Ask The Pilot

[defurax]

So if I understand correctly, in the Air Algerie incident the aircraft would have been losing altitude, but presumably because the autopilot was in charge nothing looked out of the ordinary, except if one of the pilot had looked at the altimeter reading? Or once the probes are frozen it is difficult for the pilots to correct thrust even though they are aware of the loss in altitude?

 

[por930]

On a different note, it's interesting that whilst the authorities in France have been so eager to get the data about the Germanwings aircraft out, there has been a total vacuum of data concerning the Air Asia aircraft. Presumably Airbus know what happened, as well as the Indonesian authorities. Airbus would have breathed a sigh of relief after the Alps information came to hand, and I'd have expected a 'leak' if the other data also exonerated them. Time will tell, I guess.

Yes, I wondered the same thing with the Germanwings downing(I won't call it an accident) occurred. I think you are right that the Indonesian authorities are happy that the heat is off them...for now, and the Airbus people would have been very aware of the circumstances with both data sources recovered. I am sure if it exonerated them, they would be very open in their findings.

All well and good building these aircraft with several "we can't stall" systems, but maybe a bit better training of the pilots would be welcome. It also amazes me that a rostered on duty pilot, with a history of depression related illness, can have several sick days off, some sick notes signed by a psychiatrist, and no one picked up on it.

JB, do you think these recent incidents will change the bean counters view to employing airline transport pilots licence rated pilots in place of the purpose trained commercial 'pilots' with only a few hundred hours experience? The Germanwings first officer must have had very low hours when he was first employed.

 

[Quickstatus]

JB747, when you are in cruise, is the coughpit illuminated? Or are you in the dark?. What do pilots do during the really quiet periods in order to male the clock tick over quicker?

 

[jb747]

JB747, when you are in cruise, is the coughpit illuminated? Or are you in the dark?. What do pilots do during the really quiet periods in order to male the clock tick over quicker?

Some people like the coughpit dark, others turn on all the lights. No standard answer. I like it dark.

Really quiet period...have a chat. Talk about how stupid XYZ is (insert any name you like here). Occasionally even read the manuals.

 

[serfty]

Using sextants and stars.

JB747, do you take notice of the stars and can you recognise constellations? I'm guessting the Southern Cross would be most familiar, but do you have time/interesmainlyt to identify others?

My father navigated a Lancaster bomber 32 times across Europe in missions from the UK using sextants and stars as well as slide rules. His uniform only had the one wing. After being demobbed he became a teacher.

[I was not10 before I could easily identify the mainstream constellations visible from (mainly) Victoria.]

You did what you did with the tools you had. The pilots had to trust the observer.

 

[clazman]

A quick game of candy crush

 

[eric2011]

If you've wondered why we sometimes turn the landing lights on for a couple of seconds in the cruise, it's to see if we are in any cloud, and so might need the engine anti ice.

I thought you were flashing at oncoming traffic to let the know they were approaching a police radar

 

[legroom]

It's turned on and off as needed. There's a fuel penalty for leaving it on all the time. The later 747-400s turn it on automatically. Strangely, the A380 knows when icing is present, because it gives a warning if you turn it off too soon, but activation is manual. If you've wondered why we sometimes turn the landing lights on for a couple of seconds in the cruise, it's to see if we are in any cloud, and so might need the engine anti ice.

Would you care to speculate why AB opts for manual (as opposed to automatic) de-icing starts ?

One would have thought otherwise given the trend towards more automation.

Thanks

 

[jb747]

Would you care to speculate why AB opts for manual (as opposed to automatic) de-icing starts ?

One would have thought otherwise given the trend towards more automation.

Who knows? Just because....Airbus.

 

[straitman]

JB, do you think these recent incidents will change the bean counters view to employing airline transport pilots licence rated pilots in place of the purpose trained commercial 'pilots' with only a few hundred hours experience? The Germanwings first officer must have had very low hours when he was first employed.

I'm puzzled or even bemused at your last sentence. ALL pilots must have low hours when first employed. It is up to the training departments to progress them at the appropriate rate.

 

[mjt57]

Occasionally even read the manuals.

Something for the rest area, perhaps. Guaranteed to help you sleep...

 

[jb747]

I'm puzzled or even bemused at your last sentence. ALL pilots must have low hours when first employed. It is up to the training departments to progress them at the appropriate rate.

True enough...but it's the habit of putting minimum hour people in high capacity airliners that is suspect. In any event though, I doubt that it has any relevance to this event.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I'm puzzled or even bemused at your last sentence. ALL pilots must have low hours when first employed. It is up to the training departments to progress them at the appropriate rate.

I am all for Aus going to the FAA requirement for RPT jets of a minimum of 1500 hours. But looks like it is still on the drawing board...

 

[por930]

I am all for Aus going to the FAA requirement for RPT jets of a minimum of 1500 hours. But looks like it is still on the drawing board...

Hi Boris,
The current regs from casa require 1500hr to qualify for an ATPL, and as you say, the regs are currently under review.

I saw Bills comment. I realise we all have to start some where, but I would like to think that all pilots around the world, piloting large airline type aircraft have adequate skills and experience. Maybe these days, it is not possible or in fact needed to get airline pilot candidates with previous flying experience, like from general aviation and the armed forces. Like apprenticeships of the past taking several years, prospective pilots no longer need 1500 hours to learn a skill. Seems like Europe have embraced commercial license as adequate for pilots of large jets.

I still like the idea my pilots up front have 1500 hours each minimum. but, these are changing times. CASA's current Regs....
[h=2]Air Transport Pilot (Aeroplane) Licence[/h]Applicants must:

• be at least 21 years of age; and
• hold a valid English language proficiency assessment of at least level 4; and
• have a current aviation security status check; and
• hold or be eligible to hold a flight radiotelephone operator licence; and
• have passed a written examination (current exam consists of 7 parts); and
• hold or have held a command multi engine aeroplane instrument rating; and
• have a total of 1500 hours flight time including at least 750 hours as pilot of registered or recognised aeroplanes.
• The 750 hours of aeroplane experience must include:
  • any of the following:
    • at least 250 hours of flight time as pilot in command;
    • at least 500 hours of flight time as pilot acting in command under supervision (ICUS);
    • at least 250 hours flight time, consisting of at least 70 hours as pilot in command and the balance as ICUS; and
  • 200 hours cross country; and
  • 75 hours instrument flight time; and
  • 100 hours at night as pilot in command or as co-pilot.

The balance of the 1500 hours of flight time must consist of any 1 of the following:

• not more than 750 hours flight time as pilot of a registered aeroplane, or a recognised aeroplane
• not more than 750 hours of recognised flight time as a pilot of:
  • a powered aircraft, or
  • a glider (other than a hang glider)
• not more than 200 hours flight time as a flight engineer or flight navigator (in accordance with 5.173(7) of CAR 1988 and the balance of flight time as described in the immediate two points above.

Air Transport Pilots may fly an aeroplane as pilot in command or co-pilot in any operation. An ATPL is required to command a large airline type aircraft. Note: The above requirements apply to aeroplane pilot licences. Similar requirements apply to helicopter pilot licences, commercial balloon licences, gyroplane and airship licences.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Yep, but the regs allow FOs to hold a minimum of a CPL IIRC.

 

[straitman]

True enough...but it's the habit of putting minimum hour people in high capacity airliners that is suspect. In any event though, I doubt that it has any relevance to this event.

I agree absolutely.

I was really commenting on the way it was put more than the specifics.

 

[mjt57]

Yep, but the regs allow FOs to hold a minimum of a CPL IIRC.

Last year a mate was doing some ground theory at a school at Moorabbin (for rotary wing but all types were in the course). One of the instructors was discussing how a certain low cost airline was employing FOs with little more than 50hrs.

I can't remember what the "50 hrs" was on. Could've been flying those $100 drones for all I know. And I can't comment on the veracity of the guy's claim but going by what I've read here and some of the close calls that I've heard about with this airline it wouldn't surprise me.

Whilst browsing YouTube the other day I found some videos on British pilots working in places like Indonesia, flying for local regionals. The ep that I saw was about this fellow, in his late 20s who had to move there if he wanted to rack up the required hours and command experience (he was the only pilot on the aircraft, a Pilatus of some sort) before he could apply for the Euro/Brit airlines.

The stuff that he had to do was incredible. No leisurely fly in, line up the runway from the other side of the planet, set auto land and it's done. Flying through cloud trying get visuals on his airstrip (hardly airports there), doing a couple of circuits to get it right, then approach down a narrow valley, do a hard left then a sweeping turn to line up on the runway (at this point he was about 50 feet up before he lined up).

Now, military aside, that's the sort of pilot that I'd prefer to see up on the flight deck...

 

[Melburnian1]

In the CASA regs. posted by por930, what does '200 hours cross country' mean? Is it departing from a rural airport and arriving at another?

 

[jb747]

In the CASA regs. posted by por930, what does '200 hours cross country' mean? Is it departing from a rural airport and arriving at another?

It means navigating around the countryside, i.e. not remaining within the local airport training area.

 

[welltravelled]

Would you care to speculate why AB opts for manual (as opposed to automatic) de-icing starts ?

One would have thought otherwise given the trend towards more automation.

Thanks

Because is it "Airbus"!

There are many things that cannot be explained or compared to other manufacturers, it just is.