Ask The Pilot

[Milefest]

Sorry if this question has already been answered..

I've always wondered, is it rare for there to be two captains on a flight? Who's in charge? Do their ranks change from Captain to co-captain, first officer etc.?

 

[jb747]

Sorry if this question has already been answered..

I've always wondered, is it rare for there to be two captains on a flight? Who's in charge? Do their ranks change from Captain to co-captain, first officer etc.?

Generally, if there are two Captains it's either training or a check. If training, then the trainer is the actual Captain, irrespective of what seat he sits in. On a check then the person being checked is the boss...unless the check is at the end of a training program.

Other than that, extra Captains or FOs are sometimes used in place of SOs. The company nominates who will be the Captain/FO of the flight. Titles don't change.

 

[Himeno]

The 330 was similar, but as that aircraft was already in service with many other airlines, some line flying was organised with them (in the same way that we've done some 380 training for others).

So for a few months around the first QF A330s arriving, there were QF pilots flying A330 of other airlines to get their hours?

 

[jb747]

So for a few months around the first QF A330s arriving, there were QF pilots flying A330 of other airlines to get their hours?

Yes, with their training Captains.

 

[jb747]

Small roster change. I was originally flying QF9 on the 23rd (DXB-LHR). That's now changed to the 1 a few hours earlier.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Oh, and for those with a pilot's licence who live in hope of someday being asked to help....you won't be. The other seat will be left empty.

Is this a company policy, country specific, or industry wide?

I stumbled across this and even as a non-pilot I found it odd that with an FO still in the chair that a "non revenue pilot" would be called for.

https://youtu.be/sOO_oYZF_B0

Might a military pilot be called upon by Australian civilian operators in similar circumstances?
*Im instinctively sceptical of a Fox News story, but as they have gone to the source talent there must be some truth to the story.

 

[jb747]

Is this a company policy, country specific, or industry wide?

I stumbled across this and even as a non-pilot I found it odd that with an FO still in the chair that a "non revenue pilot" would be called for.

https://youtu.be/sOO_oYZF_B0

Might a military pilot be called upon by Australian civilian operators in similar circumstances?
*Im instinctively sceptical of a Fox News story, but as they have gone to the source talent there must be some truth to the story.

First officers aren't some sort of imitation pilot. They generally fly sector for sector with the Captain, and should be more than capable of operating the aircraft solo. Someone who is not familiar with the aircraft is someone you would have to watch. I don't see that they could offer any help, but could well serve to increase the workload.

 

[clazman]

Read Lufthansa offer bonus frequent flyer points to doctors that identify themselves to staff. Do you know if any other airline does anything similar?

 

[jb747]

Read Lufthansa offer bonus frequent flyer points to doctors that identify themselves to staff. Do you know if any other airline does anything similar?

No, I don't even know what a frequent flyer point is.

 

[docjames]

Small roster change. I was originally flying QF9 on the 23rd (DXB-LHR). That's now changed to the 1 a few hours earlier.

What drives such a minor change?

 

[jb747]

What drives such a minor change?

QF1 was delayed out of Sydney a couple of days ago. That then impacts on crewing out of Dubai. Whilst some would be waiting longer to head north, the crews that were expected to operate back to Australia after a 24 hour slip would not be in a position to do so, and would have to be replaced, somehow. It gets very messy, very quickly.

 

[docjames]

QF1 was delayed out of Sydney a couple of days ago. That then impacts on crewing out of Dubai. Whilst some would be waiting longer to head north, the crews that were expected to operate back to Australia after a 24 hour slip would not be in a position to do so, and would have to be replaced, somehow. It gets very messy, very quickly.

I assume the "return to Australia" occurs due to requiring three crew for SYD/MEL-DXB and only two for DXB-LHR?

Thanks - I can understand with the tighter turnarounds this is another consequence beyond "rolling delays".

 

[mjt57]

First officers aren't some sort of imitation pilot. They generally fly sector for sector with the Captain, and should be more than capable of operating the aircraft solo. Someone who is not familiar with the aircraft is someone you would have to watch. I don't see that they could offer any help, but could well serve to increase the workload.

A mate has one of those Jabiru lightweight aircraft. On one of his first trips he ran low on fuel due to unexpected headwinds and a scheduled airfield not having enough fuel for the two aircraft.

So, flying into Mildura or Broken Hill, not sure which, he, well, ran out of fuel. His passenger, a non pilot started panicking and was flicking switches willy-nilly.

Talk about elevating the pilot's workload!

He managed to land it safely on a dirt road about 10 kays out of the airport. His mate was given clearance to fly direct in.

But yeah, if you're in trouble the last thing that you need to do is to have someone sitting next to you with nary a clue...

 

[alieninperth]

Yes, with their training Captains.

Is this standard in the Industry or just between 'partner' organisations? I cant help but this that this is a great way of developing pilots skills in a valuable way, and just hands on flying, but seeing how other companies operate the culture that they promote from within. I'm very impressed.

 

[jb747]

A mate has one of those Jabiru lightweight aircraft. On one of his first trips he ran low on fuel due to unexpected headwinds and a scheduled airfield not having enough fuel for the two aircraft.

So, flying into Mildura or Broken Hill, not sure which, he, well, ran out of fuel. His passenger, a non pilot started panicking and was flicking switches willy-nilly.

Talk about elevating the pilot's workload!

He managed to land it safely on a dirt road about 10 kays out of the airport. His mate was given clearance to fly direct in.

But yeah, if you're in trouble the last thing that you need to do is to have someone sitting next to you with nary a clue...

Has he handed his licence in yet?

 

[mjt57]

Has he handed his licence in yet?

No, despite reporting it to CASA or whoever supervises these sporting pilots they didn't really care.

But I think that he's learned from it. Hopefully...

 

[mjt57]

JB, could you see yourself doing this...?

Emirates A380 plane flies under helicopter

 

[Foreigner]

Looking at it another way, helicopter flies over A380

 

[jb747]

JB, could you see yourself doing this...?

Emirates A380 plane flies under helicopter

I've flown very close to other aircraft many times, just not in an A380. I'm sure they did their homework and planning very carefully.

 

[jb747]

And, in the ongoing dynamic movements of rosters...another change to the trip I'm on. Now, instead of operating the 2 out of London on the 26th, I'm now on the 2 ex LHR on the 25th...but as the SO. For some reason they've decided to bulk up the crew on that day.

This sort of change happens. Across all of the fleets, the changes happen every day, though they don't affect individuals all that often.

So, my London slip will be cut short, and Dubai lengthened (time to study for the next sim I guess), and then back to my planned roster for the trip home.