Ask The Pilot

[mikenz]

Do aircraft do the full trip in the example of MEL-DBX-LHR, or would they do MEL-DBX-MEL/SYD?
I've always assumed they do the full trip but I suppose there's no reason why they should.

 

[Himeno]

Do aircraft do the full trip in the example of MEL-DBX-LHR, or would they do MEL-DBX-MEL/SYD?
I've always assumed they do the full trip but I suppose there's no reason why they should.

The aircraft do the full trip routing MEL-DXB-LHR-DXB-SYD. The only time they don't is when something has happened to cause the cancellation of one sector. eg, a large delay could mean a DXB-LHR-DXB rotation is cancelled in order to get the schedule back.

 

[Major]

A question regarding the flight crew for the QF 733 (SF) aircraft. Are they rostered from the general 737 fleet or are they only rated for that particular type ?

 

[jb747]

A question regarding the flight crew for the QF 733 (SF) aircraft. Are they rostered from the general 737 fleet or are they only rated for that particular type ?

Freight has its own pilot group.

 

[Hvr]

Freight has its own pilot group.

So are freight pilots asked to consider it or do they self select? Are there benefits such as different routes?

And finally, is there any cross over between passenger and freight pilots?
For example could you change plane types and move to the other group if selected for promotion?

Thanks

 

[jb747]

So are freight pilots asked to consider it or do they self select? Are there benefits such as different routes?

And finally, is there any cross over between passenger and freight pilots?
For example could you change plane types and move to the other group if selected for promotion?

I should have said a bit more I guess. They are a totally different employer. The pilots have no avenue for transfer to mainline. Same as Cobham, etc.

I think some mainline people have flown for them whilst on leave without pay from mainline, but that's in the same way that some have flown for Emirates, etc.

 

[jb747]

The views aren't bad...

Setting moon, thunderstorm, and Sri Lanka.

 

[Quickstatus]

How many pixels?

 

[jb747]

How many pixels?

I don't know that the number of pixels matters all that much...but, it was taken using a Nikon D800, so about 35megapixels....which I guess is a lot.

I see thunderstorms a lot, and the moon sets like clockwork, but it's all luck to have a city underneath at the same time. Sadly the aircraft just isn't as stable as a tripod, so I have to accept some motion in the shots.

 

[Quickstatus]

There are all sorts of camera mounting hardware depending on mounting point. Easiest is to photograph the preferred mounting point (if any - for example a pillar or post) and consult a photographic store.

What iso are you using?

Mostly thunderstorms around equatorial regions?.

 

[jb747]

There are all sorts of camera mounting hardware depending on mounting point. Easiest is to photograph the preferred mounting point (if any - for example a pillar or post) and consult a photographic store.

What iso are you using?

Mostly thunderstorms around equatorial regions?.

That's where you can almost guarantee them. The ITCZ - inter tropical convergence zone.

It's very difficult to find a point that you can mount a camera on, which is one reason that most images from the net are taken with Go-Pros. I've used a Manfrotto clamp, but most positions transfer vibration, or actually aren't all that rigid. The shot above was hand held...99% don't work, but occasionally the motions cancel out.

 

[Skyring]

I don't know that the number of pixels matters all that much...but, it was taken using a Nikon D800, so about 35megapixels....which I guess is a lot.

I see thunderstorms a lot, and the moon sets like clockwork, but it's all luck to have a city underneath at the same time. Sadly the aircraft just isn't as stable as a tripod, so I have to accept some motion in the shots.

Very nice juxtaposition of elements. Thanks for posting.

Re vibration, have you tried a camera with image stabilisation? My Olympus EM-1 senses movement and jiggles the sensor around to compensate. Kind of like noise-cancellation for cameras, I guess. A black magic that gives crisp shots even in dim lighting.

 

[jb747]

For pretty obvious reasons, I can't go attaching cameras to most items in the coughpit. The most rigid point that i've been able to find is a hand hold that is directly above the pilots heads, and that somewhat limits its use. Most shots are short enough that the mount doesn't matter.

I was using a stabilised lens, but everything has limits. The ISO was in the region of 5000. The film is cheap, so I don't mind a low hit rate.

 

[Quickstatus]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ing-y-husband-flying-82759-3.html#post1633904

The further the tail is away from the centre of mass (COM) the greater the moment of force on pitch and yaw. I understand the effect of vertical acceleration of gravity on the COM will affect pitch only. But the effect of horizontal acceleration caused by crosswinds on the COM will affect yaw?
And presumably aircrafts are designed to operate within a certain range of COM positions and longer aircraft are affected to a greater extent than shorter aircraft , so although passengers do not represent a significant proportion of the mass of the aircraft can a small number of passengers adversely affect COM?.
Example: if all 14 passengers in F cabin moved and sat in the rearmost seats of an A380?
What do pilots adjust to compensate for the changes in centre of mass? Trim?

 

[jb747]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ing-y-husband-flying-82759-3.html#post1633904

The further the tail is away from the centre of mass (COM) the greater the moment of force on pitch and yaw. I understand the effect of vertical acceleration of gravity on the COM will affect pitch only.

That's called tail volume. In the case of the 767, the 200s and 300s had the same tail structure, but the 300 had a longer moment arm, so therefore, more tail volume. Markedly better pitch response, and better crosswind limits.

But the effect of horizontal acceleration caused by crosswinds on the COM will affect yaw?

I guess the effect would exist, but it would be trivial. The tail is designed to handle the yaw caused by loss of an engine, so it has to be able to counteract the effect of thousands of pounds of yawing input. Weight and balance is concerned with pitch, not yaw. It would have a roll effect too, but it would be so small we'd never notice.

And presumably aircrafts are designed to operate within a certain range of COM positions and longer aircraft are affected to a greater extent than shorter aircraft , so although passengers do not represent a significant proportion of the mass of the aircraft can a small number of passengers adversely affect COM?.
Example: if all 14 passengers in F cabin moved and sat in the rearmost seats of an A380?

You'd have to move from end to end to have much effect. We move the fuel from the tail to the wings in 2 tonne lots (so equivalent to 20 passengers) and that gives a 2% movement in the CofG. So, you'd need to have your whole extended family running up and down to be noticeable. On the other hand, if an aircraft were loaded to near the limits, even a single person moving could put it outside of those limits...but it still wouldn't be noticeable...just not legal.

What do pilots adjust to compensate for the changes in centre of mass? Trim?

The entire horizontal tail assembly moves to give us pitch trim changes. Mostly the changes are automatic, but we can force them if we need. Power changes also demand trim changes.

 

[jb747]

The untold story of QF72: What happens when 'psycho' automation leaves pilots powerless?


Interesting reading, and pretty close to the truth. This event was much more frightening than an oxy bottle going bang, or an engine failure in a 4 engined aircraft.

 

[tuppaware]

I was reading about ETOPS certs and I was wondering what Qantas 789 would fall under having to operate PER-LHR ?

 

[tuppaware]

The untold story of QF72: What happens when 'psycho' automation leaves pilots powerless?


Interesting reading, and pretty close to the truth. This event was much more frightening than an oxy bottle going bang, or an engine failure in a 4 engined aircraft.

Interesting article. What scares me is that what control pilots didn't have in stopping the second dive. How are the automations different in say 777 compared to the Airbus. I assume Boeings method of control is that it can always override the automatic systems ?

 

[Quickstatus]

The untold story of QF72: What happens when 'psycho' automation leaves pilots powerless?


Interesting reading, and pretty close to the truth. This event was much more frightening than an oxy bottle going bang, or an engine failure in a 4 engined aircraft.

Can you explain the philosophy behind "letting go of the controls"

 

[Himeno]

I was reading about ETOPS certs and I was wondering what Qantas 789 would fall under having to operate PER-LHR ?

Great Circle route would come under ETOPS120 Great Circle Mapper