So … for the second time in 2 years and the third time in 25 … I’m doing another Type Rating. This time it’s the Boeing 737NG and it’s very … different. For the first thing – I have LOTS of time. As practically every other pilot who’s ever gone through a type rating knows […]
Flight Training
Checking Crew in the Aircraft [Updated Nov/21]
I’ve been sitting on this post for nearly two years. I originally developed the content for internal discussions within our Standards Department as the result of an occurrence on a check; then further developed it as I discussed the issues raised with my fellow Checkers; along with Checkers and Standards Managers from several other airlines. […]
BAe146 Normal Ops Flows
So last year was a COVID Airline Industry sh!tshow and the upshot was (after being made redundant from the Virgin 777 operation) – I was fortunate to find myself on a BAe146 course. At least in part, my recruitment was based on my technical and computer skills (as opposed to any dubious potential to point […]
Procedures and Techniques – Feb 2022 Update
For the last decade or so, I have been working on a document called Boeing 777 Procedures and Techniques. It has it’s genesis in what was originally a Common Errors document based on observations of Pilot/Student actions in the Simulator – but most particularly Instructor/Examiner activity in the Brief/Sim/Debrief as well. If you would like […]
KLAX Los Angeles SIDs & STARs
Early last year, the FAA revised the SIDs and STARs at Los Angeles KLAX airport. I don’t know if I had annual leave or missed any associated documentation, but it’s fair to say that as a fleet that basically operates into the East Coast of Australia and LAX exclusively – it was something of a baptism […]
GPS Failure and Subsequent Navigation
We’ve become so reliant on GPS that the loss of it will come as quite a shock to today’s airline crew. The simulator doesn’t help – with a total inability to adequately simulate IRS drift. The issues are complex …
777 Engine Failure Analysis
There are a broad range of possible engine malfunctions in the 777, some of which are clearly annunciated ([] ENG FAIL, [] ENG EEC MODE, [] ENG OIL PRESSURE, etc) – others that manifest only through EICAS (or other) engine indications. For the most part, the occurrence of an EICAS annunciated checklist in the B777 […]
B777 Engine Failure on Takeoff (EFATO)
Engine Failure on Takeoff (Read : Sudden Bang, Vibration, Fire, Smoke, Fire Bells and other Cautions and Warnings) at the most critical point on Takeoff (V1) is pretty ubiquitous in our Check and Training regime and our Regulatory Matrix. We pretty much see at least two of them (One for You … Ta … One […]
Infinidim B777 Procedures and Techniques
For the last decade or so, I have been working on a document called Boeing 777 Procedures and Techniques. It has it’s genesis in what was originally a Common Errors document based on observations of Pilot/Student actions in the Simulator – but most particularly Instructor/Examiner activity in the Brief/Sim/Debrief as well. See the Feb 2021 […]
[] FLAPS DRIVE
In the event of a FLAPS DRIVE failure, the checklist asks the crew to confirm the position of the Flaps. This sounds simple, but can be made complex by the situation … and the crew …
P&T : Engine VIB-ration
Not all Engine Malfunctions are as clear as [] ENG FAIL, [] FIRE ENG or even Engine Failure Analysis. Sometimes engine malfunctions are as simple as anomalous indications of Oil Temperature or Pressure – or high engine vibrations on the Secondary Engine Display.
Runway Change
Recently I was given a runway change on pushback. Despite operating out of LAX where runway change is a real likelihood, it’s been quite a while since I’ve had happen to me on taxi. Once we got the changes made – we ran the ECL Runway Change Checklist to tidy things up. Meanwhile our next […]
Low Visibility Operations – Boeing 777
As a second officer in the B747-400 in the early 90’s, my exposure to Low Visibility Operations (LVOPS) or LWMO as Cathay called it then (Low Weather Minima Operations) was pretty minimal. Thus my first real exposure to racing down a runway at 300kph in 75m visibility Fog – or someone calling “LANDING!” on approach […]
Infinidim Training Videos
Infinidim Training Videos The following training videos are specific to the Boeing 777 – but might well have relevance to your operation as well. For now, they’re listed as I create them – I’ll organise later. All the Training Videos are on YouTube. Note that on the right you can also access my B777 Procedures and […]
Unreliable Airspeed on Takeoff – A Simulated Scenario
So after a carefully walk around the outside of the aircraft where the Static and Pitot ports are checked un-obstructed; no indications from your EICAS that there are any problems with the Air Data System during taxi; you barrel down the runway, cross check the airspeed when you hear the call “Eighty Knots!” and see […]