Ask The Pilot

[Saab34]

We used to also get the cabin crew come up for a chat to keep us awake but unfortunately for some reason that is no longer the case.

Company directive?

 

[AviatorInsight]

Company directive?

I would hope that they wouldn’t be told to not come into the flight deck!

They used to be able to have a sector as part of their initial line training where they would sit in the jump seat to observe what goes on up the front, but that has also been long gone.

 

[Saab34]

Do some captains just not want cabin crew in the flight deck? Or is everyone pretty ok with it? I assume that it’s Cabin Manager only?

 

[jb747]

I was wondering does the weight of the wing ( being full of fuel) make any difference to the lifting capacity of the wing?

Do you mean "does the max weight vary" with the wing fuel distribution? To which the answer is no. But, there are limits on how much of an imbalance across the aircraft can exist. So, for the 380 symmetrical feed tanks had to be within 3,000kgs of each other, and the outermost tanks within 1,200kgs. These limits can be exceeded in the event of fuel system problems without significant control issues.

Does the fuel in a wing dampen the twisting of the wing?

Yes. The 380 makes active use of this by pumping some fuel to the outboard tanks, and then leaving it there for most of a journey. The fuel system is normally completely automated, and it makes use of information from the FMCs to help it decide when it's appropriate to move fuel. After some failures, the ECAM can lead the pilots to a simplified manual method of management.

Is there a preference for the distribution of the fuel in wing as you are using up the fuel beyond balancing the plane?

After liftoff, there's the automatic load alleviation transfer to the outer tanks. It then basically uses fuel from the inner tanks. When they are empty it switches to the mid tanks, and uses them until empty. Then it takes fuel from the trim (tail tank). Lastly the fuel in the outer tanks when the trim empties (or less than 78 minutes to landing). None of this fuel goes directly to the engines. Engines are always fed from their respective feed tanks.

From what I recall of the 747, it used a mix of fuel from the tail and centre tank initially (with pumps cutting in/out as the centre reached about 37,000kgs). Then it used the fuel from the inner mains until they had the same amount as the outers. Then all four. Again, pretty much all automatic.

Gents. On some of these longer domestic missions, do you find it hard to not doze off? What sort of things do you do say on a long trek? Read books? Talk to the other person on the seat?

I was never a huge fan of people reading books on the flight deck, unless it was one of the manuals (which never happens in the middle of the night). We mostly solved the world's problems.

Post automatically merged: Feb 2, 2024

Do some captains just not want cabin crew in the flight deck? Or is everyone pretty ok with it? I assume that it’s Cabin Manager only?

I liked them visiting, but then I had much longer sectors, with many more crew.

 

[jb747]

This is fairy horrifying reading.

Coroner's inquiry questions whether recreational pilot was adequately trained before fatal flight

The fiancée of a man who died when his light plane crashed in the Victorian High Country believes he was let down by the system and was not given adequate training to be a safe and competent pilot.

www.abc.net.au

Take note of the hours required for the 'accelerated' program. Quite honestly you'd not be safe in a toilet with that experience. And I agree that there is zero crossover with paragliders, and no credit should be give. I also wonder where he's supposed to have learnt to navigate in this program... Literally an accident going somewhere to happen.

 

[p--and--t]

This is fairy horrifying reading.

Coroner's inquiry questions whether recreational pilot was adequately trained before fatal flight

The fiancée of a man who died when his light plane crashed in the Victorian High Country believes he was let down by the system and was not given adequate training to be a safe and competent pilot.

www.abc.net.au

Take note of the hours required for the 'accelerated' program. Quite honestly you'd not be safe in a toilet with that experience. And I agree that there is zero crossover with paragliders, and no credit should be give. I also wonder where he's supposed to have learnt to navigate in this program... Literally an accident going somewhere to happen.

And the BONZA pilot witness was happy with the cut training……

 

[jb747]

And the BONZA pilot witness was happy with the cut training……

I know the ex-QF guy. He was always an excellent choice to be in charge of the entire training organisation.

And on a completely different note. Five years ago....

 

[ausfox]

I have a space ready for the sim if they need to move it out for a fresh one.

 

[kookaburra75]

This is fairy horrifying reading.

Coroner's inquiry questions whether recreational pilot was adequately trained before fatal flight

The fiancée of a man who died when his light plane crashed in the Victorian High Country believes he was let down by the system and was not given adequate training to be a safe and competent pilot.

www.abc.net.au

Take note of the hours required for the 'accelerated' program. Quite honestly you'd not be safe in a toilet with that experience. And I agree that there is zero crossover with paragliders, and no credit should be give. I also wonder where he's supposed to have learnt to navigate in this program... Literally an accident going somewhere to happen.

That's absolutely spine chilling. No way five hours of training and one hour in command is enough, and I agree about the zero value of the cross over with paragliders.
Back when I was instructing in gliders, when converting power pilots onto gliders we had to get them to forget how they used to fly power, as gliders are different - especially no throttle to get them out of trouble. I can't see how paraglider experience can be related to power flying, beyond knowing up and down.
And that country where he was flying in is dangerous at the best of times, there's no margin for error. And not being trained to identify carburettor icing, and what to do about it is iust beyond me. Hopefully, when the missing email comes out, we will know more.

 

[Saab34]

And the BONZA pilot witness was happy with the cut training……

But then said However, Mr McKeown added it would have been "very important that he only operated in conditions and on tasks commensurate with his ability".

 

[p--and--t]

But then said However, Mr McKeown added it would have been "very important that he only operated in conditions and on tasks commensurate with his ability".

One hour in command

 

[jb747]

One hour in command

Everybody is there at some stage, but hopefully you’ll be within the nice safe confines of a training area. At Pt Cook, when we were sending the RAAF students out for their early flights in the circuit (and at way more than 5/1 hours) we had a vehicle parked at the end of the runway with radios and instructors, keeping an eye on the goings on. I’m also amazed at how casually navigation is treated by elements of GA and the RAAA. Navigation is not a case of looking at your device for it to tell you where you are. You really need to be able to work that out for yourself, so I just have to wonder how this person was supposedly qualified for any form of “cross country” flying.

 

[harvyk]

I've just finished reading the RAAus Basic Aeronautical Knowledge book (and I'm going to read it a second time to make sure I've understood it all), and they absolutely talk about carburettor's and carb heat in the book, plus follow up quizzes.

So I'm wondering if either, 1. He never read that book as part of his training (for whatever reason) or 2. Because of low hours just forgot that carb heat is a thing.

So assuming that it was 2, what sort of tricks do pilots here use which a GA pilot could use to help remember what to do if things start turning to custard?

 

[flyer89]

So assuming that it was 2, what sort of tricks do pilots here use which a GA pilot could use to help remember what to do if things start turning to custard?

Why the instructor chose not to teach students about carby heat application is beyond me.

When things turn south you need to rely on your training and experience (if you have any). It goes without saying that panic will most likely lead to death. There is some horrendous statistic which states that when a pilot who is not instrument rated enters a cloud they have on average 90 seconds to live.

In terms of RAAus my perception has always been that it’s very cavalier and “she’ll be right mate”. The comment from the inquest that Mr. Wood could train his students how he saw fit is quite horrifying. Sure, everyone has their own style however, it’s within reason. Electing not to teach students about critical functions of an aircraft beggars belief. Flying is not a Montessori School.

 

[mjt57]

Take note of the hours required for the 'accelerated' program. Quite honestly you'd not be safe in a toilet with that experience. And I agree that there is zero crossover with paragliders, and no credit should be give. I also wonder where he's supposed to have learnt to navigate in this program... Literally an accident going somewhere to happen.

Some work mates decided that buying Jabirus was a more cost effective way to fly than going full on with a PPL and hiring Cessnas.

Been up with a couple of them. One, the father of a mate, was a CPL and worked for a local aviation company. He was telling me the differences between getting a licence to fly a Jabiru v one for a Cessna.

I was a tad flabbergasted at this. For one, I didn't, and still don't, understand why there are two classes of licensing for GA and "recreational" aviation.

Anyway, what got me regretting my decision to hop into the 'plane for the quick flight around the area was the first thing that he told me - "there is the axe that you'll need to chop your way out of the aircraft in case I'm incapacitated."

But, it was an enjoyable, if bumpy and noisy ride. Not much room to swing the Canon around, though.

 

[kookaburra75]

I’m also amazed at how casually navigation is treated by elements of GA and the RAAA. Navigation is not a case of looking at your device for it to tell you where you are. You really need to be able to work that out for yourself, so I just have to wonder how this person was supposedly qualified for any form of “cross country” flying.

There's also the bigger issue of spatial awareness, which is connected to navigation (knowing where you are and where you are supposed to be going), and what is around you in terms of terrain and other aircraft. Unfortunately, there seems to be a 'head down and in the coughpit' mentality.
If you are flying in mountain country, you must know everything around you, and critically, your escape path when things go wrong with weather, the aircraft etc. To sign off glider pilots going cross country from Benalla down into the Mount Buller/Mount Buffalo/Mount Beauty zone, we would make sure they had flown down there previously in company with 2-3 other experienced pilots to make sure they understood the dangerous nature of the terrain. It's a lot different than flying over the wide expanses of southern NSW. A couple of gliders went into the trees, thankfully with no injuries to pilots, but it didn't need to happen.

 

[jb747]

To sign off glider pilots going cross country from Benalla down into the Mount Buller/Mount Buffalo/Mount Beauty zone, we would make sure they had flown down there previously in company with 2-3 other experienced pilots to make sure they understood the dangerous nature of the terrain.

I know the area well, as it's near where I live. It's not a place I'd chose to fly anything without an alternative means of descent.

A couple of years ago, I got involved in an internet discussion with a couple of trainee pilots, who were complaining about the amount of navigation they had to do to progress their licences (and they wanted CPLs). One commented that having done ONE navigation trip he felt that he'd adequately demonstrated his ability to navigate, and that should be all that was needed, before being allowed to just use GPS. For comparison, the RAAF nav course was about 160 hours, whilst the pilots' course did 4 trips and about 10 hours in the CT4, and then another 20 trips (about 30 hours) in the Macchi. And then there was more on the A-4 course (or whatever you were posted to). Whilst the aircraft and use of sims has changed things, I'll bet that they still do a very substantial amount.

 

[Saab34]

At what point would one move from the dangerous/inexperienced bucket, to having half an idea? 1000 hrs and few seasons?

I was talking to a charter operator recently, he said 200hrs isn’t that much, let alone a few dozen hours.

 

[jb747]

Why the instructor chose not to teach students about carby heat application is beyond me.

I'd have to admit that I haven't flown an aircraft with a carby in eons. But, I do recall that even in my basic training (on a Cessna) that it was an issue, even when doing things like forced landing practice. You'd have to wonder what else this 'instructor' chose not to instruct. Generally it's a pointer to something the instructor doesn't know or isn't good at.

And I'm amazed at the lack of structure for the training syllabus. The ones I'm familiar with, the RAAF and Qantas, were very well defined, with very specific objectives for each and every flight. There was no 'winging it' by the instructors.

 

[flyer89]

A couple of years ago, I got involved in an internet discussion with a couple of trainee pilots, who were complaining about the amount of navigation they had to do to progress their licences (and they wanted CPLs). One commented that having done ONE navigation trip he felt that he'd adequately demonstrated his ability to navigate, and that should be all that was needed, before being allowed to just use GPS.

Considering I must have done at least a few solo nav’s for a bare PPL and then countless nav’s for CPL and still flying like an absolute dolt at times in between all of that I hope I never share the flight deck with these people. Hopefully they never got much further for everyone’s sake.