Ask The Pilot

[RooFlyer]

SpaceX this morning launched 5 satellites for SkyKraft, which are an initial batch to demonstrate 'proof of concept' of a constellation of low earth orbit satellites to provide air services radio communication all over the globe, including in current radio 'dead spots' within large continents and over oceans. The final configuration will have about 200 satellites in low earth orbit (?160km? from the radio this morning... but I couldn't find confirmation of that).

Home | Skykraft.com.au

www.skykraft.com.au

This is their main 'selling point':

Currently, aircraft monitoring systems can only track aircraft up to 400 kilometres away from land and requires the aircraft to be in line of sight of a radar system.

These radar systems, in conjunction with radio communication, can result in long delays for pilots to be provided with approval to change course, something that Frater says will change with Skykraft’s satellites.

“So, if you’re flying from Sydney to Los Angeles and your aircraft hits turbulence, the pilot will now be able to get a clearance to change altitude much more quickly,” he said.

If it works, how much of a 'game changer' will this be, both domestically and internationally? Or just a marginal improvement, in not needing a satphone call to change FLs etc?

 

[Warragul]

I don't think satphones per se are used that much. Satellite based comms (eg ADS-C, CDPLC) use is quite common. I've no idea on the level of improvement Sky Kraft potentially offers.

 

[jb747]

If it works, how much of a 'game changer' will this be, both domestically and internationally? Or just a marginal improvement, in not needing a satphone call to change FLs etc?

Domestically, not at all. CPDLC and data link work just fine, with just about everything done through the FMC. Over the rest of the world, the systems are patchy. Getting rid of HF would be wonderful, but I have my doubts about many of the countries willingness to move on to such a system. I guess it will have to happen, and the sooner the better.

 

[Scarlett]

Anyone with A321 time want to comment on downwind limitations? (or anyone else…)

This was the pic of the windsock at the ‘far end’ of the runway after we’d completed the landing run. I’d seen white caps on the approach over water and then briefly saw the approach end windsock as we were touching down / about to (can’t remember), out the window. It was enough of a glimpse to see it was downwind and looked fully extended, which was not a pleasant sight. After we’d exited the runway, taxied and approached the turn onto the stand I took this pic. Both windsocks appeared to be indicating the same.

Approx downwind component from this? The dim parts of my memory are suggesting something over 10 kts. Any issue with that?
Braking during rollout was significant and reverse thrust seemed to be left in for longer than what felt like normal.

Philippine Air Express
Landed at PPS - Puerto Princesa - RWY27
A321-200

 

[jb747]

Anyone with A321 time want to comment on downwind limitations? (or anyone else…)

It's not quite fully extended, so I'd suggest between 12 and 15 knots. The aircraft limit is 15kt. But, the wind at the sock, and at the tower, and from the aircraft's own measurements may be different...by quite a bit at times.

 

[Quickstatus]

How important are NOTAMS to flight planning?

NOTAM outage last night in the US:

 

[straitman]

VERY important.

They advise the pilots of literally everything (except weather).
If a runway, taxiway or airfield have works or restrictions or are unavailable. If an enroute or arrival aid has limitations or restrictions or is out of service.

It’s a list that literally goes on and on.

 

[SYD]

VERY important.

They advise the pilots of literally everything (except weather).
If a runway or taxiway have works or restrictions or are unavailable. If an enroute or arrival aid has limitations or restrictions or is out of service.

It’s a list that literally goes on and on.

Also handy to know if the Navy are firing practice missiles into the air!

I was just ready this….

FAA meltdown explained: What is NOTAM?

The FAA said it was working to restore a system that alerts pilots to hazards and changes to airport facilities and procedures that had stopped processing updated information.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Case in point RE airport conditions:

“In July 2017, an Air Canada jet landed on the wrong runway at San Francisco's airport and came within seconds of colliding with four other planes.

The notice of the closure of one of the two runways at the airport had been flagged in the pre-flight NOTAM - on page eight of a 27-page briefing - and missed by the pilots.”

 

[QF WP]

Singapore's Scoot Airbus A320-271N aircraft (9V-TNE) cabin faced battery fire (portable power bank) while taxiing for departure from Taipei (TPE) to Singapore (SIN) on 10th January. Fire was controlled to avoid any further damage as aircraft returned to gate and Flight TR993 was cancelled .

As expected, there was a lot of yelling (hopefully mostly by FA's in order to get the portable fire extinguisher from the galley past the passengers standing in the aisle). How would the pilots here have dealt with the advice from your FA's that there is smoke/fire onboard?

FL360aero on LinkedIn: Singapore's Scoot Airbus A320-271N aircraft (9V-TNE) cabin faced battery… | 32 comments

Singapore's Scoot Airbus A320-271N aircraft (9V-TNE) cabin faced battery fire (portable power bank) while taxiing for departure from Taipei (TPE) to Singapore… | 32 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

 

[QF WP]

How important are NOTAMS to flight planning?

NOTAM outage last night in the US:

View attachment 314232

VERY important.

They advise the pilots of literally everything (except weather).
If a runway, taxiway or airfield have works or restrictions or are unavailable. If an enroute or arrival aid has limitations or restrictions or is out of service.

It’s a list that literally goes on and on.

From blancolirio's YT channel (Juan Brown is an airline captain):

 

[justinbrett]

They advise the pilots of literally everything (except weather).

The equivalent system in Australia (NAIPS) does include TAF / METAR. In fact legally you have to obtain these products from NAIPS, not from BoM (there's a disclaimer when you view them on the BoM website).

How important are NOTAMS to flight planning?

It's illegal to fly without briefing them. However, if our system NAIPS goes down (and it has), there is some redundancy through the AFTN (Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network) where local ATC or the NOTAM office can fax/email them to operators. I've seen it done, not so much with fax these days (although to be honest until recently most of the industry was using a system called AVFAX, where you subscribe for fax briefings).

Also handy to know if the Navy are firing practice missiles into the air!

Air Force flying probably even more relevant, given it's much more widespread around the country and can include live munitions.

 

[Captain Halliday]

The equivalent system in Australia (NAIPS) does include TAF / METAR. In fact legally you have to obtain these products from NAIPS, not from BoM (there's a disclaimer when you view them on the BoM website).

Even though they’re produced by BoM? Aussie bureaucracy at its finest.

 

[RooFlyer]

Singapore's Scoot Airbus A320-271N aircraft (9V-TNE) cabin faced battery fire (portable power bank) while taxiing for departure from Taipei (TPE) to Singapore (SIN) on 10th January.

Today I carried on board a domestic flight a 2/3 shoebox sized Li-ion battery, which powers an electric scooter used by my sister ( she's almost wheelchair bound). It conformed to the required specs and I had the terminals taped over, again as required.

I was surprised however that there was zero interest by Security when it went through their the x-ray machine in my carry-on, (unlike my laptop and deodorant, which I had to take out of my carry-on ) and the FA onboard was similarly disinterested when I declared it to him.

Pilots - would you expect or want someone to check it that a sizeable Li-ion battery on board was safely isolated and suitable for carriage ?

 

[jb747]

Today I carried on board a domestic flight a 2/3 shoebox sized Li-ion battery, which powers an electric scooter used by my sister ( she's almost wheelchair bound). It conformed to the required specs and I had the terminals taped over, again as required.

I was surprised however that there was zero interest by Security when it went through their the x-ray machine in my carry-on, (unlike my laptop and deodorant, which I had to take out of my carry-on ) and the FA onboard was similarly disinterested when I declared it to him.

Pilots - would you expect or want someone to check it that a sizeable Li-ion battery on board was safely isolated and suitable for carriage ?

Not the job of the X-ray person. I’m surprised that the FA didn’t take a little more interest, but I guess that depends upon how you described it. In just a few words here you’ve told us it was within spec and safe, so perhaps you’ve been trusted with that.

 

[justinbrett]

Even though they’re produced by BoM? Aussie bureaucracy at its finest.

It’s more about the system than the author. NAIPS is the certified system, BoM’s website is not.

https://www.icao.int/APAC/Meetings/2016%20METR_WG5/IP02_AUS%20AI.4%20-%20Aviation%20Weather%20Services%20for%20ATM.pdf

 

[AviatorInsight]

Today I carried on board a domestic flight a 2/3 shoebox sized Li-ion battery, which powers an electric scooter used by my sister ( she's almost wheelchair bound). It conformed to the required specs and I had the terminals taped over, again as required.

I was surprised however that there was zero interest by Security when it went through their the x-ray machine in my carry-on, (unlike my laptop and deodorant, which I had to take out of my carry-on ) and the FA onboard was similarly disinterested when I declared it to him.

Pilots - would you expect or want someone to check it that a sizeable Li-ion battery on board was safely isolated and suitable for carriage ?

Did you show anyone at check in when they ask if you have any spare batteries at all? It’s not the physical size of the battery but the watt-hour that is important.

This is from our dangerous goods manual and also available on the “can I pack that?” app.

For battery powered mobility aids - Li-ion specifically designed to be removed from the device:
- not permitted in checked baggage.
- The removed battery must not exceed 300Wh or for those mobility aids fitted with two batteries, each must not exceed 160Wh.
- Note: watt-hour limit exemptions may apply.

As usual, it’s as clear as mud. But yes I would expect the FA to at least check it.

 

[AviatorInsight]

How important are NOTAMS to flight planning?

Very important. Last week after the huge storms that passed through SE QLD, there was reduced capacity in Brisbane’s airspace for flights flying from OOL to MEL, SYD, CBR, WLM. This required all flights to be routed off the coast southbound.

This was published in the NOTAMs and a clearance was not available for those that planned through the standard route.

Recently there have been more and more temporary restricted areas popping up where prior approval is required to enter the zone. This is similar to operating in Class G airspace (where no separation is provided by ATC). This is happening is DRW, MKY and ROK.

All covered in the NOTAMs with hours of operation.

 

[RooFlyer]

Did you show anyone at check in when they ask if you have any spare batteries at all? It’s not the physical size of the battery but the watt-hour that is important.

At check in ( VA) I mentioned that I had the battery to the scooter that I was checking in ( folded down &. bobble wrapped) in my carry- on. No interest there, but when I took it to the large item check-in area, the Hobart Airport person asked if I had done 'the form' to go through security. I knew of no such form and they said to go ahead, but expect a bit of a hold-up.

As I mentioned, at security I wasn't even asked to take it out of my carry-on. I guess I should have pro-actively, given that it had (was) a battery but I was pre-occupied with my sister, who was going through in her wheelchair and with other medical paraphernalia.

I had previously gone through the VA dangerous goods list and no doubt ticked somewhere that the battery complied and I think it was in the booking ( certainly the scooter was, as VA took it at no charge as 'disability assistance').

As I mentioned, no interest from the FA on boarding, but as jb747 said, perhaps they trusted my saying that the battery complied and that I had taped over the terminals!

As the terminals were 'female' it was a very tricky job to get tape over them.

 

[jb747]

The problem with NOTAMs is that 90% of them are bureaucratic gibberish, which we simply do not care about, or need to know. But, that 90% obscures the 10% that contain information that you need to know, like changes to airport runway lengths, works, etc. The vast majority of flights could simply use yesterday's NOTAMs without issue. The problem is, that vast majority isn't everyone...

 

[jpp42]

The problem with NOTAMs is that 90% of them are bureaucratic gibberish, which we simply do not care about, or need to know. But, that 90% obscures the 10% that contain information that you need to know, like changes to airport runway lengths, works, etc. The vast majority of flights could simply use yesterday's NOTAMs without issue. The problem is, that vast majority isn't everyone...

Eventually this will cause a major safety issue (if it hasn't already), because of pilots missing something important throughout all the nonsense. A comprehensive web site on this topic: Death to Notams