From the Flight Deck: WET, WINDY...and WILD!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

WET, WINDY...and WILD!

CYYT 220700Z 07033G48KT 1 1/4SM -RA BR OVC007 03/03 A2914

The day started with a 4:40 wake up call (3:00 a.m Toronto time). One can hear the wind pounding on the hotel window. What a morning, the aircraft was rocking and rolling and that was just at the gate. We had a very light load to CYOW (Ottawa) and the flight plan showed nearly 40 minutes under sked because of a rare easterly wind aloft. During engine start on push back we get the cautionary message: AUTO FLT RUD TRV LIM1. The rudder has two limiters for travel limitations and one failed. Just what I need during one of my windiest take offs. I was uncomfortable with this degradation, but by consulting the MEL (Minimum Equipment List) and MOC (Maintenance Operations Control) in Montreal we decide to go. "Jacques from Airbus" built the airplane with two limiters and it's deemed safe to go with only one. Hmmmm?

We taxi out. It's dark, windy as hell and raining. Dispatch sends us a SIGMET (Significant meteorology) forecasting severe mechanical turbulence due to strong gusty surface winds at 4000 feet and below. No kidding.

The winds were 070 degrees true or about 090 degrees magnetic so they were close to being down the runway. It was the first officers leg. He asked me if I prefer to do the take off, but I bestowed faith in him.

We took a gust to the side at about 80 knots and thought...hmmm. We used full thrust (we did not use a flex take off because of potential windshear). We get airborne and the instruments are all over the place. Remember from my last post...CYYT has precipitous terrain.
Also on the plate it states: Moderate to severe turbulence, windshear, and downdrafts may be encountered. This place is not for the faint of heart. The F/A said two ladies in the front seats were holding on to the seats pretty hard.

Through 3000 feet it smooths out nicely. Arrive in Ottawa early only to wait ten minutes for a crew to marshall us in.

I do the walk around in Ottawa after feeling kind of bad sending the F/O out in storm force winds in Tore Bay. The temperature is minus 20 and blowing 20 knots. I froze. We push back after an aircraft swap and the "LEAD" rampie observes frost on the wings. It's to the deice center we go.

Now home in Toronto and the weather seems so docile.

It's festive time so eggnog is on the to-do list...but with rum in it.

7 comments:

: Ian said...; Wet, Windy and Wild - sounds like the triplets I wanted to date in my teens!

I looked at the METAR the other day for YYT and I thought "ouch".

Jacques from Airbus has his kinfolk Chuck in Seattle, who do good jobs with building in the failsafes - and in the scope of MEL and with Ops Maitenance happy -you did a grand job (and the right thing) heading out.

Believe most companies have 50kts absolute maximum wind for taxi on the A320s - same at AC Doug ?; December 22, 2009 12:53 PM
: From the Flight Deck said...; Ian. Good one regarding the triplets. I'm married to an identical twin and the other half is here visiting. I'd have to use other adjectives for them. :)
(I better not let my wife see this post)

Yes, after leaving YYT it seemed peaceful.

No, there's no limit for wind. Just our crosswind limitations for take off. For the Airbus 320 it's 29 knots with gusts to 38. But of course that's a demonstrated
crosswind by "Jacques from Airbus."

Doug; December 22, 2009 1:45 PM
: Dogbait said...; Damn, you had me gripping the arm rests of my computer chair!; December 22, 2009 3:10 PM
: From the Flight Deck said...; I'm now sitting in my computer chair. That's enough excitement for one day. Glad the post made an impression on you. Doug; December 22, 2009 3:22 PM
: Anonymous said...; With love from YVR, Men, u guys crack me up. love it.; December 22, 2009 3:45 PM
: From the Flight Deck said...; Thanks anon. Ian gives a lot of great comments. Capt. Doug; December 22, 2009 4:11 PM
: Ian said...; Hang on a minute Captain - you married the twin, I only ever got rejections from the triplets ;)

Off to Asalt and Battery with Rob my SFO!

Cheers to the egg nog.

Ian; December 22, 2009 5:12 PM

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Jan. 07/2010

I found your blog by accident, and I have to say it's the best aviation blog I've seen by far.
I noticed on the right hand side of your blog a link to a youtube video about Northwest 188, and thought you might like to see this descent parody if you haven't already. After reading yours and the FL250 blog about what it's like to work up in the cloudmines, and after one or two long flight sim sessions over the pond, (I sim the 320 and 330,) well it made me chuckle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0_9TIi76a4
All the best, and I hope to keep reading your excellent posts :)

Jan. 8/2010

Dear Capt. Morris, I have to start off like many others have: "I have stumbled on your blog by accident" after googling something along the lines of "plane talk" or "modern aviation stories". Thanks Google! I have been joyfully reading along for the past four months now and as a first year student enrolled in Seneca's flight program, more importantly (what I would like to consider) as a big aviation enthuthiast your blog reminds me why I must work so hard to get to my flying dream. (Trips to YYZ for spotting works just the same but can be inconvenient on time and gas, it can be a fair drive from Scarborough) From the not so great "perks"; Company airline passes. To the joys of the job; Check Ride!/Weekends in the "Box"...(I say this jokingly of course, sounds like they aren't that great after all). I can only get excited with the road that lies ahead. It also gives a little insight in the workload coming along with it!

Jan.10/2010

Hi there Doug: I'm an Emirates B777 skipper based in Dubai ....(entire comment found in post "Competent or Not.") Great blog Doug - enjoy reading it

Jan. 18/2010
Doug Best aviation blog I've ever seen. Especially enjoyed the latest entry from St. John's. Having been stationed in Newfoundland for several years, I'm very familiar with the challenges of weather on the Rock the Rock and flying! Small and large planes. Keep up the good work in the air and on the blog!

Jan.18/2010
Capt Doug. Many thanks for answering my enroute question on "the age of aircraft", published in this months enroute magazine. Also congratulations on getting through the check ; )I am another avid follower of yours and 'The Flying Scotsman's' blogs, always looking forward to the next postings. As well as the interesting technical info, they give us 'we wish we were pilots' an insight into the life of an airline pilot.

Feb. 01/2010
Just a quick note of appreciation and to compliment you on your book. I finished it already and found myself wanting it to continue! I have read alot of aviation books and websites but I found your approach really unique, and learned alot of new things. I especially enjoyed the meteorology aspect of the book. Just like in your blog, I find your writing makes me feel like I'm inside the flight deck with you - especially the take-off part you wrote about.