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.