Ask The Pilot

[jb747]

Do you do anything special around 3 hours in?

Roster myself off for a sleep....

 

[I love to travel]

Last roster just published.

The trips I have left to do...
QF35 MEL-SIN 30/12
QF36 SIN-MEL 31/12

QF35 MEL-SIN 5/1
QF36 SIN-MEL 6/1

QF35 MEL-SIN 13/1
QF36 SIN-MEL 14/1

QF1 SYD-SIN 20/1
QF1 SIN-LHR 21/1
QF2 LHR-SIN 24/1
QF36 SIN-MEL 27/1

Bugger on QF72 Sin to Per on 31/12, could have got the 36 but opted for an overnight sleep in Perth instead

 

[Major]

Is there a formal procedure for handing over control to the FO/SO when you go for a nap ?

 

[AviatorInsight]

Is there a formal procedure for handing over control to the FO/SO when you go for a nap ?

There is for us which is embedded in the electronic checklist on the 777. Most guys just give the pertinent points and you can pick it up pretty quick. Changeover didn't usually take more than a couple of minutes if the primary crew were onto it.

 

[jb747]

Is there a formal procedure for handing over control to the FO/SO when you go for a nap ?

There's a laid down list of things to be done, but basically.....

The pilot getting into the seat will brief himself on what he sees as the engaged systems and modes...that stops mistakes being perpetuated. The most likely is someone who is more or less on track, but in heading mode, and not nav. Anything that has happened with the aircraft, or that procedurally needs to be done, will be discussed. Safety height, fuel (ahead or behind the plan), time. Route, any ATC issues or restrictions. Nearest airfields, and their weather. Any cabin issues.

We try not to have both pilots changing over at the same time, to keep some continuity.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Do you ever become familiar with/ recognise particular controllers? Perhaps at your home port, or for short haul pilots where you might visit a location frequently? I'm thinking particularly of distinct controllers such as Steve Abraham AKA Kennedy Steve at JFK who can be remarkably witty (Google "Kennedy Steve" if unfamiliar)

Following up my question from July 2016 , today I found this interview with Kennedy Steve.

 

[por930]

How formal is it in the flight deck during operations? eg, are you addressed as Captain / Sir, and like wise downwards. When back at the hotel, are you just a group of people recovering in your own ways and 'painting the town together?

 

[jb747]

How formal is it in the flight deck during operations? eg, are you addressed as Captain / Sir, and like wise downwards. When back at the hotel, are you just a group of people recovering in your own ways and 'painting the town together?

I've flown with Captains who must have been given that name on their birth certificates. They were, to a man, total tools.

My mother calls me John. That's how I introduce myself, and I'm quite happy to be called that by all. The pilots often refer to Captains as skipper. I have no doubt that if I need to make them jump, that I can do so irrespective of how informally I run the coughpit.

The company requires cabin crew to refer to the Captain as 'captain', when in front of passengers. Skipper is pretty common there too.

Off duty....well I guess that varies across airlines. These days, going your own way is much more common than it was in the past. We never even see the cabin crew on slips...mostly they stay in different hotels.

I recall, many years ago, flying with a particularly unpleasant Captain. A pretty young hostie bounced into the coughpit, and said, "I'm xx_X, what are your names". So, the engineer was Fred, I was John. And the Captain, well he was captain. At which point, pretty young thing bounced out again. The engineer, then commented, "Jeez, skipper, your mum must have hated you".

Speaking of engineers.... One commented:
"Hey, skipper, when we get to Singapore, you'll have to get a new engineer".

"What? Why?"

"'Cos, I'm not flying with an cough**** like you again."

They were a different breed.

 

[Major]

Previously I have asked the pilots what hours they have flown for the year. Last year JB had logged 875 hours for the rolling year.

What are you all doing this year ?

 

[jb747]

This calendar year will finish with 683. A lot less than last year, which was my second highest ever at 813. Highest 844 in 2015. This year's total isn't bad when you allow for the fact that I had two months off on sick leave, which on average would have increased the total by about 140-160 hours.

The rolling year is also lower because of the sick leave. As of today it stands at 720 hours. Its most recent peak was 835, a few months ago. 873 in January. Without the sick leave, the rolling average would be very limiting right now.

 

[por930]

They were a different breed.

Yes JB, agree. I recall as a kid flying out from London to Australia during 1964 on a British Eagle Britannia. Took over three days to arrive in Brisbane after a zig zag trip via various airports. Several unscheduled stops as one engine kept failing. But it was like the pilots and crew all pitched in and were "airmen", rather than the current newer very well trained technicians.

 

[Captain Halliday]

We never even see the cabin crew on slips...mostly they stay in different hotels.

Is this to prevent HR issues arising? Because your slip times are different? Or some other reason?

 

[jb747]

Is this to prevent HR issues arising? Because your slip times are different? Or some other reason?

I'm not 100% sure. I suspect the main reason is one of logistics. By splitting us, they reduce the number of rooms that they require from any given hotel. Some hotels are quite happy to take the pilots, as we're a smaller group, but balk at taking everyone. There's probably some contractural differences too.

 

[mjt57]

Off duty....well I guess that varies across airlines. These days, going your own way is much more common than it was in the past. We never even see the cabin crew on slips...mostly they stay in different hotels.


They were a different breed.

Reading Life in Long Haul had some interesting tales. I felt sorry for the FOs and SOs who probably only wanted to crash but their captains pretty much made it an order that they party on, usually in their rooms, rather than the captains’.

I think that today this would be bullying. But when a senior colleague could determine your promotion prospects I suppose that you’d just have to wear it (and the hangover).

 

[jb747]

Reading Life in Long Haul had some interesting tales. I felt sorry for the FOs and SOs who probably only wanted to crash but their captains pretty much made it an order that they party on, usually in their rooms, rather than the captains’.

I think that today this would be bullying. But when a senior colleague could determine your promotion prospects I suppose that you’d just have to wear it (and the hangover).

Well, I was one of those FOs and SOs, and the only blokes who generally wanted a beer were the ones you'd drink with anyway. Occasionally it stretched out, but normally it was a pretty restrained affair. Knowing the bloke who wrote that book though, I suspect he might have been the life of many a party.

A quick beer in someone's room was often the venue for a debrief, and much was learnt and discussed. Debriefs were unofficial, and I expect quite a bit of errant behaviour was stopped well before the company needed to know. These days, if SO/FOs don't feel like coming to an unofficial debrief, your remaining option is to make it official. One is a much easier method than the other....

 

[AviatorInsight]

How formal is it in the flight deck during operations? eg, are you addressed as Captain / Sir, and like wise downwards. When back at the hotel, are you just a group of people recovering in your own ways and 'painting the town together?

Virgin, is definitely not strict about it at all. It's something that I wish was carried over from the Qantas book. While there is definite respect for the captain, the same can't be said for FOs/SOs, etc. While there is no requirement to call them captain, I used to do it while a ground person was in the flight deck in another country, domestically however is completely different....

 

[AviatorInsight]

Previously I have asked the pilots what hours they have flown for the year. Last year JB had logged 875 hours for the rolling year.

What are you all doing this year ?

855hrs for the last rolling 365 in 399 sectors for me.

 

[Mattg]

Under what circumstances is it necessary to de-ice an aircraft before take-off?

I ask because I flew last night on a domestic flight within Kazakhstan from TSE to CIT on a Scat Airlines Boeing 737-300. It was -21 degrees outside and snowing, and the aircraft had sat on the ground for around 2.5 hours before operating our flight. When we boarded, there was a visible layer of snow and ice on the wings:



After we pushed back, I assumed we would taxi to a de-icing bay to have the ice removed. But no, we went straight to the runway and took off! I almost couldn’t believe it. We did take off successfully though and the rest of the flight was uneventful.

As this is a Kazakh airline that is used to operating in these icy conditions, I can only assume they knew what they’re doing. But I have never seen this before. In my experience, airlines will always de-ice if operating in sub-zero temperatures.

So, is this nothing to be worried about or should I add Scat Airlines to my do-not-fly list?

 

[jb747]

Under what circumstances is it necessary to de-ice an aircraft before take-off?

So, is this nothing to be worried about or should I add Scat Airlines to my do-not-fly list?

Basically there should be nothing on the upper surface of the wing. A small amount can be present on the lower surface, associated with cold fuel.

On the other hand, they operate in those conditions more often in one month, than I have in a career. Thankfully.

 

[Mattg]

Basically there should be nothing on the upper surface of the wing. A small amount can be present on the lower surface, associated with cold fuel.

On the other hand, they operate in those conditions more often in one month, than I have in a career. Thankfully.

There was definitely ice on the upper surface of the wing when we took off! Given this, is there any reason you can think of that they wouldn't have de-iced?

I can't imagine it was safe to depart like that... perhaps they were trying to save time/money. But maybe I'm missing something as nobody else seemed worried.

Who is responsible for deciding whether to de-ice - the pilots, ATC, somebody else?