It’s funny how these things crop up. In late 2008 I discussed (strenuously) the issue of Missed Approach Acceleration – now I find a friend from a Middle Easter carrier is encountering the same problem.
Aviation
50,000 volts into the MCP
Next time you reach up for something on the Mode Control Panel (MCP) – try and remember that 50,000 volts could be involved … Let me explain.
![Checking Crew in the Aircraft [Updated Nov/21]](https://www.infinidim.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/image.jpeg "image")
Checking Crew in the Aircraft [Updated Nov/21]
I’ve been sitting on this post for nearly two years. I originally developed the content for internal discussions within our Standards Department as the result of an occurrence on a check; then further developed it as I discussed the issues raised with my fellow Checkers; along with Checkers and Standards Managers from several other airlines. […]
ACARS and Error Checking
I recently discovered something interesting about ACARS. There’s no error detection or correction. None. To be honest, when I was told this I wasn’t exactly surprised, but now that I’ve had time to think about it – I’m somewhat appalled. Note : I have recently received feedback that some of my contentions in this article […]
Relief Crew on the Flight Deck
The presence of additional flight crew on the flight deck over and above the standard two crew complement can be a challenge for some Primary Crew to manage. The role of a Relief Crew member on a flight deck can also be a challenging one. Decades of research and documentation clearly define the roles of Cisco and Pancho on the flight deck. No one defines what Diablo is supposed to do …
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Boeing won’t tell you what you want to know (which is usually everything) about a NnM – just what you Need to know.
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 […]
So, Who should Fly?
Currently I’m evaluating research on the roles of the Captain vs the First Officer in the detection and correction of procedural errors on the flight deck. Fortunately I’m not looking at our entire operation, just one small corner of it. First, some background. Delaying Final FMC Performance Data Entry Our SOP’s are pretty much based on Boeing’s […]
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 what I can glean on the web, the 737 Max while incorporating some revolutionary technologies in the engines and airframe – is […]
Electric Airplanes Are Beginning to Take Off
The future of aviation could very well be here with electric aircraft. Electric planes like the commercial Pipistrel Alpha Electro aircraft, nicknamed “Bobby,” have recently reached new milestones, flying 1,400 kilometers on a single charge. And it’s not the only rechargeable plane that has done so. Electric commuter airplanes from Seattle in the United States […]
LNAV for a Localizer Approach
I was recently asked whether we could still use LNAV to fly a Localizer Instrument Approach, and whether that was the preferred mode. This question was asked during a briefing on PBN which has caused some confusion. Recently we’ve seen some changes in the way we do aircraft Navigation, or at least in the way […]
Clipboard Reference : 06Jul16
Most pilots at some point develop a set of crib notes on the aircraft and operation they fly. For some this is quick and dirty, it essentially gets them through line training and these home grown notes are often then abandoned. Current Version : 06.Jul.2012 and can be downloaded as a PDF here. For many […]
I’m Sorry – Did You Want To Fly This Thing?
Ken : The following article is written by a current B737 First Officer, after a discussion we had on Flight Deck Crew Dynamics. Have you ever been in the situation as the Pilot Flying where your off-sider has interfered with the Mode Control Panel (MCP) or lowered the landing gear without you asking? If so, […]
EFB Adventures
My airline is currently looking at various options for an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). Originally meant to come with our spanking new 777-300ER’s, they didn’t – for a variety of timing, manufacturing and political reasons. Thus we have an exceedingly handy clip/chart holder and a neat little cupboard where a hundred thousand dollar EFB should […]
Runway Change on Departure
A runway change can be highly destructive to mental model the crew establish during preflight of the aircraft departure. Dozens of decisions, selections and entries are often required to be evaluated and implemented – often while the engines are running and aircraft are waiting behind you.