Ask The Pilot

[Daver6]

New Q about go-arounds:

We did a go-around in an SQ A380 recently in SIN. About 100' off the deck (well, that high from my R suite, a lot less back at the main gear) when full power applied is applied and up we go.

Pilot comes on to say 'bird strike' - I didnt catch whether it was 'risk of' or 'actual', so that might make a diff.

But if you are flared out and seconds from touching down, wouldnt it be less risky to go ahead with the landing if already struck, than to power on apparently towards birds ahead ?

This happened to a flight I was on also into SIN and at roughly the same point. Aircraft in front of us was the one with the bird strike. They needed to inspect the runway and clear and debris before aircraft could land again.

Actually, that reminds me. Also on a flight into SIN on a 747 we had a bird strike. It was the aircraft we were on but continued with the landing. I knew one of the pilots flying. He told me the conversation with ATC went along these lines.

Pilot: Reports bird strike to ATC.
ATC: What part of the bird did you hit?
Pilot: All of it!
Much laughter in the coughpit.

 

[jb747]

JB - I found the attitude in Texas to be worse than either NY or LA.

I only ever did one Dallas trip, and I think it was only the third time they'd seen an A380. It was all very pleasant.

We did a go-around in an SQ A380 recently in SIN. About 100' off the deck (well, that high from my R suite, a lot less back at the main gear) when full power applied is applied and up we go.

Pilot comes on to say 'bird strike' - I didnt catch whether it was 'risk of' or 'actual', so that might make a diff.

But if you are flared out and seconds from touching down, wouldnt it be less risky to go ahead with the landing if already struck, than to power on apparently towards birds ahead ?

As mentioned by Daver6, it might have been an aircraft in front of you, in which case it was possibly ATC initiated. You can't see birds far enough ahead to be able to avoid them. Generally it's a case "birds" followed by an immediate "splat". I certainly wouldn't go around for a bird strike anywhere on finals.

I was once on approach to Jakarta, and there was some discussion about a NOTAM warning about birds. The FO made a comment that he'd never had a bird strike. Pretty much exactly as he finished his comment, I noticed a small black spot in the sky, which was rapidly getting bigger. It arrived on the FO's windscreen and provided the perfect full stop for his comment.

 

[BCons]

I only ever did one Dallas trip, and I think it was only the third time they'd seen an A380. It was all very pleasant.

As mentioned by Daver6, it might have been an aircraft in front of you, in which case it was possibly ATC initiated. You can't see birds far enough ahead to be able to avoid them. Generally it's a case "birds" followed by an immediate "splat". I certainly wouldn't go around for a bird strike anywhere on finals.

I was once on approach to Jakarta, and there was some discussion about a NOTAM warning about birds. The FO made a comment that he'd never had a bird strike. Pretty much exactly as he finished his comment, I noticed a small black spot in the sky, which was rapidly getting bigger. It arrived on the FO's windscreen and provided the perfect full stop for his comment.

V droll..

 

[JessicaTam]

When the captain goes for their rest does the SO sit in their seat or does the FO move across?

 

[flyer89]

The FO made a comment that he'd never had a bird strike. Pretty much exactly as he finished his comment, I noticed a small black spot in the sky, which was rapidly getting bigger. It arrived on the FO's windscreen and provided the perfect full stop for his comment.

It’s almost like an aircraft can smell complacency at times isn’t it? The ultimate FAFO machine…..

 

[jb747]

When the captain goes for their rest does the SO sit in their seat or does the FO move across?

The relief pilot sits in whichever seat is vacated. FO and Captain always sit in their respective normal seats.

It’s almost like an aircraft can smell complacency at times isn’t it? The ultimate FAFO machine…..

I’m sure that they can. Certainly any time that you thought you had the 767-200 landings sorted out, they’d show you otherwise.

 

[Quickstatus]

On a different note, sad news about the mid air between the S211s over Port Phillip.

Apparently was during the filming for this show. One of the pilots in the aircraft that made it back was a QF pilot (also ex RAAF roulettes)

Q:
Why the name "Roulettes"?

 

[RSD]

Apparently was during the filming for this show. One of the pilots in the aircraft that made it back was a QF pilot (also ex RAAF roulettes)

Q:
Why the name "Roulettes"?

Sounds like one of two who made it back is a QF 737 captain, the other is a Jetstar 787 captain - both ex-RAAF.

 

[justinbrett]

Why the name "Roulettes"?

It's named after their signature manoeuvre, which is the six aircraft flying a loop in formation.

Of course, having been on base at East Sale for not one but two PC-9A ejections (including this one of the Roulettes), the Roulette name takes on a new meaning for me...

I can tell you the Roulette pilot that ejected got absolutely roasted at the Officer's Dining In that year.

 

[Captain Halliday]

I can tell you the Roulette pilot that ejected got absolutely roasted at the Officer's Dining In that year.

Presumably better than the alternative.

 

[jb747]

As I have learnt, SYD curfew is not actually a hard curfew. I have had pushback and rolling at 23:20 on the 22:00 SYD > MEL as they waited for a late Int'l arrival. I guess whatever penalty and requirements was cheaper than putting 30+pax up for a night at SYD.

The penalty for breaking the curfew is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Way, way, over any costs for putting up passengers.

Apparently was during the filming for this show. One of the pilots in the aircraft that made it back was a QF pilot (also ex RAAF roulettes).

I really hope they're being left alone by the media. They're pretty horrid after any event.

Q:
Why the name "Roulettes"?

Dunno, but it gave the alternate warbird group a good naming option.

Sounds like one of two who made it back is a QF 737 captain, the other is a Jetstar 787 captain - both ex-RAAF.

Their airline jobs aren't relevant, but it's worth noting that both have very extensive formation experience, both flying and instructing.

It's named after their signature manoeuvre, which is the six aircraft flying a loop in formation.

Is it? I wouldn't be surprised if it's been lost to history. There was a previous RAAF group too. Look up the Black Arrows, makes a 6 aircraft loop look tame.

Of course, having been on base at East Sale for not one but two PC-9A ejections (including this one of the Roulettes), the Roulette name takes on a new meaning for me.

East Sale, and the Roulettes have had a number of ejections and accidents over the years. It happens. The PC-9 seems to have been a bit more forgiving than the Macchi.

 

[justinbrett]

Is it? I wouldn't be surprised if it's been lost to history. There was a previous group too. Look up the Black Arrows, makes a 6 aircraft loop look tame.

All of the manoeuvres have names, and this one is the Roulette Loop. I suppose they could have named the loop after the team, and not the team after the loop, but this is a chicken/egg situation.

I did a posting at Sale Tower when the tail end of that history was still living and breathing. That's the story I was told. As good a guess as any I suppose.

The Roulette display gets less interesting by year, as every couple of years they decide such and such manoeuvre is too dangerous.

The RAAF 4 ship F18/F35 displays are very impressive but these aren't a permanent team, they're only worked up for major events like Avalon.

 

[RSD]

I really hope they're being left alone by the media. They're pretty horrid after any event.

We can only hope so. There was a time when the media wanted to know, but now they think that they have a right to know.

 

[jb747]

The Roulette display gets less interesting by year, as every couple of years they decide such and such manoeuvre is too dangerous.

My interest in them died with the Macchi. PC-9 and its successor have never warmed my heart.

 

[mjt57]

My interest in them died with the Macchi. PC-9 and its successor have never warmed my heart.

Same here. Watching the Sth Korean Black Eagles at Avalon this year, it's difficult to go back to watching glorified Piper Cubs with the same amount of awe.

 

[justinbrett]

Same here. Watching the Sth Korean Black Eagles at Avalon this year, it's difficult to go back to watching glorified Piper Cubs with the same amount of awe.

Coloured smoke is banned in Australia.

 

[Quickstatus]

Can air display aircraft "bomb" a ground target? or is that banned as well?

 

[justinbrett]

Can air display aircraft "bomb" a ground target? or is that banned as well?

As in literally release a munition? Or simulated?

 

[Quickstatus]

simulated?

Say flour bomb a junk car?

 

[justinbrett]

Say flour bomb a junk car?

I've never seen that in the RAAF.

The closest I've seen was an Avalon about 15 years ago, the aircraft (I think was F-111) did a simulated bombing run over a fake ground target, that was rigged up to pyrotechnics to explode.

Even that was banned in subsequent years, I think mostly due to the fire hazard.

At a Riverfire a few years ago, a bit of a flare hit a guy and burnt his t-shirt. He was fine but asked the RAAF to replace his shirt.