Ask The Pilot

[mt63]

On a recent flight down the east coast the tops of the clouds were remarkably flat. It looked like an ice field in all directions. Is there a peculiar meteorological condition that would cause this and does it have any implications for flying? Turbulence was non-existent.

 

[markis10]

That would more than likely be an inversion layer where a layer of warm air has trapped a layer of cooler air beneath it, ie mer de nuages.

 

[Major]

At what stage is the transponder activated ?
Do you activate it manually or is it automatic when power is on ?
What are the regulations regarding it being on or off ?

 

[AviatorInsight]

At what stage is the transponder activated ?
Do you activate it manually or is it automatic when power is on ?
What are the regulations regarding it being on or off ?

Once we request the clearance the transponder code will be punched in and then activated.

When the flight is complete, we squawk the generic IFR code and put it back into standby mode for the next flight.

 

[markis10]

Once we request the clearance the transponder code will be punched in and then activated.

When the flight is complete, we squawk the generic IFR code and put it back into standby mode for the next flight.

Probably worth clarifying that we have ADSB transponders as well as SSR Mode c which are dinosaurs a bit like this ATCO

 

[Saab34]

JB I noted this quote from a recent Jetstar flight into Cairns, was an apparent fume event, crew feeling a little off etc. I was surprised that a dedicated group medical team was available in a place like Cairns.

Are these simply outsourced medical professions that are just contracted out to attend when these events occur?

The aircraft landed normally in Cairns, and the flight crew were assessed by Qantas Group’s medical team on arrival.

 

[Rabs97]

Are these simply outsourced medical professions that are just contracted out to attend when these events occur?

Crew can report symptoms or lack thereof to company docs over the phone. If company docs decide the exposure or symptoms warrants further investigation crew can be directed to attend in port medical clinics.

 

[jb747]

The company has it's own medical department based in Sydney. They're more for management of medical issues than day to day treatment, though in the past they did do aviation medicals. Anything down the road will be contracted out.

 

[Quickstatus]

I think Qantas Aviation Medical Services does employment related medical clearances such as pre-employment, return to work, fitness for duty, and related regulatory compliance rather than clinical medicine per se.

Aviation medicine is a specialisation whose umbrella academic college is the Australiasiam College of Aerospace Medicine

 

[Siebert]

I've learned more about how airline operations work from threads like this than from most aviation documentaries. Hearing explanations directly from pilots adds a lot of context you don't usually get elsewhere. It's great that experienced crew are willing to share their knowledge.

 

[Mattg]

I just boarded a Boeing 737 flight and the captain announced that he’s flying today with Second Officer [name].

Is it normal for a captain to be paired with a second officer in a 2-person crew?

 

[markis10]

Think the SO was flying the approach on this SQ flight Wednesday

 

[AviatorInsight]

I just boarded a Boeing 737 flight and the captain announced that he’s flying today with Second Officer [name].

Is it normal for a captain to be paired with a second officer in a 2-person crew?

If it was in Europe, then yes. That's their title until they get promoted to junior or senior First Officer (depending on the airline).

 

[Mattg]

If it was in Europe, then yes. That's their title until they get promoted to junior or senior First Officer (depending on the airline).

This was MH.

FWIW, the SO was the pilot flying and the landing was pretty hard. Maybe that was just a coincidence.

 

[markis10]

This was MH.

FWIW, the SO was the pilot flying and the landing was pretty hard. Maybe that was just a coincidence.

MH have 500 hours min for their second officers, by comparison Scoot have 200 with just 100 PIC!

 

[Rabs97]

MH have 500 hours min for their second officers, by comparison Scoot have 200 with just 100 PIC!

In many Australian carriers it’s less than that.

CASA ATPL only requires 70hrs PIC (the rest is done ICUS as an F/O). You only need a CPL to fly as an FO unless you’re acting PIC on a long haul flight.

Since the year 2000 it’s estimated anywhere from 30-50% of Australian airline pilots came through a cadet or academy style scheme (where their first job was as an FO as opposed to a first job in GA or as an instructor).

 

[Captain Halliday]

Are the rules for seatbelts on/off, door close and safety brief timing set by CASA, the manufacturer or at airline discretion?

Asking because I had what seemed a very unusual experience on flight this evening.

During boarding there were a couple of announcements that the aircraft was refuelling and pax asked to leave seatbelts off. Seemed normal. I’ve experienced this many times before.

however, when boarding was complete, crew closed 1L and commenced safety briefing with the fuel truck still in place near the right wing.

I suppose it’s possible that refuelling had been completed but the truck hadn’t moved.

However, the seatbelt signs didn’t come on until part way through the safety briefing and after the part where they explain the seatbelt use.