Ask The Pilot

[flychrisfly]

On your 747 departure, you would most likely have used flap 20, which is the usual take off setting. Full flap is 30, and it is never used for take off. Nor is 25. If I recall correctly, the settings are 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30...so a multi stage retraction is quite normal

Thanks JB

I had assumed that there were only 4 flap stages - not sure why though. Do the number of flap stages differ between Boeing and Airbus, and do the number of flap stages vary between models of a single manufacturer eg B747 vs B737, or A330 vs A380?

thanks again,
FCF

 

[jb747]

I had assumed that there were only 4 flap stages - not sure why though. Do the number of flap stages differ between Boeing and Airbus, and do the number of flap stages vary between models of a single manufacturer eg B747 vs B737, or A330 vs A380?

It's aircraft specific, and can vary between models of the same type.

The Boeing settings related to degrees of trailing edge flap (though even that is pretty arbitrary), whilst Airbus assume you neither know, nor care about the actual position, and just number them, so there is up, 1, 2, 3, 4. There is an additional position on the 380, 1+F, but that is automatically selected by the aircraft, depending upon speed, when 1 is the pilot selection.

380 uses 1, 2 and 3 for take off, and 3 and 4 for landing.

747 was (again if memory serves correctly), 10 or 20 for take off, 25 or 30 for landing.

 

[Skyhigh777]

JB, does the A380 coughpit have an HUD display? Thanks

 

[jb747]

JB, does the A380 coughpit have an HUD display? Thanks

The pictures of the test aircraft show HUDs on both sides, but it was an option. My understanding is that nobody has ordered them. Whilst it would be a nice toy, the aircraft is not particularly flexible, so unlike 737s using them into Queenstown, we normally fly long straight in approaches. So, nice but not necessary. On the other hand, I think that all 787s are fitted with them, but only because Boeing made them mandatory.

 

[clazman]

Never flown with a HUD, JB preference yes or no, it would appear to increase safety....

 

[Boris spatsky]

I flew with a HUD for 10 years. Going back to a non HUD aircraft is like driving a 1970s Holden, especially in low vis situations, even if it is glass coughpit.

So yes, I am all for HUDs (although they have their own issues )...

 

[Flying Fox]

If QF decided to bring back a B747 from storage, do you know what would have to be done before it could be flown?

 

[jb747]

If QF decided to bring back a B747 from storage, do you know what would have to be done before it could be flown?

I think there are various states of storage, some of which keep the aircraft in a fit state to be parted out, whilst others keep them reasonably close to flying condition. The biggest issue would be the maintenance state when it went into storage. Some overhauls are lengthy and expensive, and often their proximity is what decides an aircraft goes into storage...

 

[jb747]

New roster, with the standard proviso that nothing is ever locked in...

23/01 QF93 MEL-LAX
24/01 QF94 LAX-MEL

05/02 QF09 MEL-DXB
08/02 QF09 DXB-LHR
10/02 QF02 LHR-DXB
13/02 QF10 DXB-MEL

20/02 QF09 MEL-DXB
24/02 QF09 DXB-LHR
26/02 QF02 LHR-DXB
01/03 QF10 DXB-MEL

07/03 QF93 MEL-LAX
08/03 QF94 LAX-MEL

 

[VulpesVulpes]

New roster....

Probably a dumb question here..... but does that mean you are moving around a fair bit as a Pax when doing those QF9,9,2,10 gigs?

Is that fairly common to only be in the hot seat in one way and then have to travel all the way back home rather than have rest in London and pilot another jet home?

 

[jb747]

Probably a dumb question here..... but does that mean you are moving around a fair bit as a Pax when doing those QF9,9,2,10 gigs?

I'll move the better part of 6,000 individuals over those sectors....

Is that fairly common to only be in the hot seat in one way and then have to travel all the way back home rather than have rest in London and pilot another jet home?

No, that's exceedingly rare. I've added the actual sectors to the post, as I don't think you quite understood how they work.

 

[Himeno]

Is that fairly common to only be in the hot seat in one way and then have to travel all the way back home rather than have rest in London and pilot another jet home?

Based on the roster JB posted, it means he gets approximately 35 hours in LA, 46 hours in Dubai (northbound), 30 hours in London and 40 hours in Dubai (southbound) between flights with about a week at home between each trip.

 

[mjt57]

Based on the roster JB posted, it means he gets approximately 35 hours in LA, 46 hours in Dubai (northbound), 30 hours in London and 40 hours in Dubai (southbound) between flights with about a week at home between each trip.

Now, THAT'S FIFO...

 

[opusman]

Now, THAT'S FIFO...

46 hours in Dubai must seem like a lifetime though.

 

[jb747]

One of the slips is 72 hours....

The trips eventually play havoc with your sleep cycles, so I find Dubai quite a restful place, and put some sleep back in the bank. Good place to do some study for the sims too.

36 hours in LA is a lifetime.

 

[raleyoz]

One of the slips is 72 hours....

The trips eventually play havoc with your sleep cycles, so I find Dubai quite a restful place, and put some sleep back in the bank. Good place to do some study for the sims too.

36 hours in LA is a lifetime.

Should take up golf , LA is good for that

 

[oz74]

Hi JB,

just wanted to to say thanks for the lift on qf94 on Tuesday 6/1. Great flight with great crew.

wife was very comfortable when she heard you were the captain.

It was a very smooth landing into Melbourne and wife gave you 10/10.

 

[jb747]

just wanted to to say thanks for the lift on qf94 on Tuesday 6/1. Great flight with great crew.

wife was very comfortable when she heard you were the captain.

It was a very smooth landing into Melbourne and wife gave you 10/10.

FOs landing....they're always smooth.

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

New roster, with the standard proviso that nothing is ever locked in...

23/01 QF93 MEL-LAX
24/01 QF94 LAX-MEL

Oh bugger. I'm on the 93 the day before!

 

[QF029]

36 hours in LA is a lifetime.

Is that because you're mainly sleeping during the day and there's not much to do in the middle of the night? Or that in LA you need a car to easily get around?