Ask The Pilot

[Boris spatsky]

We don't have any indication of tyre pressure up front - only brake temperature. They are checked at least once a day by engineers on the daily inspection so i have never had a problem, although i have asked them to be checked when the tyre visually looks a little flat.

 

[jb747]

I think the A380 tyre pressures are about 200psi, but my question is how often are these checked ? I believe there is an onboard pressure indicator, so if there is an indication of a low pressure is it simply a matter of asking ground staff to whack a few more psi in tyre no 18 ?

The 380 displays all of the brake temperatures and tyre pressures. It will generate an ECAM (for which there are no actions) if a tyre pressure is low. It's checked as part of the turnaround by the engineers. As long as there's no generated warning, we don't look at it. The tyres and brake wear pins are looked at as part of the external walk around.

I've had one deflate to around 80 psi in flight, but it survived the landing and taxi.

 

[straitman]

I still fill out a paper log book - I think I am on my 6th one now.

You're still one behind me.

 

[Boris spatsky]

You're still one behind me.

It's on its second last page

 

[Awesom Andy]

We don't have any indication of tyre pressure up front - only brake temperature. They are checked at least once a day by engineers on the daily inspection so i have never had a problem, although i have asked them to be checked when the tyre visually looks a little flat.

I once had a flight departing SYD that was delayed as the crew was informed that the the tyre looked flat when we were taxiing to the runway.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

Many years ago flying on QF107 SYD-LAX on a QF 744 we held for a significant period of time at the threshold of 34L. During the wait a number of other aircraft departed off an intersection departure on 34L. After about 10 minutes the PIC advised they had an indication of two deflated tyres. We were also advised this was highly unusual and he hadn't experienced something like this in 20+ years of flying so rather than taxi back to the gate a vehicle was dispatched with an engineer to manually test the tyre pressure. After about another 30+ minutes we started a very slow taxi via 34L back to the gate for two tyres to be changed. Apparently the extremely slow taxi was to ensure the tyre didn't delaminate on the runway or on a tight turn into the gate. We took off around 90 minutes. Given it was a southern hemisphere winter the flight time was a relatively quick 12hr 20min so we arrived into LAX about 30-45 mins late. The question is with 18+ tyres are flat / deflated tyres that common? Is the decision to replace a deflated tyre based on numbers (i.e. below a certain pressure) or have you some latitude in saying the pressure was only 20 PSI above minimum so I got it changed on departure rather than risk another takeoff / landing cycle?

Thanks in advance.

 

[RAM]

Perhaps it's an age thing....

The roo was red, and very small, on some of the historic paint schemes. But it was a long, long, time ago.

Back when every traveller got a 'free' proper carry on-bag with their airfare. (One way to ensure everything fitted in the lockers,,,)

Still think the brown 'bowling ball' bags were the best Q ones. Perfect size for running shoes, towel, clothes & kit.

 

[PJ747]

Evening all, first reply (and only first day reading actually!). Have very much enjoyed this thread, very informative and entertaining! Also shows just how much my industry (railways) has in common with aviation!
A question that you've likely had before JB (I haven't ready through all pages of the thread thus far!), do you prefer flying the A380 or the 747? I know from other responses that your favourite is the 767, a lovely bird to fly on even though I only managed a few flights on them!
On another note, i'll be on QF9 MEL-DXB on 21/9, any chance you'll be steering?

 

[petercr]

Back when every traveller got a 'free' proper carry on-bag with their airfare. (One way to ensure everything fitted in the lockers,,,)

Still think the brown 'bowling ball' bags were the best Q ones. Perfect size for running shoes, towel, clothes & kit.

If only I still had mine from when I was a little fella... Got used as a school bag for a while

 

[jb747]

Apparently the extremely slow taxi was to ensure the tyre didn't delaminate on the runway or on a tight turn into the gate.

It minimises any heat buildup, and so makes it less likely that the tyre will come apart. Less side loading in turns means it's not as likely to be torn off the wheel.

The question is with 18+ tyres are flat / deflated tyres that common? Is the decision to replace a deflated tyre based on numbers (i.e. below a certain pressure) or have you some latitude in saying the pressure was only 20 PSI above minimum so I got it changed on departure rather than risk another takeoff / landing cycle?

Unlike most peoples' cars, the tyre pressures are checked regularly. Any tyre that's showing different behaviour will be removed. I wouldn't have any inclination to accept a low tyre pressure. If it comes apart on take off it can throw substantial lumps of rubber, and they can do expensive damage.

 

[jb747]

A question that you've likely had before JB (I haven't ready through all pages of the thread thus far!), do you prefer flying the A380 or the 747?

They both have their strengths, and weaknesses. The ABs biggest weakness is really the maker itself, and the mindset that made them decide to reinvent the wheel (i.e. the thrust lever behaviour). I'm glad I've gotten to fly it, but probably wouldn't have put my hand up if the 747-800 option had been available. I have zero interest in 777 or 787.

On another note, i'll be on QF9 MEL-DXB on 21/9, any chance you'll be steering?

The next roster (for 56 days) will be released this weekend, and starts on 25/7. So that makes your trip the roster after that, which won't come out for another 8-9 weeks.

 

[PJ747]

Thanks for the insight! Does that mean you also prefer the Boeing style 'the Pilot has the last say" over the Airbus "The computers will kick in before the pilot can bend the plane" style (very badly worded, but hopefully it's understandable!).
As a lover of the 747 (just something about that shape!), it is a pity that the 747-8 option wasn't gone for, but that's the past now!
Also, I screwed up the date for my flight, it is actually 21st of this month (no idea why I wrote 21/9, I need the holiday sooner, not later!!).
Last question for now, how often does QF9 end up being diverted away from LHR and is AMS high on the diversion airport list is Stanstead is unavilable?

 

[jb747]

Thanks for the insight! Does that mean you also prefer the Boeing style 'the Pilot has the last say" over the Airbus "The computers will kick in before the pilot can bend the plane" style (very badly worded, but hopefully it's understandable!).

That's more myth than anything else. I can select any attitude that I'll reasonably need (with a substantial margin beyond). The protections that it offers are very good, and I doubt you could have made one fly the SFO Asiana 777 profile.

As a lover of the 747 (just something about that shape!), it is a pity that the 747-8 option wasn't gone for, but that's the past now!

Whilst the end result is the ultimate iteration of the 747, it was still a pretty lame attempt by Boeing to spoil Airbus's party. They would have been much better off putting the effort into the 787. And perhaps a real replacement for the 737...they aren't doing well against the 320NEO.

Last question for now, how often does QF9 end up being diverted away from LHR and is AMS high on the diversion airport list is Stanstead is unavilable?

There aren't many diversions away from London. We can use Gatwick/Stansted and Manchester. Even Prestwick. Amsterdam is the first choice if you need to cross the channel. I took a 747 there once.

 

[Melburnian1]

Not a query directed specifically re QF. Do airlines that have freight divisions (such as QF's six freight aircraft including three older 737s that fly for Australia Post's StarTrack, and which have the latter's livery) have separate pilots even if they have the same type of aircraft, or are these pilots generally completely separate from the vast majority who operate passenger aircraft:

Qantas establishes dedicated freighter fleet for Australia Post | Australian Aviation

Given that most of these flights are at night (at least domestically), is it hard, or at least slightly harder, to attract tech crew?

If these pilots are separate from airlines' passenger divisions, are they typically able to operate all similar sized types of aircraft in the fleet (QF has two separate subcontractors as the above article states though). In QF's case, could the Cobham tech crew operate both the Cobham 146s and Cobham's passenger B717s?

 

[Boris spatsky]

The contracts are different. QF Freight pilots are on a different contract and EBA to mainline; so are the new 146 Virgin freighters who are separate to Virgin. I certainly know some freight guys who are eager to switch to the mainline carriers when and if they can.

I don't think they have a problem getting pilots; it is a jet stepping stone to the main airline in many cases.

Cobham tech crew on 146 Vs 717 are completely separate as far as i am aware. They are not even on the same contract or EBA or even business unit. Unlikely that you could ever fly two types like that at once.

EDIT: my comments refer to Australian airlines. Cathay for example rotate crew through freight and passenger 747 airframes.

 

[jb747]

Same with mainline. The QF freighters are flown by a different pilot group. I don't know what most other airlines do. I did have a friend who was with Singair many years ago, and he flew the 747F and passenger aircraft.

 

[jb747]

New roster time again.

03/08 QF9 MEL-DXB
06/08 QF1 DXB-LHR
08/08 QF10 LHR-DXB
11/08 QF10 DXB-MEL


17/08 QF9 MEL-DXB
20/08 QF1 DXB-LHR
22/08 QF10 LHR-DXB
25/08 QF10 DXB-MEL


03/09 QF93 MEL-LAX
04/09 QF94 LAX-MEL


15/09 QF93 MEL-LAX
16/09 QF94 LAX-MEL

The second London trip (17 August) is likely to be swapped for an identical trip that's 2 days later.

Still nothing scheduled between now and the start of the roster. Getting well and truly sick of standby. Unusual that it's not produced any flying.

 

[juddles]

.....17/08 QF9 MEL-DXB.....The second London trip (17 August) is likely to be swapped for an identical trip that's 2 days later......

Shame on the swap - I am on that 17th Aug QF9 flight!

 

[PJ747]

That's more myth than anything else. I can select any attitude that I'll reasonably need (with a substantial margin beyond). The protections that it offers are very good, and I doubt you could have made one fly the SFO Asiana 777 profile.



Whilst the end result is the ultimate iteration of the 747, it was still a pretty lame attempt by Boeing to spoil Airbus's party. They would have been much better off putting the effort into the 787. And perhaps a real replacement for the 737...they aren't doing well against the 320NEO.



There aren't many diversions away from London. We can use Gatwick/Stansted and Manchester. Even Prestwick. Amsterdam is the first choice if you need to cross the channel. I took a 747 there once.

Thanks again for the info! Good to hear some info regarding the protection systems between the Airbus and Boeing from someone with experience! Agreed re the 747-8, it seems to have been a "too little, too late" response to the 380.
I do have a personal wish that QF would look at heading to Amsterdam if they re-expanded in Europe, as that is where I generally fly in to/out of when heading to Europe! Unlikely, but hey, one can always dream!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

[/COLOR]

It minimises any heat buildup, and so makes it less likely that the tyre will come apart. Less side loading in turns means it's not as likely to be torn off the wheel.



Unlike most peoples' cars, the tyre pressures are checked regularly. Any tyre that's showing different behaviour will be removed. I wouldn't have any inclination to accept a low tyre pressure. If it comes apart on take off it can throw substantial lumps of rubber, and they can do expensive damage.[/COLOR]

Reminded me of this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria_Airways_Flight_2120