From the Flight Deck: End of a "virtual week"

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!...

Friday, March 4, 2011

End of a "virtual week"

Turn up the volume for both these clips!!!!

Virtual Air Canada

I had a facebook request yesterday and I asked what airline he flew for after seeing "David" in a pilot uniform. Boy did he open a door!

Welcome to virtual Air Canada!!!

Their website is top notch. Virtual Air Canada

I don't know what to think about the Jazz airplanes but I guess we are one big happy family. (Tim H....looks like your airline has some stiff competition north of the border) LOL

Take a look at their site, who knows some of you may want to join.

This week started off in the virtual sims. Then my interview came along about virtual training. And now "David" introduced me to virtual Air Canada. Plus Captain Doug encountered virtual/real turbulence within his blog.

But tomorrow brings me back to reality with a 5:30 a.m check in. (Anyone going to Florida?) Then I have an interview with a "follower" for a deice article and then it's off to the Wings Parade for the Brampton Flight Centre. Sunday sees me off to Nassau and back and Monday I teach a new hire class. Then Captain Doug has two weeks vacation so I'll be putting my blog into a holding pattern some time next week.

14 comments:

: Daniel said...; Hmm, I used to "fly" for them but they were never active. Infact, the owner, Andrew E is my dads boss ( Hes a CSM at YHZ ).; March 4, 2011 6:58 PM
: From the Flight Deck said...; Daniel. They seem very active now...I think?; March 4, 2011 7:00 PM
: Daniel said...; Eh, Management isn't.; March 4, 2011 7:08 PM
: jack said...; Ya. There were a number of problems like updating the site. I know some people cannot even join because they haven't updated the yyz base for years. They may be active now, but it wasn't the case when i left last year. That being said, many members are very active and are truly nice people. So if you want to join, make sure you select YVR base.; March 4, 2011 7:42 PM
: Adam aka "The Winnipeger" said...; Hey Captain Doug,
Funny you post about this, because I just joined them last night!Happy Flying!

Thanks,
The Winnipeger,
Adam; March 4, 2011 9:44 PM
: David said...; Im glad you really like the site ! its a really good insiration for young futur pilots ! but ya.. that's the only thing. Like Daniel said, they are extremely slow to update the site or to accept new pilots. It took me a good 3 weeks to get accepted in April 2009, but it was worth to wait !; March 4, 2011 10:28 PM
: Martin Beauchemin said...; Back when I joined in 2009, it took them 3 months to accept me. It was crazy! But now I'm happy! I recently got promoted to Senior Captain! I just flew earlier from YYZ-YQB and I'll be on my way to virtual Varedaro Cuba tomorrow!; March 5, 2011 1:29 AM
: matzeBT said...; A big "Hello" from Germany.

One question: is it possible to set up videos without any Sony, EMI,UMG or whatever musik?
I cant watch the videos. The copyrights dont allowing it.

Thx

Matthias; March 5, 2011 2:35 PM
: getjets said...; The thing about "Holding Patterns", you have to come back down to earth eventually,not to mention, I won't have anyone to pick on..... lol so,Capain Doug please don't stay gone too long!!!!!
misstwa(because I really do miss TWA Airlines) ^j^; March 5, 2011 3:25 PM
: getjets said...; OH, and enjoy your well-deserved vacation!!!!; March 5, 2011 3:36 PM
: getjets said...; To Captain Doug and all your followers, I want to wish everyone a Happy "MARDI GRAS"(Fat Tuesday!!!!!Today(Monday)is "LUNDI GRAS"...and I ride tonite, with the crew of CLEOPATRA"...the time of year when you can act ignorant, and it's perfectly OK!!!!so A toast to you Captain Doug and all of your followers...again, HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!!!; March 7, 2011 7:00 AM
: Cedarglen said...; Doug: You are now well past the 160,000 hit mark and have set a new daily record of ?907. Congratulations!! Current comments suggest that you are busy with other tasks and preparing for some vacation time. With it will be tough, but we will wait for your return. If only in honor of the wife and family, it is perfectly OK to go mute while your are on vacation. It is family time and they do come first. Best wishes.
-Craig; March 7, 2011 11:36 AM
: From the Flight Deck said...; Cedarglen (Craig) Yes, it's time to step back and take some vacation. The blog can be very addicting.

It's time to appreciate the things I have and the things I can't change.

Thanks for checking in!

Captain Doug; March 7, 2011 9:52 PM
: From the Flight Deck said...; Hi Getjets. By the time you read this you will be well into the Mardi Gras mode.

When are you going to be inviting Canadians to the festivities?

And a toast to YOU!

I see you changed your avatar. How angelic! :)))))
Is that you???? ha ha

^D^; March 7, 2011 10:03 PM

Here are a few websites to buy my book:

1. Amazon.ca

2. Amazon.com

3. Aviation World

4. Barnes and Noble

5. Wings Magazine (Bookstore)

6. Amazon.co.uk

7. Amazon.co.jp (Japan)

Or if you want a signed copy, email to get my address to send a cheque. I charge $25 Canadian (taxes and delivery included) anywhere in North America. Outside of North America? Let's talk.

[email protected]

Have an aviation question? Email me!

Feedback

Received Friday the 13th.... :)

I have been following your From the Flight Deck blog ever since I discovered it. I absolutely love it! I find myself checking it every couple of days hoping for more to read! I also just finished reading your amazing book. I love the insights, humour, interesting stories, and the countless interesting facts about the aircraft. The book really opened my eyes with how many different departments are involved with a flight - from maintence to flight dispatch, it's unbelievable. You have truly opened the door of the flight deck for everyone!

Even more recent feedback:

Hi Doug,

I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your book. Even my wife is reading it!

My in-laws were sitting at a table next to you in a Williams Coffee shop (I think on Dundas Street in Mississauga) a few weeks ago, and someone was getting you to autograph your book. They noticed it was about flying, and since I am a pilot (private) they decided to find the book and bought me a copy.

................... (edited)

Anyway, I’m going through your blog now …well done!

Recent Feedback.....

From Australia

This email came all the way from Australia today (Jan.14th)

Doug
Just like to a small moment of your time to thank you for the great blog. I'm a student pilot completing my training here in Perth, Western Australia. A great inspiration to keep going. Thank you and take care.

Some nice feedback....

Some feedback... I must send this to Air Canada...:))))

Captain Doug,

Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed your book and enjoy your blog. Despite being an engineer who specialises in turbines (or perhaps because!) I've always been something of a nervous flyer and finding out more about the care and attention to detail that is paid to flying inday to day operations has helped a great deal.

Thanks very much for sharing your expertise and enthusiasm for your profession. I teach engineering at a University in the North of England and don't get to Canada very often but I will be flying to Vancouver from London for a conference in June - so of course I picked Air Canada because of your blog!!

I also highly appreciate the information on weather and airframe icing and de-icing - I'm going to try and use some of these ideas to make my lectures on gas mixtures less boring.

Anyway thanks once again for the blog and good luck with the summer flying.

...and more...

Actually I was organising the travel for five people and we are all going Air Canada from Heathrow to
Vancouver (though curiously all on slightly different dates...) - so your blog actually got Air Canada five tickets!

Airbus A319

As you know I write the caption for the first page of the ALTITUDE section in enRoute.

This is what made the cut...

Airbus A319. The Nose Wheel turns the aircraft on the ground and, unlike the main gear, has no brakes. The silver portion is called the oleo (AKA, shock absorber)

Credits and Disclaimer

I would like to thank Brian Losisto (Air Canada's photographer) for always allowing me to post his pictures. (The above thrust lever pic is his). Then there is Kelly Paterson from Calgary and plane spotter "Erik" from Germany. Of course, I have lots myself.

On that note, if you feel a photo(s) may be in appropriate or the content I post a bit dubious by all means send me an email. I will ratify it! That's all I ask!

[email protected]

Recent feedback from a relatively new follower

...The basic tone of your blog suggests a fellow that not only loves his job, but also takes it very seriously...

You have an important message to share, my friend. You have both the experience and the necessary gifts to do so. When WE watch the hit statistics on your blog, WE recognize that you have an awesome following. I know why. The typos do not matter, beyond you need to maintain the ‘professional hat.’ Since you are so public about your affiliation, it always reflects on AC as well...

For about the nth time, I do enjoy reading your blog posts. I understand most of the details, but nearly always learn something new. Some of the things that set your blog apart from so many others are your (usually) excellent writing. (One can tell when you are rushed or have not proof-read . You are willing to confront potential safety issues and offer reasonable solutions, yet while avoiding serious confrontation and mostly by being nice and polite in every encounter. (Hey, being ‘nice’ is a natural gift for some. In my profession, a lot of it is learned skill. No matter the origin, it is an effective tool in nearly every encounter. It works!)

Feedback

First off, I'm a fan! I've been following your blog for a couple months now and I think you have an amazing talent for writing. Your posts are always captivating and I learn something new almost every time!

My favourite is when you talk about weather patterns and when you give us an inside look on the inner workings of Air Canada operations.

Your posts are all so interesting that I decided to get your book earlier this summer. I went to two different Chapters and a Renault Bray stores here in Montreal but no luck( sold out?). I ended up ordering it on Amazon. Your book was, as expected, very well written and very informative. You managed to make it interesting for aviators and non-aviators alike. I am a pilot too,so reading your book and your blog, I can often relate to stories about sacrifice early in your career, the anguish of getting laid off, having to make career decisions in uncertain times etc etc ...

I also must mention how respectful of a person you seem to be. Your post about "things they don't teach you in flight school" last week was a good reflection of that. I dont remember ever reading something negative about any of your coworkers on your blog. You must be an absolute pleasure to fly with.

I was an FO on a Dash 8 for Air Labrador before they ceased operating last year. We might have flown the same planes? (FXON GLON GAAN are ex AirNova or Air Ontario I think). Before that I was first officer on TwinOtter based in Goose Bay. Good times ... My goal is to get hired with AC! I still have a few hours a build before being eligible thought I think, I'm only up to 2800hours. But if the timing is right in a year or two I really hope to get on!

Meanwhile I'll be reading your posts ;)

Keep up the good work !

Artsy Fartsy Section

Here is something for you Barbara Jean.....

Much water under the bridge has passed... so everything is different

But it doesn't mean anything has changed.....

Captain Doug April 9th, 2011

Choices! You can’t live with them and you

can’t live without them. :))))

Captain D

From Up Here

Everything looks perfect….the intent from the one above.

Yet many senses are deprived.

The sound of hustle and bustle and the din below...muted.

Smells don’t ascend to flight level… so the flowers emblazoning a backyard go unnoticed.

Our sense of touch….worthless.

The smell of spices, the underground doings of a city or a frigid February wind does not exist.

The sounds of toilets flushing, a ferocious dog's bark, the scent and heat of romance ...oblivious.

Yet, a town of insignificance on foot looks pristine from up here.

Things seem to stop.

Death is put on hold, the awakening baby’s cry is unheard and misdoings are just thoughts.

Political boundaries go unnoticed. Religion is just a concept and hatred is erased.

But that’s from up here...aloft from reality…

Captain D

There's no thrill in easy sailing
when the skies are clear and blue.
There's no joy in merely doing
things which anyone can do.

But there is some satisfaction
that is mighty sweet to take,
when you reach a destination
that you thought you'd never make.

...Spirella