Ask The Pilot

[jb747]

It seems that Unite is complaining that the UK cabin crew on QF9/10 only get 25 hours in Perth before flying back to London with ~19 hour duty periods on each flight and say they should get more.
How long do they get in SIN? How long did they get in DXB?
How long to the flight crew get in London?

Industrial stuff. Probably best if you ask me early next year.

 

[RooFlyer]

Ok, interesting video. Not how we do it. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone doing it that way.

Was that runway very wet / had casual water on the margins ... can you tell? If so, could this be a procedure that the PF (RH seat) gave over the thrust so he could have both hands on the control column to mitigate possible skidding?

 

[jb747]

Was that runway very wet / had casual water on the margins ... can you tell? If so, could this be a procedure that the PF (RH seat) gave over the thrust so he could have both hands on the control column to mitigate possible skidding?

No. You never need both hands on the control column. Loads are not that high.

 

[flyer89]

In the comments it’s stated that this is a SOP. There some other funny things they do. A quick search of any BA vids will do should show some of them.

 

[opusman]

What's the "DECIDE" voice-over mean? Decide whether you're going to land or go around?

 

[AviatorInsight]

What's the "DECIDE" voice-over mean? Decide whether you're going to land or go around?

Yep. Exactly that. In visual conditions we cancel that callout. Usually used during instrument approaches where if you’re not visual by that height you go around. Our callouts are “plus hundred” and “minimums”.

 

[jb747]

What's the "DECIDE" voice-over mean? Decide whether you're going to land or go around?

Exactly, though it's a word I haven't heard used before. Minima/minimum is our term. The response is either 'go around, flap', or 'continue'. If an approach is declared to be visual, the automated call outs will still happen, but they are ignored.

 

[747sp]

Hi JB in regards to QF 30 incident i was wondering about the passengers and cabin crew . Was there enough time for the cabin crew to make the cabin safe ? Also if passangers had to get moved from near the door to a safer spot does the CM just tell you their plan or were you actively involved in the process?

 

[jb747]

Hi JB in regards to QF 30 incident i was wondering about the passengers and cabin crew . Was there enough time for the cabin crew to make the cabin safe ? Also if passangers had to get moved from near the door to a safer spot does the CM just tell you their plan or were you actively involved in the process?

There was roughly an hour between the failure and landing. The descent was over about 6-7 minutes after the bang. So, at that point the most immediate concern of the cabin crew would be to make sure that the passengers were ok, and that there were no injuries amongst them or the crew. Then they tidied up for landing. There was nothing they could do to make things safe, other than ensuring that nobody, passenger or crew, went anywhere near the door.

As best I recall, the aircraft was quite full, so I don't think there were any seats that people could be moved to. I don't recall any discussion about moving people. The SO took care of the comms with the CSM. I listened in, but wasn't actively involved. They had it in hand.

 

[mjt57]

JB, with regards to the 30 incident, how far from seated pax was the hole?

 

[jb747]

JB, with regards to the 30 incident, how far from seated pax was the hole?

The nearest passengers would have been in the couple of business class seats ahead of the divider at the door. Somewhere around 1.5 metres.

 

[Himeno]

There's a pilot on Youtube who used to fly A320s for Air Berlin and is now converting to 747Fs for CargoLux. He mentioned in a video that Airbus and Boeing are "very different".
How different is it to convert between two types by the same manufacture (eg 737 or 767 to 747) then to convert between manufactures (eg 747 to A380)?

 

[jb747]

There's a pilot on Youtube who used to fly A320s for Air Berlin and is now converting to 747Fs for CargoLux. He mentioned in a video that Airbus and Boeing are "very different".

Airbus tends to be much more procedural, down to minor details, which keeps pedants happy, and drives the practical nuts. Both types have 'features' that make you wonder 'what on earth were they thinking'. Overall though, Boeings were obviously designed by the engineers for the pilots, whilst Airbus were designed by the engineers, for the engineers.

How different is it to convert between two types by the same manufacture (eg 737 or 767 to 747) then to convert between manufactures (eg 747 to A380)?

Basically one conversion is quite fun, whilst the other is hard work. Across their fleets, Airbus and Boeing both keep concepts and procedures pretty much aligned. Even switch positions and layouts are similar. But, once you've done one cross type conversion, I don't think another would prove anywhere near as difficult.

 

[I love to travel]

A380 tail question. When at the gate, why is a bit of it at a 90 degree angle. Thanks

 

[jb747]

A380 tail question. When at the gate, why is a bit of it at a 90 degree angle. Thanks

The rudder? Hopefully not 90º....it doesn't go that far.

The upper and lower rudders are separate, and controlled by different hydraulic systems. They don't go to any particular place when the aircraft is shut down, but can be moved by the wind. The residual hydraulic pressure damps that, so they don't blow around, or go anywhere quickly. The setting on shutdown is always neutral.

 

[SenZubEanS]

Leave mid October to mid November.

Bummer, on a LAX trip 21-31 Oct and was hoping with everything crossed that you'd be up front. :-(

 

[Quickstatus]

When a modern jet is in normal cruise, is the airflow over the wing supersonic?

 

[jb747]

When a modern jet is in normal cruise, is the airflow over the wing supersonic?

No.

Supersonic equals drag. Which equals more fuel burn. More dollars.

You'd be in to localised supersonic flow about .1 mach above the normal airliner cruise numbers.

 

[Quickstatus]

So do the current wing designs help to keep airflow subsonic as much as possible while permitting the aircraft to fly efficiently as close to Mach 1 as possible?

.... I’m actually wondering why most current airlines cruise at around 0.85 Mac

.....

BTW how many SIMS to go before as you say “permanent leave”

 

[jb747]

Swept wing - Wikipedia

Covers it all pretty well.