]

Driving one of the 'old' birds over and coming back on a 'new' one? Does that mean you're dual-qualified for both B744 and A388?

Goodness no.... It's hard enough to remember the procedures for one aircraft, much less two totally dissimilar ones. 380 both ways. A change for some reason or other.

 

[Himeno]

Goodness no.... It's hard enough to remember the procedures for one aircraft, much less two totally dissimilar ones. 380 both ways. A change for some reason or other.

Another day when a 747 is being used elsewhere, no QF11 that day and they moved the 388 over to the SYD-LAX leg of 107.

 

[AVC]

What with the latest QF financial report, there is talk of replacing SYD-DFW with an A380.
Does the 747 have similar range?
And do they not fly the 747 at a lower capacity due to the length of the route?

 

[Himeno]

What with the latest QF financial report, there is talk of replacing SYD-DFW with an A380.
Does the 747 have similar range?
And do they not fly the 747 at a lower capacity due to the length of the route?

They announced the change of aircraft type on QF7/8 months ago. The route changes from 747-400ER to A380-800 in a month. The 747-400ER can make the SYD-DFW trip, it just has issues on the return due to winds. At "design load", an A380 has a range of 15,700 km, 1500km more then a 747-400ER.

 

[por930]

Continuing my flights in the wrong direction...QF107 27/8 and QF 12 28/8.

jb, Seeing as you are now flying in the US direction, maybe I will see you on the QF7/8 legs when they bring the 380 on this route. We are on the 7th october and 25th october....and....up the pointy end.

 

[eric2011]

They announced the change of aircraft type on QF7/8 months ago. The route changes from 747-400ER to A380-800 in a month. The 747-400ER can make the SYD-DFW trip, it just has issues on the return due to winds. At "design load", an A380 has a range of 15,700 km, 1500km more then a 747-400ER.

With QF8 changing to DFW-SYD direct on the 380, will BNE remain an alternate on occasions when the 380 doesn't quite have the legs to make it home, ie extra-ordinary winds or other reason which may occur mid flight

 

[jb747]

With QF8 changing to DFW-SYD direct on the 380, will BNE remain an alternate on occasions when the 380 doesn't quite have the legs to make it home, ie extra-ordinary winds or other reason which may occur mid flight

Brisbane is almost always a viable diversion port for any of the long haul Pacific flights. I expect the issue with these flights won't be so much the wind, but rather the weather at the destination.

 

[jb747]

jb, Seeing as you are now flying in the US direction, maybe I will see you on the QF7/8 legs when they bring the 380 on this route. We are on the 7th october and 25th october....and....up the pointy end.

At the moment I'm doing Pacific flights because I'm on a 'blank line' roster, and you do whatever comes up. My normal rosters don't include much in the way of US flying because I don't bid for it. But, from November I should be moving to the Melbourne base, and I understand the flying out of there is much more likely to be a 50:50 mix of directions.

 

[jb747]

What with the latest QF financial report, there is talk of replacing SYD-DFW with an A380.
Does the 747 have similar range?
And do they not fly the 747 at a lower capacity due to the length of the route?

The change was announced some time ago, along with the 380 coming off HK, and the retiming of the Melbourne-Dubai services. The 380 has longer range than the 747ER. I don't know whether they'll limit the passenger loading on the Dallas Sydney service, and even if they do, it will most likely vary across the seasons. Even so, with a limited load, it will still be substantially bigger than that available on the 747.

 

[mikenz]

Why do landing procedures take longer on a long-haul flight than a short-hual flight?
By 'procedures', I mean for the passenger - seat belt sign comes on etc.
Is it simply that the cabin is bigger so it takes longer to prepare?

 

[Himeno]

But, from November I should be moving to the Melbourne base, and I understand the flying out of there is much more likely to be a 50:50 mix of directions.

No more commutes to SYD?

How often do you work the ferry flights between SYD and MEL?