Latest Post
P&T : Engine VIB-ration
Not all Engine Malfunctions are as clear as [] ENG FAIL, [] FIRE ENG or even Engine Failure Analysis. Sometimes engine malfunctions are as simple as anomalous indications of Oil Temperature or Pressure – or high engine vibrations on the Secondary Engine Display. Engine VIB-rations (like other secondary engine indications that do not … [Read More...]
[] SLATS DRIVE
The Slats (as opposed to Flaps) are high lift, leading edge devices designed to increase the lift on a wing that’s designed for high speed / high altitude flight, not this low speed lifting 350 tons off the ground manoeuvre that we insist on performing at the beginning of every flight. Sometimes they fail and one … [Read More...]
[] FLAPS DRIVE
The Flaps (as opposed to Slats) are high lift, trailing edge devices designed to increase the lift on a wing that's designed for high speed / high altitude flight, not this low speed lifting 350 tons off the ground manoeuvre that we insist on performing at the beginning of every flight. Sometimes they fail and one of the … [Read More...]
VNAV Non-Precision Approach
VNAV is the Mode-of-Choice for Non-Precision approach. The highest level of automation; lowest flight deck workload, and a managed flight path to the runway. Mostly. Continuing in my process to convert 10 years of powerpoints into training videos - see the Infinidim VNAV NPA Training Video on YouTube - also on the Infinidim Training Videos … [Read More...]
FMC Holding Speeds/Altitudes
The release of the ATSB investigation into QF29, a Boeing 747-400 that experienced multiple stick shaker activations while taking up a holding pattern on arrival into Hong Kong in April 2017 has a number of lessons applicable to anyone operating a 777 (such as myself). I'm absolutely not going to descend into criticisms or a review of pilot actions … [Read More...]
Wide Body EBA 2017 Calculator [UPDATE 19Mar18]
With the implementation of the 2017 Wide Body EBA - it's time to revise the spreadsheet I developed to track and check Overtime, Callout, etc for the 2011 EBA. Part and parcel has been seeking clarification from the AIC/CP on certain aspects of the EBA's implementation. Most particularly clarification over the MCG, how RP changeovers are going to … [Read More...]
APU to Pack
The 777 offers the facility of using the APU to power an Air-Conditioning Pack during takeoff for those times when the departure is performance limited and you're trying to squeeze every last Kg you can out of the takeoff while still providing some AC to the cabin (during the Takeoff). https://youtu.be/cgk1HS0Iv5E While a neat option, it … [Read More...]
GPWS Go-Around From an ILS Approach
The following event occurs only in the simulator, owing the nature of the simulated failure (falsely low Radio Altimeter reading leading to GPWS Terrain Alert). While that event is fun enough - couple it with a ... Coupled Approach and the recovery becomes more complicated that it needs to be ... When you combine the following points together … [Read More...]
Infinidim B777 Procedures and Techniques – Initial Release
For the last decade, I have been working on a document called Procedures and Techniques. It has it's genesis in what was originally a Common Errors document based on observations of Pilot/Student actions in the Simulator - but most particularly Instructor/Examiner activity in the Brief/Sim/Debrief as well. Over the years this document has grown. … [Read More...]
Contributions Welcome
You may have noticed that I've included a PayPal link on my web site. As I move more away from developing company documentation and focus back on Infinidim, I have included a link to my US PayPal account for anyone who may wish to offset some of the time and cost associated with maintaining my content. Many of you have expressed thanks and a … [Read More...]
V Australia 777 Delivery Flight : #13 VA9090 LAX-SYD – We Have An Airline : 10:30L 09.Feb.09
In February 2009 I was part of the team that picked up Virgin Australia's (then V Australia) first Boeing 777-300ER. Having arrived into the airline in June 2008, it had been a long 7 months - very long - but now we were about to get an aeroplane - and fly it. For the benefit of those in the team that couldn't come along (and we took a lot of them … [Read More...]
V Australia 777 Delivery Flight : #12 Down to the Checkered Flag – 12:30L 06Feb09
In February 2009 I was part of the team that picked up Virgin Australia's (then V Australia) first Boeing 777-300ER. Having arrived into the airline in June 2008, it had been a long 7 months - very long - but now we were about to get an aeroplane - and fly it. For the benefit of those in the team that couldn't come along (and we took a lot of them … [Read More...]
V Australia 777 Delivery Flight : #11 First Flight – Seattle BFI – Los Angeles LAX – 12:30L 07Feb09
In February 2009 I was part of the team that picked up Virgin Australia's (then V Australia) first Boeing 777-300ER. Having arrived into the airline in June 2008, it had been a long 7 months - very long - but now we were about to get an aeroplane - and fly it. For the benefit of those in the team that couldn't come along (and we took a lot of them … [Read More...]
V Australia 777 Delivery Flight : #10 Delivery Party – 19:00L 05Feb09
In February 2009 I was part of the team that picked up Virgin Australia's (then V Australia) first Boeing 777-300ER. Having arrived into the airline in June 2008, it had been a long 7 months - very long - but now we were about to get an aeroplane - and fly it. For the benefit of those in the team that couldn't come along (and we took a lot of them … [Read More...]
B777 Engine Failure on Takeoff (EFATO)
Engine Failure on Takeoff (Read : Sudden Bang, Vibration, Fire, Smoke, Fire Bells and other Cautions and Warnings) at the most critical point on Takeoff (V1) is pretty ubiquitous in our Check and Training regime and our Regulatory Matrix. We pretty much see at least two of them (One for You ... Ta ... One for Me ... Thanks ...) every six months in … [Read More...]
Random Posts (Sue Me, I was Bored).
Will the REAL Ken Pascoe … stop stealing my mail.
Ken Pascoe is interfering with my life again. He stuffed me around no end 15 years ago and now, thanks to the limitations of technology, he's doing it again. Sorry, Who has my books? I joined … [Read More...]
Setting Final Approach Speed … On Final
Sometimes during a NNM in the simulator you see that when landing configuration is established, and the aircraft is being manoeuvred around the approach at the minimum flap manoeuvre speed - a further … [Read More...]
VNAV without LNAV without … VNAV
Recently I had a philosophical discussion on board with a crew about the use of VNAV without LNAV engaged. I was surprised to discover that they were unaware of any of the potential pitfalls … [Read More...]
Decision Making Models
We are reviewing Decision Making Models at the moment. On the 777, we've used FORDEC, which is very close to the European model, except we've replaced "Check" with "Communicate", which may or may not … [Read More...]
Relief Crew on the Flight Deck
Ok, so this one may be a little controversial. As you read it remember that unlike many of my professional brethren, in my dim dark past I actually have been a Cruise Relief First Officer (actually a … [Read More...]
FMC Holding Speeds/Altitudes
The release of the ATSB investigation into QF29, a Boeing 747-400 that experienced multiple stick shaker activations while taking up a holding pattern on arrival into Hong Kong in April 2017 has a … [Read More...]
Engine Out Drift Down – and the FMA
I'm working on an update to the Practices and Techniques document I developed in 2008. While this has been a published document in my airline for several years, it was recently taken offline and is … [Read More...]
Weather Avoidance via Satellite
Weather avoidance is part and parcel of an airline pilot's standard task list. From the Mark One Eyeball to the Rockwell Collins WXR-2100 Weather Radar there are various tools available to assist in … [Read More...]
P&T Update : Visual Reference at the Minima
While most of the world seems to use Jeppesen, I've been exclusively using LIDO now (across two airlines) for perhaps 10 years. While it took some getting used to, I've come to much prefer them. As an … [Read More...]
The Boeing 787 – Evolutionary and Revolutionary
The Boeing 787 is certainly a revolutionary step from anything Boeing has done recently - and from anything else Boeing seems to have planned in the future it would seem, judging by the 737-Max. From … [Read More...]
This is the personal web site of Ken Pascoe.