Most pilots at some point develop a set of crib notes on the aircraft and operation they fly. For some this is quick and dirty, it essentially gets them through line training and these home grown notes are often then abandoned.
Current Version : 06.Jul.2012 and can be downloaded as a PDF here.
For many pilots they are somewhat more extensive. For a few they become a complete re-write of all the manuals, including the company specific ones, and become a tome (or tomb) of information. In a very few instances – they become a source of reference for others and are sold as such. A friend of mine at Emirates has such a document for the Ek 777 operation. The last time I looked – it was 23.7 megabytes and 250 PDF pages that he now sells to other pilots. And it’s worth it.
I have developed various reference pieces in my time as well. Some continue. I have a database used to test myself with Questions and Answers. In that database are hundreds of questions on the 777, the A310-300/600 and the Fairchild Metro 23. There are also questions on?777 Recurrent Phases, A300/A310 Airbus Cbt Questions, Boeing 777 CBT Questions, Breast Feeding Support Group, Pilot Training From Engineering Dept, Cold Weather Operations, Drug And Alcohol Management, Dangerous Goods, Dangerous Goods 2010, Boeing 777 Fctm, Flash Card Questions, Flight Operations Manual, Airport ILS PRM Procedures, Boeing 777 Refresher Points, Reduced Vertical Separation Minima B777, Sep 2010 Exam, and Upgrade Questions. In short – anytime I come across an exam resource I try to find time to add it to the database. In the past I’ve sold it too.
Another resource that has survived is my clipboard document. It sits (surprise, surprise) inside my clipboard. Various things appear on and off it. Some stay from issue to issue, some are updated for accuracy and content, some things disappear to be replaced by something else.
In the past people have asked me for a copy and I’ve obliged, with the usual protestations of accuracy, legitimacy, relevancy and clarification that I am all care and no responsibility. As a Trainer, Checker, Training Manager and now a Standards Manager, the only thing that worries me more than seeing someone with a copy of my work (that’s outside the sphere of company documentation, much of which IS my work) – is seeing someone with an out of date copy. Hence this post and why you can find the latest copy of my clipboard document here.
Clipboard Reference
Here’s what’s on my clipboard document, how I made it, and why.
Boeing 777-300ER Unfactored Autobrake Landing Distance
I wanted to develop an appreciation of the effectiveness or 777 braking and the kind of landing distances I could expect across the range of airports we used to operate to at Emirates. I started with this table, which turns an approach reference speed as provided by the FMC and converts it into distance based on Surface Conditions (Dry or Wet with Good Braking Action) and the selected Autobrake.
LVO Downgrades
Not that there’s much to remember (and these days we reference the items in the brief beforehand anyway) but in the past a quick reference for autoland downgrades has been handy.
Load Sheet LMC
These were larger, less restrictive and easier to remember at Ek. When you need them on departure, you need them NOW – hence they’re on my clipboard in case I have a brain fart. Actually – most of the stuff on my clipboard is there in case I have a brain fart. That’s probably not a good sign, is it?
Roster Period Pairings [DISCONTINUED … for now]
When I’m sorting out my roster to request flights, I use this document that I build for each RP that comes out. Otherwise I find it to hard to work out which trip number goes where. There are several aspects built into this display. Apart from indicating Trip Numbers (useful hen bidding specifically) – The date range reflects a limited period within the RP that the trip actually runs. Dead Sectors (either as the first day of a trip, or on the last day) are coloured Yellow separately.
Color Code : Bright Yellow is 4 day trip; Green is 5 days; Cyan is 6 Days. Orange is SYD-LAX-SYD; Purple BNE-LAX-BNE; Blue is AUH; finally Grey is KUL.
Short Trip Time/Fuel
When in discussions with students on fuel – it’s handy to have a quick reference for fuel/time for short trims – such as diversions to alternates. This chart combines the two charts in the FCOM/QRH (Short Trip and the Longer one) and incorporates 5% contingency and includes Final Reserve. It’s done at Max Landing Weight as well.
Holding Speeds
For something that should damn well be universal – there sure are a lot of variations in holding speeds out there. I have to update this for OMAA and WMKK …
Head/Cross/Tail Wind Limits
Again, something that should be so simple … just isn’t.
Before Doors Closed
When the FM comes to the flight deck and says “Vee Oz Seven, Brisbane to LA, Three Sixty Pax – Can I Close the Door?” – and your first reaction is that you have absolutely no idea – refer to a checklist like this one just to be sure you’re not about to embaress yourself …
I could do with a checklist like this for when ATC say “Are you ready for the Approach?” …
Before Doors Closed
When the FM comes to the flight deck and says “Vee Oz Seven, Brisbane to LA, Three Sixty Pax – Can I Close the Door?” – and your first reaction is that you have absolutely no idea – refer to a checklist like this one just to be sure you’re not about to embaress yourself …
Noise Abatement Profiles
If it were only NADP1 and NADP2 that wouldn’t be so bad. But course there’s the LIDO vs A1 vs Jepp version of them, and a few countries still mired in ICAO A and B.
Airport Runway/Performance Limits
This chart is done using OPT to indicate the?likelihood?of you being limited. Essentially you look at the number next to the Airport/Runway combination. If it’s a Weight Limit (in a Yellow box) – then based on ISA conditions, Nil Wind – that’s a reasonable planning figure limit weight. If it’s a Temperature Limit (in a Green box) – Then that’s the ambient temperature (under otherwise ISA conditions, Nil Wind) that you can lift the certified 351,534 Kg. This chart gives me a quick look when I get the flight plan at briefing so as I know how stressed the performance planning is about to become … See my OMAA/AUH post for details.
RNAV/GPS/GNSS Checklist
If you’ve ever read your way through the tome that’s in our QRH Ops Info – you’ll?appreciate?this short checklist. Once Runway Change is sorted out, I plan to move onto this next …
Runway Change
This is what I hope we will end up with as a Runway Change Checklist. In it’s original form, it dates back to the late 90’s when I started training in the Simulator. Particularly during Command Training – I saw Runway Changes as a significant threat and sought a way to remove that threat from my own operation. Hence the checklist.
Handover Briefing
Nothing like trying to remember all the things you should tell the next crew when you’d rather be in bed. Particularly if your PM hasn’t been particularly?conscientious?about logging the flight on the OFP …