Ask The Pilot

[NM]

I have moved posts related to the LATAM in-flight incident to the existing thread relating to that topic. Please keep posts in this thread to asking questions of pilots and for pilots to provide answers.

Follow that LATAM flight discussion here:

50 people injured on SYD-AKL LATAM flight LA800

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/511423/24-people-treated-after-incident-on-board-flight-to-auckland Twenty-four people have been treated after an incident on board a flight to Auckland. LATAM Airlines Group said flight LA800 had a "technical problem during the flight which caused a strong...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[docjames]

For our pilots, which aircraft do you wish you’d had the chance to fly, or look forward to one day flying (as the case may be)?

Why that particular aircraft / those aircraft?

 

[straitman]

SR-71 Blackbird.

 

[jb747]

For our pilots, which aircraft do you wish you’d had the chance to fly, or look forward to one day flying (as the case may be)?

Why that particular aircraft / those aircraft?

F-4 Phantom. ‘Cos basically they just looked mean.

In the airliner world, perhaps the 767-400. Though not dramatically different to the -300, it was an interesting evolution.

SR-71 Blackbird.

Pretty hard to get it to hover…

 

[AviatorInsight]

Would’ve loved to give the F-14 a go. Speaking to a few of the ex USN pilots on the aircraft carrier museums in the US, they absolutely loved it. That and I really want to give landing on a carrier a go.

Back to the commercial world, can’t go past a 747 or 767.

As for the future, I’d love to give Airbus a try. Here’s hoping VA opt for the A350.

 

[mjt57]

As for the future, I’d love to give Airbus a try. Here’s hoping VA opt for the A350.

Is the A350 a long haul A/C? If so, if getting them in the future, would this mean a return to overseas travel with VA? I miss its Prem Eco seating in the 777. Much better than the QF Nightmare Liner, I reckon. QF A380 would've been OK had we got decent seats.

 

[AviatorInsight]

Is the A350 a long haul A/C? If so, if getting them in the future, would this mean a return to overseas travel with VA? I miss its Prem Eco seating in the 777. Much better than the QF Nightmare Liner, I reckon. QF A380 would've been OK had we got decent seats.

That’s the dream. But I think they have their hands full with the domestic operation at the moment and making that run well, to then be worried about widebody aircraft entering the mix.

 

[jb747]

Would’ve loved to give the F-14 a go. Speaking to a few of the ex USN pilots on the aircraft carrier museums in the US, they absolutely loved it. That and I really want to give landing on a carrier a go.

Kevin Sullivan (of QF72) was a USN F14 pilot. He came to Oz via an exchange on the Mirage, though I don’t know if the RAAF guy flew F14. Must ask around, as a carrier qualified RAAF F14 pilot would be unexpected.

Back to the commercial world, can’t go past a 747 or 767.

Good choice. Old Boeing.

 

[Quickstatus]

Boeing

Did QF ever get the 747 with water injection?

747

Classic or -400?

 

[AviatorInsight]

Kevin Sullivan (of QF72) was a USN F14 pilot. He came to Oz via an exchange on the Mirage, though I don’t know if the RAAF guy flew F14. Must ask around, as a carrier qualified RAAF F14 pilot would be unexpected.

Good choice. Old Boeing.

He would’ve been very interesting to sit next to. I love hearing those stories. We had an ex USMC F18 driver on the 777 years ago while he was furloughed from UA. The crazy stories he had to tell, kept me entertained for hours across the Pacific.

I’m actually flying next week with an ex RAAF F18 driver who did an exchange at Top Gun and various other stints in the US over his career. The pictures are awesome.

Classic or -400?

To be honest, I don’t really mind which one. Would’ve been good to see what it was like to operate with a flight engineer.

Even talking to the guys who flew the 727 said the FE’s were in a league of their own.

 

[D747]

I work with hardware and software engineers. I can verify that they most certainly are in a league of their own.

 

[Quickstatus]

hardware and software engineers

I think they are not engineers per se. I dont believe an engineering degree is required. - they just need a flight engineer license plus other items. I recall a commercial pilots license can count part way toward a flight engineers license.
Could one of the aviators can confirm, please thanks

 

[Warragul]

I think they are not engineers per se. I dont believe an engineering degree is required. - they just need a flight engineer license plus other items. I recall a commercial pilots license can count part way toward a flight engineers license.
Could one of the aviators can confirm, please thanks

One isn't required ( or wasn't back in 'the day) to be a LAME - my father left school at 14 and retired one. The term 'engineer' is not protected in Australia so the term can be used just about by anyone. I believe 'Professional Engineer' is the term where a degree is required to be able to use.

 

[jb747]

Did QF ever get the 747 with water injection?

The early -200s with P&W engines had water injection. I think the theory was that the very slight amount of extra power just about offset the weight of the plumbing. It was a real pain to work out the take off data for, as you now had to account for loss of water to one engine, or more, in the V1 calculations. It wasn't used often, mostly places like Athens in summer. The engines really howled with it though..until the water ran out at about 2,000'. The RR engines had the same power without water, and were much nicer.

Even talking to the guys who flew the 727 said the FE’s were in a league of their own.

The depth of their knowledge on the aircraft was very impressive.

I think they are not engineers per se. I dont believe an engineering degree is required. - they just need a flight engineer license plus other items. I recall a commercial pilots license can count part way toward a flight engineers license.

I had a restricted FE's licence. All Classic SOs did. Whether it would count at all on getting the unrestricted I don't know. 99% of the FEOs were QF LAMEs, licenced to actually work on the aircraft. Uni qualified engineers...not much use at all on an aircraft, though there are quite a few pilots with that qualification.

 

[jb747]

Kevin Sullivan (of QF72) was a USN F14 pilot. He came to Oz via an exchange on the Mirage, though I don’t know if the RAAF guy flew F14. Must ask around, as a carrier qualified RAAF F14 pilot would be unexpected.

Just spoke to Kev. His other half on the exchange flew the F18, and he did carrier qualify.

 

[Quickstatus]

Exchange

What was the reason for pilot exchange?

 

[Saab34]

One extremely scary rumour. TBA.

I assume it that rumour was proven true, the headcount might drop back a few.

Can I ask is there a SOP for ‘others’ aside Pilots entering a coughpit during flight? Most domestic flights I’ve only ever seen the Cabin Manager enter, and normally for drinks and food.

AV, are crew allowed to enter, say on longer runs, to sit in the jump and just chill? Or only CM?

 

[Franky]

What was the reason for pilot exchange?

I believe JB747 is referring to the US and Australian Defence Forces who had what they called exchange postings, whereby they sent 40 or so of their selected personnel our way, and we sent the same number to the US. The exchange postings were usually for 3 years, like for like, eg pilots with similar quals, along with a range of other branches being swapped. This was the case when I was serving in the US in the late 70s, not sure if the scheme still exists these days.

 

[Quickstatus]

I believe JB747 is referring to the US and Australian Defence Forces who had what they called exchange postings

I know, just wanted to know the reason behind it.

 

[flyer89]

I had a restricted FE's licence. All Classic SOs did. Whether it would count at all on getting the unrestricted I don't know. 99% of the FEOs were QF LAMEs, licenced to actually work on the aircraft. Uni qualified engineers...not much use at all on an aircraft, though there are quite a few pilots with that qualification.

Several years ago I was having a chat with one of the Crown Casino pilots. He was the head engineer and had retrained as an FO on the Gulfstream however, he had also retained his position as engineer. He said it was great until you had been flying for 10 hours and had to get out at the other end and fix the aircraft in the middle of the night….