Q: How does a pilot navigate on the ground?
Cameron Hammel
Oakville, Ontario
Cameron Hammel
Oakville, Ontario
Taxi instructions require pilots to follow taxiways identified by a single or double letter displayed on those signs you see during taxi. Most instructions require a verbatim “read-back” from the pilot, especially if we are to “hold short” of a runway. Using the phonetic alphabet to identify the letters, a ground controller in Toronto, for example, may tell us to “taxi alpha, turn right onto hotel and hold short of runway 23.” We carry airport diagrams as well – some of the paperwork found in our flight bags – except for when we fly Boeing 777s, which have EFBs (electronic flight bags).
Q: How many flight attendants are required per flight?
Heather Baltzer
Halifax
Heather Baltzer
Halifax
The general rule is one flight attendant per 40 passengers, but there are exceptions. Jazz, for example, requires only one flight attendant aboard the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 100/200 series, while our regional operator, Air Georgian, has no flight attendants on its 19-seat aircraft (the pilots handle things). There may also be a minimum; the 174-seat Airbus A321, which I am also qualified to fly, must depart with at least five flight attendants, regardless of the number of passengers on board, while Air Canada’s Flight 015 to Hong Kong (a Boeing 777) must depart with 14 flight attendants.
Q: Can a pilot be qualified to fly more than one type of aircraft?
Alex Tsang
Sydney, Australia
Alex Tsang
Sydney, Australia
Yes, it is possible for a pilot to be qualified on more than one aircraft, but at Air Canada a pilot flies only one type of aircraft, based on seniority. Extensive training courses (known as “checkouts”) are required to fly other types. Sometimes the course is shortened because of similarities between aircraft types, such as when I transitioned from the “big” Airbus to the “little” Airbus. But for me, the course proved to be especially challenging because I also upgraded from first officer to captain. My next airplane, the Boeing 767, will require two months of solid training. Flight attendants are qualified to fly on all types.
Doug Morris is an Air Canada pilot and captain on the Airbus A320. Got an aviation question? Send it to
26 comments:
wait... is a congratulations in order on the 767?
David. The results won't be out for a few more days, but last time I looked I was more than 300 numbers away.
But the gap is closing! :)))
Lots of new names popping up on my blog, welcome!
Hey Doug,
With a new month comes a New hockey team!!! GO JETS GO!!!
I have never seen Winnipeg go so crazy!!!! Talk about a historic event! I can't remember the last time when there was a street hockey game on Portage and Main! lol
Safe Flying,
Thanks Again!
The Winnipeg Jeter,
Adam
Captain Doug is getting heavier and heavier! :P
Adam the YWGer. Glad to see you guys got an NHL team back. Hopefully, we will be flying them on the JETZ charters. We fly all the other
Canadian NHL teams.
"Hockey Night in Canada lives on in Winnipeg!"
Doug
P.S Like your avatar :)
http://youtu.be/UIu8KRZZ7ok
little afternoon snack:)
Thanks Getjets. Lots of AC shots and Bas will be happy to see KLM's MD-11.
Doug,
Have you ever heard of/seen one of Just Planes videos? It looks like they just released another cockpit video with Air Canada, this time in the E190. http://www.worldairroutes.com/Welcome.html
Just from reading your blog for so long now, I've been hoping they'd do Air Canada in the A320 series. Oh well, hopefully sometime in the future.
- Craig M
Craig. I indeed heard of Just Planes videos. I was in contact with them to possibly do a 320 series, but they unfortunately don't pick the pilots.
The chief pilot, fleet manager, fleet specialist or whatever name they use nowadays picks the pilot. I'm not in management so, "no joy."
Everything works out for a reason. :)
Hey Thanks Julie :) That was a cool video! KLM MD-11 named 'Audrey Hepburn'. I actually spotted that plane at Schiphol a couple of weeks ago!
Captain Doug,
I think it will be funny when you see an Air Canada Jetz land and out come the Winnipeg Jets! lol
Acording to the True North Entertainment, they need to sell 13,000 season tickets.So far the Manitoba Moose ticket holders get first grabs and 4-8 groups got to buy there share. They have sold 4170 season tickets!!! They go on sale on Saturday to the public!! It is going to be nuts!!!
I forgot to say,
Thanks,
The Winnipeger,
Adam
This is a projected three engined version of the 747SP. It was not taken up, but perhaps it would have been a good thing. The thinking behind the three engines was that for such a (relatively) small plane, only three of the big turbo-fans would be needed. They of course ended up still using four.
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/jtheriot/
Desktop/Bill%20Sherwood's%20Aviation%20Page%20-%203_files/tri_747.jpg
history...Not made
I remember a few months ago one the posters on your blog, whywhyed, mentioned about being on an E-190 flight from DCA-YYZ and observing a video being filmed in the cocpit. Now this Just Planes production is released and there is no DCA-YYZ flight on it. Curious? I wonder if there was some reason for that or do they film extra flights that do not make the cut?
Adam. Sounds like Winnipeg is in a frenzy. :)
Jetz picking up the Jets. I like it!
:)
Getjets. Sorry, I can't open the file. Looks like it's from your personal stash. :)
Jim. I believe it's coming. One was made for the Embraer and the other, the A320.
According to my sources from Just Planes, but they told me to keep it hush, hush. Ooops.
Hey Doug,
I thought you and all the fellow bloggers would like to know this.
13,000 Season Tickets for the Winnipeg Jets Sold out in 17 minutes!! I have never seen something like that in my life!!
Safe Flying,
Thanks,
The WInnipeger,
Adam
Hey Adam.....GO GETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
getjets,
I couldn't agree with you more!
GO JETS GO!!!
Adam, it is wierd that the reason for them leaving Atlanta is lack of ticket sales yet they sale out so fast in Winnepeg. Obviously they will do well there and I wish them and Winnepeg a lot of good luck.
Adam, Getjets, Jim.
So now we have the Winnipeg Jets, JETZ charters, Getjets and I fly jets.
Yes, go Jets/Jetz/Getjets go!
Congratulations Doug!
Last jet I flew on from LAX was a 717, something or other. I remember how it felt like being launched from catapult on our takeoff. Loved it, but I wonder about this 767. Is it considered a long haul aircraft and how does the 717 figure in short range aircraft compared to 767,777 etc. Also, any quirks of the aircraft, to consider in this transition?
"Q: How does a pilot navigate on the ground?
Cameron Hammel
Oakville, Ontario"
Depends on what the pilot can see and hear. Hear--if the BFF is co-pilot, then auditory acuity is more important....sorry...ha
Lakotahope.
The B767 is considered long haul especially since we have the 300 series only.
Quirks? It's getting a little long in the tooth as far as technology but I'll still take it.
Hi Doug - Always great to have you as a guest on The Weather Network - here is the link to one of several pieces we have prepared from your visit .. more to come in thenext week or so ...http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/storm_watch_stories3&stormfile=flying_in_thunderstorms_120611?ref=ccbox_weather_topstories
Cheers - Chris
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