Ask The Pilot

[jb747]

Over at QF, aircraft were more or less the same, as long as they were optioned exactly the same way. There was a large difference between 767/200 and 300, and also between 300GE and 300RR. Jumbos had the same sort of difference. The -400 was dramatically more frugal than the -300, and there was quite a difference between the RR and GE aircraft. Over on the 380 there was no noticeable difference. But, at the flight planning level, each aircraft had a different treatment, with a percent or two variation across the fleet; not necessarily new vs older though.

Even on the 777 I didn’t notice, unless you flew VPD which, unless you centred the control column, flew crooked and so the fuel burn was higher.

All of the 747s were bent...except for OJH. Go figure.

 

[markis10]

All of the 747s were bent...except for OJH. Go figure.

Maybe OJH benefited from the golfing trip in Bangkok?

 

[Saab34]

With the recent fire in an overhead bin on one carrier, if you are faced with a fire that can’t be contained, how quickly could you realistically within aircraft limits get back on the ground?

Would 5-10 mins from the upper flight levels be possible if you have a runway nearby?

 

[jb747]

Would 5-10 mins from the upper flight levels be possible if you have a runway nearby?

So you have to get down, slow down, cover the distance to the runway, land, stop. If the alignment and distance to the runway were perfect, perhaps 10 minutes. In reality, too long.

Even though I own a number of power banks, the more I think about it, the more I’m on the side of a complete ban on their carriage.

 

[Quickstatus]

But, at the flight planning level, each aircraft had a different treatment, with a percent or two variation across the fleet

When you do the fuel calculations, do you also make allowances for the differences in addition to the planners?

 

[mjt57]

Even though I own a number of power banks, the more I think about it, the more I’m on the side of a complete ban on their carriage.

It might end up happening. If so, I would hope that the airlines then cater for everyone who likes to use their devices in-flight. Our recent trip home on an Emirates A380 had only US style 110v outlets. And who thinks to throw in a US/AU adapter when flying to Europe?

 

[Daver6]

So you have to get down, slow down, cover the distance to the runway, land, stop. If the alignment and distance to the runway were perfect, perhaps 10 minutes. In reality, too long.

Even though I own a number of power banks, the more I think about it, the more I’m on the side of a complete ban on their carriage.

Is it just power banks though? What about batteries for things like drones, SLR cameras etc? Would they be a risk too?

 

[Quickstatus]

What about these?:

 

[Kerrodt]

Is it just power banks though? What about batteries for things like drones, SLR cameras etc? Would they be a risk too?

And what about the batteries in iPhones, iPads etc.? Are they of similar construction and compounds as the power banks et al?

But looking at the video footage of how these can quickly escalate, whether in an aircraft or not, I’d be inclined to agree with jb747 and be on the side of a complete ban in aircrafts.

 

[mjt57]

Is it just power banks though? What about batteries for things like drones, SLR cameras etc? Would they be a risk too?

How do you distinguish between the different types of batteries?

 

[Daver6]

And what about the batteries in iPhones, iPads etc.? Are they of similar construction and compounds as the power banks et al?

But looking at the video footage of how these can quickly escalate, whether in an aircraft or not, I’d be inclined to agree with jb747 and be on the side of a complete ban in aircrafts.

Well remember a good few years ago, Samsung Note 7 phones has an issue where they would catch on fire and were banned from aircraft.

 

[jb747]

Is it just power banks though? What about batteries for things like drones, SLR cameras etc? Would they be a risk too?

There is no doubt that it's all quite a maze. The only reason I have a power bank at all, is to run my cameras. When shooting star trails, I often need to be running a heater blanket to stop the lens misting, and I use an external adapter that lets me run the camera continuously all night. The Nikon batteries are only good for about 3 hours. The reality is that they are all a risk, but some more that others. I have no idea how you'd define a cutoff, but for anything to be allowed I'd want it to be approachable enough that it could be manhandled into a safe spot.

How do you distinguish between the different types of batteries?

There's my batteries, and everyone else.