From the Flight Deck

I guess it's safe to say you fly the plane!!!!!!!!

Doug, I'll be gracing the sky today at 2:40pm; what a splendid day for it. On the agenda... steep turns.

Have a good one.

Mark

Mark. You picked a perfect day for it. Now there's another thing I don't do anymore- steep turns. :)

Enjoy.

Doug

Sounds like it's time to drive up to Brampton and get your hands dirty with a rental 172 or PA-28.

David. It's been several years I've been saying I will get checked out again in a 172. Mainly for my kids sake.

I wish I could say, procrastination, is on my "I don't do that anymore" list. :)

Thanks for provoking the idea, though.

Doug

P.S At least I'll be at the Brampton Flight Centre's Wings Banquet tonight.

Look after the lives of a lot of people?

Reg. By leaving an open question like I did, it's instigating lots of comments. Yours certainly bares the truth. Thanks. Captain Doug

I do all that and can't wait to not do any of it anymore.

Hello Captain Doug,

This is for your "I don't do that anymore" post. Sorry I don't know why, but I couldn't write it there.!!

Anyways, That's interesting. Some people pose this question that what are the pilots doing these days as everything is computerized? I really get offended when I hear these kinds of things. Why? because I am planning to start my pilot training.!!

Honsetly, I try to explain somehow that although we have computer, but it does only simple tasks, and its the job of the pilot to make the decision, not a microprocessor.!

It's nice that you brought it up, but I appreciate if you could give a technical answer to this question.

Ehsan

Taking Forever. Sounds like you need to move on. Perseverance wins. Hang in there!

Captain Doug

Doug, certainly was a perfect day. So perfect that I am going to repeat it again tomorrow. Except, range and endurance (exercise 10) will be on the menu. The more I fly, the more I want to do it more and more and more.... That's a lot of "mores"!!!

It's interesting; in my mind, any expense I now have is tracked back to how many flight hours I could have gotten instead. That being said, I did groceries today and spent $140 and I was saying to myself, I’d rather have spend the money on flying!!!

Mark. Welcome to "aviation addiction." Looks like the bug has settled in nicely. I can tell you are ecstatic about your decision. Maybe you can take me for
a flight when you get your PPL? Until then, enjoy.

I attended the Brampton Flight Centre's Wings banquet last night with 300 in attendance. Lots of happy faces because of their accomplishments.

Gone to Orlando and back. Speaking of happy faces, there will be about 30 kids on the flight happy to go see Mickey Mouse.

Doug

Don't you go outside and kick the tyre's. I do in the truck and i have a computer read out on the dashboard when i start up but still check for cuts

Doug, it’s a deal. When I get my PPL, I will take you up. All we need to do in the interim is grab that coffee one day. Maybe we can hit up a Starbucks sometime.

I flew again today and it was glorious weather. So clear up there at 3000' ASL. Mind you, there was a little wind which made for a few exciting bumps. The C152 gets knocked around quite nicely up there.

I fly YYZ - YYJ – YVR – YYZ on AC departing March 18th but the aircraft is showing a B763, so unless you are switching aircraft in the next few weeks, it won’t be you in the flight deck…. Too bad.

Chat later and enjoy your time in Florida (or is it just a turnaround?)

Mark

Stephen. Yes, we go out and kick the tires. As mentioned, it's the first officer's duty but I offer to do it whenever it's the F/O's leg.

In fact, I offered the F/O the choice which leg he wanted to fly today. He decided to fly us to Orlando so I did the walk around in CYYZ. I got back in the flight deck only to find maintenance grounded the airplane because of broken tie downs in the cargo hold.
We were delayed 3.5 hours today.

Doug

Hi Mark, it was a turnaround, but we were delayed 3.5 hours today in CYYZ because of mechanical issues. A B767-300 to Victoria? Are you sure you are not going to YVR first? Sounds like a plan about the coffee.

Doug

Doug, yes YYJ is via YVR. It's a 24 minute hopper to the island from YVR.

Good catch.

Mark

The F/O is a wise person, you do the walkaround in cold weather and he/she does it in warm weather

Stephen. Good catch! I must be a really nice guy doing the walk-around in the colder weather. I actually flew with captains years ago on the A320 that would only do walk-arounds when the weather was good or at least not raining. I thought that was a little cruel.

Hello Captain Doug,

That's interesting. Some people pose this question that what are the pilots doing these days as everything is computerized? (I really get offended when I hear these kinds of things. Why? because I am planning to start my pilot training).!!

Honsetly, I try to explain somehow that although we have computer, but it does only simple tasks, and its the job of the pilot to make the decision, not amicroprocessor.!

It's nice that you brought it up, but I appreciate if you could give a technical answer to this question.

Ehsan

[email protected]

Ehsan. Congrats in deciding on becoming a pilot! Your training will start on "steam driven" instruments with the "glass cockpit" years away, that is, if you live in Canada.
Sure you might be lucky to score a job sooner, which puts you in a fancy flight deck, but realistically it's not going to happen for a while.

My last article may have belittled the airline pilot position, but anyone in the know, realizes it takes years to have 'bragging rights'.

True, many non-aviators think all we are are 'glorified bus drivers' but any pilot would set them straight. They would tell of landing on icy runways, taking off in maximum demonstrated crosswinds, dodging thunderstorms, contending with moderate plus turbulence, delays, and the list goes on.

We in the know, have taken years to get where we are. We've made sacrifices and worked hard to get in the flight deck of a modern airliner.
We know computers have simplified our job, but we also have the experience and skill to handle the 'what ifs'.

Ehsan. Get used to people critiquing your job and simplifying it. It's a job that is respected, sought after, romanticized, and revered.

Now go and chase your dream. You'll soon realize you have the best job out there and that you don't need to defend it.

Captain Doug

Hello Doug:

Today I received my letter from Jet2in the UK and I finaly made it - right hand seat on B737s.

The money is not the best to start with but I will be celebrating tonight.

After following the self-improver route for years, and having spent time on HS 748s and all sorts of small turboprops - my latest ride was the F50. I can now say it is worth it. Maybe one day I'll see Beijing like Ian at BA, who knows!

Like you - I won't be hauling in crates anymore - or constant freight dogging in the middle of the night.

Love your blog - and I dare say many women find you dashing in your uniform!

Take care, Ally (And yes, I am a girl)!

Ally. Congrats! Sounds like a day for celebration! You are moving into the 'white shirt and tie' category.
Thanks for reading my blog and for sending such kind words. We older guys will gladly take the compliments.

All the best with your endeavours. Now go and celebrate. You deserve it!

Captain Doug

Doug:

What do you do? You provide inspiration, encouragement and thoughtful background for those who willingly sacrifice a great deal to sit in the pointy end of metal tubes.

You also safely operate one of the most complex heavier than air machines in the world as an ambassador for your airline - one of the best in world.
Oh, and you write well.

Cheers, Ian

PS The duck was nice!

Ian. That's a great way of putting it! I knew someone like yourself would come forth and reconfirm how great a job we have - and the responsibilities.

Glad to hear the duck worked out. I'm overlooking Chinatown from my Calgary (Alberta) hotel and it's time to get something to eat.

Doug