Ask The Pilot

[JessicaTam]

Over the last couple of days there has been talk about circular runways. Any opinions from pilots?

Think again: Will circular runways ever take off? - BBC News

Can we please please please start this one off in a separate thread so I (as a non-pilot) can comment?

New thread started here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ons/will-circular-runways-take-off-81789.html

 

[Saab34]

Any reason QF have been conducting circuits at Avalon this week? I thought most training was conducted in the sim? I have noticed Tiger Australia 737s conducting these similar flights over the past 3 months also.

 

[jb747]

Most probably SO to FO training. The sim has replaced much of the base training (it was five hours per student when I was an SO doing it on the 747 Classic), but there is still a difference between the real world and the fake one.

 

[serfty]

This is a good read, and is so true.
http:// [url]http://flightservicebureau.org/the-problem-of-bullsh*t-notams/ [/URL]


Ah, I see I can't use that word, even though it's the actual reference. Well, it's just like cow dung.

OK, using tinyURL I have been able to get around the profanity filter and the URL problem:

The Problem with bullshit NOTAMS | FlightServiceBureau

 

[serfty]

Interesting follow up to the NOTAM article:

A personal note about NOTAMs

 

[Quickstatus]

Classic comment on the radio during the approach. A US airline asked if there was any holding, and the reply was 'Not for Cat III aircraft'.

Would you declare Cat III capability when first contacting Tower if fog predicted?

 

[andmiz]

Would you declare Cat III capability when first contacting Tower if fog predicted?

No. By the time you're with tower it's too late, and predicted (forecast) is different to there actually being fog. Low visibility procedures would be established by the airport first (taxi restrictions, vehicle movements, equipment configurations), and then notified on the ATIS. If the weather conditions indicate you're not able to get in using whatever capability you have, then you shouldn't be attempting the approach.

 

[albatross710]

For about 99% of the time, the #2 VHF radio is tuned to 121.5. This is one of the 'guard' emergency frequencies.

How many different audio channels are coming into your headset for monitoring and what purpose? For starters at any one time I'm thinking you could hear communication from :

#1 VHF Current ATC assigned freq
#2 VHF 99% on guard, other times?
Other radio?
coughpit intercom (other flight crew)
TCAS and TAWS/EGPWS
Master warning?

What other audio sources are going to be flowing directly into your ears.

Thinking about guard frequency, does 243MHz have any relevance in civil aviation?

Blue skies,


Alby

 

[jb747]

Would you declare Cat III capability when first contacting Tower if fog predicted?

LA approach ask aircraft for their approach category at about 100 miles to run.

 

[jb747]

How many different audio channels are coming into your headset for monitoring and what purpose? For starters at any one time I'm thinking you could hear communication from :

#1 VHF Current ATC assigned freq
#2 VHF 99% on guard, other times?
Other radio?
coughpit intercom (other flight crew)
TCAS and TAWS/EGPWS
Master warning?

We normally listen to the current ATC frequency, on VHF1, guard or company on VHF 2, and VHF3 is left with the data link. HF1 and 2 we only listen to if we have too (which isn't much). Satcom 1&2 when we want to make a call. Intercom. Cabin phone system. PA. All warning systems use speakers in the coughpit.

Thinking about guard frequency, does 243MHz have any relevance in civil aviation?

No, just 121.5

 

[moa999]

Noting your comments on Cat iii.
How many times a year would you (or say an average A380) need to use it.

And do you think that it's worth the money rolling it out at more Australian ports.
I'd assume most of the domestic fleet are cat iii capable

 

[jb747]

Noting your comments on Cat iii.
How many times a year would you (or say an average A380) need to use it.

It tends to be seasonal. You may have a couple of weeks when all morning arrivals at Dubai or London need it. LA is patchy, but they've been happening for much of the past week. Fog in Melbourne is common enough. I may only do a couple of actual approaches per year, but if not available they would result in expensive diversions, which would often happen at the end of very long haul flights. So, there would be real chance in such a diversion ending in a termination at another airport. Very messy, and not all that safe.

And do you think that it's worth the money rolling it out at more Australian ports. I'd assume most of the domestic fleet are cat iii capable

As far as I know, all of mainline QF is capable and trained for low vis ops. I think Australia is third world in it's aviation infrastructure. It should be a safety issue, but instead it's financial.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

Thought this was an interesting perspective of a Ryan Air 737 landing...

Movie: Artur Kielak is happy to land his Boeing 737 in gusty wind conditions! - Luchtzak.be

 

[JohnM]

At the risk of going OT again, another two Indian Airforce recruiting posters outside the base here at Varanasi took my fancy (obtained at great personal risk of being shot, according to the 'No photography' and the specifically the addendum to the 'No trespassing' signs).

These don't have the humour of the previous one that was moved to the Humour thread, but I can't think of another relevant thread. Maybe if I ask a rhetorical question: What do the (ex-military) pilots think of the Indian Airforce's recruiting style?

 

[jb747]

Looks like truth in advertising to me.

 

[JohnM]

Looks like truth in advertising to me.

I hope you've also seen post 4925 in the 'bit of humour' thread, JB. I would imagine that it meets the same standard.

 

[Quickstatus]

Why does wake turbulence descend?

 

[andmiz]

Why does wake turbulence descend?

Currently in DXB and awake while I should probably be asleep...and that one is going to keep me awake! ....There is a school of thought that the circular rotation of the vortices rotates them downwards. However there are also gas laws regarding the change of pressure, which changes their density and increases mass.

 

[Quickstatus]

In a way it satisfies Newtons 3rd Law. The force required to produce lift would be equal to the downward force on the air molecules??

I also suspect the answer is in the realm of fluid dynamics and is similar to the downwash produced by a helicopter. There is definitely downwash at the trailing edge of an airfoil. But i cant easily explain it.

Another curly one: all airfoils have a sharp trailing edge including bird wings. Is this important in the production of lift?

 

[Boris spatsky]

At the risk of going OT again, another two Indian Airforce recruiting posters outside the base here at Varanasi took my fancy (obtained at great personal risk of being shot, according to the 'No photography' and the specifically the addendum to the 'No trespassing' signs).

These don't have the humour of the previous one that was moved to the Humour thread, but I can't think of another relevant thread. Maybe if I ask a rhetorical question: What do the (ex-military) pilots think of the Indian Airforce's recruiting style?

View attachment 94460

View attachment 94461

If i can take a Mig29 for a spin for a day and then resign, i'm in!