Flight Plan



My flight plan....to encourage, mentor, guide those pining for the sky. I'm also here to virtually open the flight deck door for those who want to take a peek at the many aspects of aviation.....enjoy!

...and welcome aboard!...


Slats and No slats

Slats and no Slats

A Facebook friend sent this pic. These two are lined up on the parallels flying into San Francisco. The parallels are 750 apart. It shows you what the leading edge lift devices (slats) do and how flat the RJ approaches without them. I've been in the RJ jumpseat a couple of times and it certainly "widens your eyes" while on approach. Especially when I flew the big ole A340.








Saturday, January 15, 2011

Weather Network interview (with Chris St.Clair)


I received an email from Chris St. Clair (weather guru on Canada's..The Weather Network) this morning at 7:45. He wanted to know if I could talk about aircraft deicing. (Snow was falling in the Toronto area and it added to the ambiance).
At 9:15 Captain Doug showed up bright and chirpy. TWN is only 4 minutes away. :)

Chris, himself a pilot and a frequent reader of my blog, makes his weekend show look so easy. A true professional. He too wrote a book, Canada's Weather. It's hard cover with a unique front photo which moves lightning strikes around depending on the angle. (Yes, I did try to pay profusely, but refused profusely). I can't wait to read it.

The interview was live...actually two were previously taped but due to technical problems...we went "live." It's airing 12 and 42 minutes after the hour.

I asked for them to set up a link for my blog. Stay tuned.

Thanks Chris for the opportunity!

Captain Doug

P.S For those weather geeks out there, after leafing through Chris's book, it makes for a great purchase!

Canada's Weather

28 comments:

WILLO2D said...

Hi Doug, I'll watch out for it on t' TWN interweb thingy. Unfortunately, our current (only) cable tv company doesn't provide this interesting sort of channel in their feeds. When we were in Sweden, we could get all sorts of wx channels from all over europe. Watching video feeds from cameras set up on Swiss and Austrian ski slopes was very relaxing whilst having a quart mug of coffee at breakfast. One German tv company also had a dark o'clock program showing an hour long looped film of earth imagery shot from the MIR space station and STS missions and set to classical, easy listening and instrumental rock music... 'twas brilliant.

Thanks / IanH

fche said...

Agreed, Chris's book (and screen work) is excellent.

From the Flight Deck said...

fche. Just leafing through his book now- some great pictures!

Captain Doug

From the Flight Deck said...

Ian H.

I don't see any links set up on TWN's website. Oh well.

Yes, we have a station here where you can watch a log burning in a fireplace. Made for a great
backdrop for Christmas. I won't say what else I saw on the German T.V at "dark o'clock" when I couldn't sleep on my FRA layovers. :)

Cedarglen said...

Capt. Doug, Great idea! One (unswelled) head holding two hats is a natural for TV. When the link is available, I would enjoy seeing the clip. If anyone pays attention to ice accumulation, it is the meteorologist-pilot. And yes, everyone is glad that you are flying for the public, not lying to the public. . Some new back channel stuff for you, maybe tonight. (I'm enjoying that hit counter almost as much as you are.)
-Craig
P.S. And - so where is your 'potty post?' Two posts in a day is not illegal, except with Mrs. Capt. Doug,
raig
-Loving that hit Counter!!

From the Flight Deck said...

Craig

You made me laugh about "two posts in a day is not illegal." But I must pace myself to keep Mrs. Doug happy. :)

Actually Mrs. Doug said I did an okay job this morning with the interview.

I would have liked to talk longer but 3.5 minutes is a LONG time on television. :)

I'm off to LAS "lost wages" tomorrow.

I'll post the "potty post" prior to.

Captain Doug

P.S So you are the one pumping up the "page view" numbers? :) :) :)

Cedarglen said...

Cpt. Doug, Some months back I may have pumped your hit numbers a bit when I read-through the entire archive. These days; just routine. Oh yes! A collective thank you to Mrs. Doug for sharing a bit of your time. Her grace is appreciated. I hope the PV trip os smooth. I'm thinking a turn, but a lay would be nice at this time of year. The best...
-Craig
-

getjets said...

now that I am officially off "suicide watch" because my beloved SAINTS lost last weekend, despite the fact that I still have no BOOK!!!! Still waiting on the POTTY POST....so yea...I will go ahead and watch the weather.....How hard can it be to say "IT'S DAMN COLD" anyway.. Maybe an "ALBERTA CLIPPER" , just what it takes to get me the hard copy....lol ^j^ Falcons have got to lose tonite!!!!!!! hate those dirty birds....not that anybody is asking....Go Green Bay!!!! So I am watching my alerts, hoping the A-380 flights from Melbourne resume tomorrow to LAX..gotta catch that on the live cam!!! Safe Flight Captain(sure you wrote a book) ha ha ^j^

From the Flight Deck said...

Getjets. Patience is a virtue. Good things come to those that wait. My book will arrive. :)

I'm off to Vegas.

^D^

getjets said...

and i want to say thanx to your pal, Cedarglen (Mr Craig) for the honorable mention on the 'streaks' pic! ^j^

From the Flight Deck said...

Getjets

I'm certain Craig is watching. Thanks for all your spunky comments. Captain Doug :)

getjets said...

fine then...i'll be patient..can anybody say "REDHEADED STEP CHILD"...^J^ I just love regressing

From the Flight Deck said...

getjets. "Redheaded step child?" Maybe you are on the wrong blog. LOL

getjets said...

I'll wait a year for your BOOK, if you can guarantee the disgusting atlanta falcons lose tonite!!!!!!! you are going to vegas after all. not sure that makes sense. yea i know, stick to aviation....doesn't hurt to ask... gotta love us 'aviation trash'.^j^

From the Flight Deck said...

Getjets

"Aviation trash" not here on my blog. It's all above board. :)

Yup, off to Vegas...and back.

Then I teach weather to the Air Canada new hires on Monday. Apparently there are 16 in the class.

Captain Doug

getjets said...

Redheaded stepchild..as in i feel like, i may be being treated like one!!! 6-8 month delivery of before mentioned book...your pal misstwa

From the Flight Deck said...

Getjets

You should have ordered it direct from me. I would have signed it and mailed it directly. :)

Next time!

Good night.

getjets said...

'aviation trash'... translation....term used to show affection. If taken otherwise....." I stand corrected" and good nite Captain

Cedarglen said...

Capt. Doug and getjets: Yup, lurking at times. This place is well known for A++ quality pix!
Doug-hope the weather class is fun (right after -I thought PV, but understand LV - and does it matter?) a long turn around. I hope that 16 new bodies pay attention.
-Craig

Cedarglen said...

New Question for The Driver:
Your regular readers are well aware that you are also a qualified weather guy. I know a major line pilot who is a physician and another who is a professional opera singer (Talk about two awful schedules!). FAs who are also RNs are common - (it was a requirement in the early days). Many know of the blogging A320 driver with a PhD in English Lit. What OTHER combos have you run into? Talk about multiple talents...

Bryan M said...

Just ordered your book and James Ball's "So You Want to Be a Pilot, Eh?" from amazon! I have some great reading ahead of me and i look forward to it! Can't wait for them to arrive! Thanks for everything Doug!

Bryan

Anonymous said...

Hey, Doug. Are you sure it is LAS and not LAX this time. LOL
As for getjets you got lucky. The Falcons lost but you might be on the lookout next time you are out in a convertable and a certain bird flies over your car. HeHe.
Jim

getjets said...

to anonymous...perhaps we did get lucky, and thanks for the "heads up'(no pun intended)...Saints-falcons hated rivalry goes back long way. if a dirty bird does smack me, up top my head, perhaps a future post---TOILET...OR ALTERNATE ONES...(like alternate airports), and on those days, we all have at times....all you can say is "i feel like I've been shot at and missed...sh!t at and hit"..To you Captain.. your class will be roaring success!!! i must admit i have learned a lot from the good Captain and it is very appreciated, as I always say, he's got a knack for this sorta thing, just as I have a knack for ruffling feathers. certainly i hope no one is offended by some of my remarks..it is all in fun. lets toast to a full 16 of 16 graduates next week!!!!! misstwa over and out

WILLO2D said...

KLAX or KLAS; have a good one. I understand that links to vids on sites such as TWN tend to be put on in batches but I'll keep a weather eye out!

As to early morning German TV "specialist" programming - I could not possibly comment... ...well not here!!

Good luck for the class.

Kind regards / IanH

From the Flight Deck said...

Bryan M. Thanks for ordering my book. James' book is a great read for an upstart pilot. Enjoy the read!

Captain Doug

From the Flight Deck said...

Anon (Jim)

I got it right, it was LAS. :)

During the flights there and back I heard many pilots asking for the latest scores.

I think the controllers were getting a little annoyed. :)

Captain Doug

From the Flight Deck said...

getjets. As far as ruffling feathers...you win! But in a good way. Thanks once again for adding a new dimension to the comments. :)

The class went well today except Captain Doug was 15 minutes late. Toronto was experiencing some good snow showers and because of it,
the major roads turned into parking lots.

Another class of great candidates.

They will all do well!

Captain Doug

From the Flight Deck said...

Ian H. The class went well. I inundated them with tons of meteorology but they were troopers. They even laughed at a few of my jokes. :)

Doug

P.S it was KLAS :)