From the Flight Deck

Those cookies look good! AC's also got the right thing down with cookies in the Maple Leaf lounges, although they too don't help me keep down the calories when I eat them....

Really hoping the flight attendants don't walk out that door. Hate to say it, but we've already moved some upcoming flights next week to UA metal as we can't take any chances on scheduling. I'd prefer to have supported my favorite carrier but in events like these, the options aren't great and the feelings aren't warm....

Question along those lines- what happens to an aircraft and crew that, for example, operates a flight to Europe on Tuesday, and is scheduled to operate back on Wednesday- the day the strike is set to begin? Would the flight crew operate an empty aircraft back across the pond, with or without the FAs in the back, or would the entire crew still operate that flight in the interest of getting themselves, the pax, and the aircraft home and then join the picket lines? Seems like a complex situation for everyone involved to say the least.

Hey Captain Doug,

Sorry, just catching up on some of your more recent posts. I have been really busy the past couple of weeks, and I haven't been able to keep up to date as much as I'd like.

I was actually at CYYC spotting on Sept. 11 in the morning. I might have watched you land. Quick question for you; do most pilots try to book off 9/11 or do most not really care?

Thanks, and keep up the posting spree going! :)

Hahaha, cookies at FL360 without calories... =P

Haha nice, I'm one step closer to that life cuz I just passed my Private pilots flight exam!! :)

"Price of getting bare minimum pilot qualifications...about $60,000 to $75,000.
Salary you will make on your first job...about $15,000 to $20,000."

Before I started reading aviation blogs, I always assumed that even entry level F/O positions paid well. I was shocked and a little frightened when I learned the truth. The jobs that pilots and co-pilots do require advanced technical skill and licensing, and in other industries such qualifications usually come at more of a premium.

It has been a real eye opener reading the blogs of commercial pilots. Your jobs are actually quite a bit different than what I imagined, but at the end of the day you guys and gals are fantastic at getting us to where we want to go. :)

Hey Captain,

Nice to see you haven't forgotten your steps in the ladder to flying. All that money spent of flying only to be told by your first employer "sorry son, you'll be making minimum wage and only when your flying." :(

They know new pilots are desperate and will even fly for food. I like food so thats fine with me. LOL.

Your living the dream and from these blogs I see is a very exciting career and I'm motivated even more every time I read it.

Thanks and I'm with Jack, keep the posting marathon going. :)

Captain Doug, a quick question for you if you don't mind:

I always thought in the past that during taxi, there was a rule that the cabin windows had to be open so that:

1) other aircraft on the taxi / runway can be seen

2) In case of evacuation, the situation outside of the exits is visible

However, on my last flight, lots of people had their windows closed during taxi in SRQ. I was in the exit row and felt I had safety responsibilities, so I asked the F/A about this and she said that there was no rule about windows. I was curious if there are actually any company or government rules regarding widows during taxi? Thanks!

I'm wondering, what is the maximum ceiling of the A320? I am having trouble climbing my sim A320 with 70% load to FL340...

Unfortunately, because I wanted to merge a few different addons on FS2004 together to make one A320 (China Eastern), my autoland approach button and LOC are tango uniform, making every single landing manual.

In real life, could you TO/GA an A320 without autoland for ACA? What would be the MELs if you could?

Hi Henry
Wikipedia states that the service ceiling of an A320 is 39,000ft. Maybe you'll have to burn more fuel to get there!?
Bas

YYZ-PHX Thursday morning for me...hope the F/A contract is resolved by then :-(

Hi Bas,

I just figured out. Apparently, something was wrong with my aircraft.cfg file on flightsim, something to do with the weights. I increased the thrusts and now I'm hopping along at FL340 with my tank half full!

on my last leg today China Eastern (CES 293) from Shanghai Pudong (ZSPD) to Hiroshima (RJOA), can you believe I've been on this flight for 4 times this year and 7 times within a year (counting from last year this time)!

My sim legs for today are
CES294 RJOA-->ZSPD-->ZUUU
CES293 ZUUU-->ZSPD-->RJOA

Because I was running short of time, my last turnaround at ZSPD lasted for only 10 minutes!

Christer. I fully understand about making other arrangements. One should always have Plan B.

I did a tour of flight dispatch on Friday with some student pilots and the head dispatcher mentioned that very thing...what to do with 200 airplanes.
Logistically it's a nightmare when they are scattered around the world. And you just can't set the park brake and lock the door on these aircraft {for one thing there are no locks :))) }
They have to be maintained. I suspect some employees will be stranded and others will do okay. Remember you are shutting down one of the biggest modes of transportation in Canada. Before I say something too political....I'll stop here.

Jack

I don't know of anyone specifically who booked off. I suspect some pilots did bid to have it off in their schedule.

Besides the reposition flight back to Toronto it was just a normal flying day for me.

I flew FIN 237 out of YYC on 9/11. Did you get a pic?

We were to take off on 34 but they switched us to 28.

Brett. That's fantastic! Yup, you are one step closer. :)))

Clinton.

Thanks for the support! Whenever the media looks at salaries they go to the top of the scale.

And at one time skippers on B747s were making incredible dollars.

I'm not saying the good salary is gone, but it takes a heck of a long time to get there.

And it's not just the salary that makes flying for a living unique, exciting and rewarding it's the many perks....like cookies and ice cream. :)))

Cheescake.

I think I am very appreciative as to what I achieved. But when you talk to some...the sky is falling and that's not a good thing when you are flying in it. LOL

I agree, employers know pilots are a rare breed and they capitalize on their traits. It's a fact of life. But if you realize it's the game played and play by the rules it will all work out. I know, easier said than done.. especially when I'm seating left seat eating cookies and ice cream. :)

As far as posting... I will probably continue until "number one" says that is enough or when my company comes knocking.... :)))

Clinton from SRQ

I thought the very thing... blinds had to be up for landing and take off. When I was doing a walk around yesterday I noticed a few blinds in the closed position. I thought it to be odd.
In fact, while deadheading a couple of years ago a flight attendant curtly told me to raise my blind for landing. :)

I asked a crew bus of flight attendants late last night and they said the only blinds that must be up are over the emergency exits.

I guess they changed things?!?

Cabin lights must be still dimmed for take and landing though.

Henry J.... simming and studying at the same time. You'll make a good pilot. LOL

Hi Doug,

That's just crazy about the starting salary for new pilots! What an industry!

I hope the strike gets settled rather quickly for everyone's sake!

Take care,

Heather

Henry J.

I see Bas answered you correctly... maximum ceiling is 39,000 feet. Maybe that's why one captain flying an airbus in the States calls his blog Flight Level 390? :))))

But maximum altitude is dependent mostly on weight. While flying eastbound across Canada last night we could only get up to FL 350 then
after a couple of hours we were light enough to get up to FL 370. For the large A340 I used to fly, it would sometimes take six hours to be light enough
to get to cruising altitude.

Not sure if I understand your question about TOGA? One can certainly go TOGA without the autopilot.

Bas. Thanks for answering Henry's query. Well done. :)))

Whywhyzed. Fingers crossed. :))))))))

Off to see Scottsdale, Arizona again?

Heather. I believe the first officer in the Colgan crash over Buffalo was making less than that. :(((

Yes, I hope the strike never materializes. No one wins with a strike.

I'll be visiting your neck of the woods during the wee hours of the night later today...

Take care...

Captain Doug,

Terry Fox.....Lovely tribute!!!!!!...and for you to post!!!!

dying so young....no rhymn, no reason.....with circumstances.....

and I just can't stand to hear one more time...

"OH well........... GOD, THE LORD........WELL,,,, HE NEEDED, ANOTHER ANGEL IN HEAVEN"....


SICKENING....
Terry Fox is an angel....and died probably very graciously....!!!!!but let us not forget the POWER of the WILL to live.......as well!!!!
doncha just love when Life is good, course it does take hard work.....still no guarentee....for anything....yea I work hard to be miserable.....sound like some stupid shit Dr. ILL would say....actually may make a little sense....


we're born(i believe) the fact that LIFE....will be fair, good, and may end up being your worst nightmare.,,,,and very "HELL" on earth or the BLESSING OF A LIFETIME"...either......................in the end... called LIFE....so no peeking around the corner....and just worry about nose in front yo face....MMMMMM

worry about the next 5 minutes....guess what the next 5 minutes will follow (kinda like Auto Pilot).... and so forth....OK OK OK
"Physco" class over....yea and it's not like I follow that crap...LOL...i'm always on the bubble.....being positive doesn't always pay much......don't take score.....but keep your 'back bone' straight...own your mistakes....and shortfalls....
speaking of blessings.....Captain you sure do eat a lot of Oatmeal, rasin cookies.......!!!!!!!
1 word comes to mind...."REGULAR"

OHHHHHHHH

since I'm not eating Crow.....Saints kicked DA bears.....oh poor babies)...ok no gloat policy....


I'll take a couple of those Oatmeal Rasin pancake lookin thingie's..cookies.......too....we all could use a little help....Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

big smile.....yes even the 'Taj Mahal(sp) had to put a hole in the ground.....lovely thought...

so....what size tire do they chain to the "rest room" key over there...kidding ...wouldn't want it stolen...ha ha

I am so glad St. John's was spared by the storm.....another example of oooops Thats Life!!!!!!

do take care everyone and a HUGE CONGRATS out to Brett Wingerter for passing your private pilot's exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

misstwa

Getjets.

Terry Fox had many wise sayings for a young man. I guess that's what staring at death makes you do....

And yes I'm regular...I mean eating cookies. :) Today when flying back to Vancouver I'll be offered the choice again...hopefully. But sometimes F/As think we wouldn't want these high caloric temptations and don't offer. :(

Decisions. LOL. My f/o is demonstrating incredible will power. He has yet to succumb to temptation. :)))

Glad your football team won. I would hate to see your comments if they didn't.

Gone flying... yet again... :)

Hello all,

In response to Henry and Bas (brilliant blog by the way Bas!)

I know max altitude is dependent on gross weight, that's how I came across this blog - looking for altitude performance tables, how sad/grateful am I?? How do you establish your performance Capt. D? I'm guessing you rely on the fmc (Flight Management Computer) which tells you the envelope within you should be flying? That's certainly the case with the virtual 767 I fly, or does your dispatcher or atc have a say? Personally, I check the performance parameters of the fmc and ask the virtual atc for my optimum altitude, it gives me a minimum and maximum altitude based on my weight.

Henry, does your virtual aircraft utilize the fmc??

Nice to see a fellow simmer contributing this great blog and fantastic picture by the way!!

Regards to all

Dave from the UK

Hey Captain Doug,

I think I remember an A319 landing on 28. Sadly, I don't usually take pictures.

Let me know if you are coming to Calgary on a Sunday morning and I'll probably be there, able to take pictures!

Hi Captain Doug,

Let me rephrase my question. I was trying to use too much jargon that I messed up the meaning... Are you allowed to take off with autoland tango uniform?

About the flight levels, I guess that's the step-climb technique I have been using on VATSIM on my longer flights. My question is what flight level would you file on your flightplan? Your initial climb altitude or your final step-climb altitude?

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your comment!

My FS2004 planes have an FMC. I don't really like the MCDU on the A320, I prefer the FMC's on the 767 or 777, sometimes when I turn around, I think it is the FS software but I just can't get the takeoff weights on my MCDU. I love programming the FMCs, every time I am doing math at school using a calculator, I feel like I am programming an FMC (I'm using a Texas Instrument TI-84+, LOL)

Henry

Sorry for posting three posts in the same time but I just saw Clinton's post. Interesting enough, the other airline I sim for, All Nippon Airlines (I am flying VHHH-RJTT now at the moment), keeps all lights ON. WOW! It was completely bright when we took off. I was quite surprised!

Hi Henry.

Autoland has nothing to do with the take off. If you are asking if we can take off with the autopilot, the answer is "no." No airliner in the world (to be my knowledge) takes off automatically. The pilot has to do something. :))))

All flight levels are filed with ATC. The flight level is chosen based on weight, winds, direction of flight, temperature, where the tropopause is, MEL constraints,traffic, turbulence, etc. Sometimes our flight plan tells us to descend for optimum performance. :)

Hi Jack.

I'm presently in Calgary now. I hope my flight back to Toronto this afternoon departs on time with the labour unrest.

It's been four days on the road and it's time for laundry. :))))

I wouldn't worry to much about the Flight Attendants as they will be legislated back to work by the government.

How's things going anyways?

(Turns out it wasn't wood in my foot, just an infection -.-)

Daniel. Glad to hear things were better in the "foot" department.

About to head east for Toronto sneaking under the radar for tonight's deadline.

Captain Doug Quote,....


No airliner in the world (to be my knowledge) takes off automatically. The pilot has to do something. :))))WELL.................. WHAT A RELIEF!!!!

All flight levels are filed with ATC. The flight level is chosen based on weight, winds, direction of flight, temperature, where the tropopause is, MEL constraints,traffic, turbulence, etc. Sometimes our flight plan tells us to descend for optimum performance. :)

NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OATMEAL SUGAR CHOCO CHIP MANGO NUT PRUNE COOKIES ON BOARD LOADING DOWN THE PLANE....LOL....

YOU DID SAY....CAPTAIN...TO KEEP MY COMMENTS MORE ON THE POSITIVE...LOL(HOPE)
AND THE FLIGHT PLANS OF THOSE SPHERE'S....WHO FILES THOSE....

and it was you that said..."cookie's have no calories at flightlevel 350!!!!! ha ha


and what kinda ice-cream...goes with those...is it the Napoleon...?????
ya know the 3 color...Napoleon....bet you eat all the choc and vanillie...


and leave some sucker like Me to have to eat the fake Strawberry side..........LOL...how many barrels of that...IN THE GALLEY...;))))))))))))))))))
I hope your smiling now...

SERIOUS...

and I know this possible strike is a serious situation....but just trying to put a smile....so NO Fussing me...

forgive me...I was on a barrel roll or is a dutch roll....

HEY SAFE TRIP CAPTAIN TO THE TORONTO.....

just trying to ease the tension....I hope a resolution soon, nothing worse than the not knowing......



and do your laundry....STAT!!!!!!!!

Daniel...so glad you tootie(foot) is better...infection is nothing to mess with.....

some might think Captain D's blog has a virus....and it's name is "getjets" and your dead....lol

Getjets.

Good news. Apparently the flight attendants reached a tentative agreement!!!! Everyone can breath. SIGH!

Had the offer of cookies and ice cream yet again last night. I first went with ice cream only. Gotta keep changing that batting order, but as soon as the flight attendant was leaving I resorted back to oatmeal and raison. But last night they were dry. :(
Gotta get off these transcon flights.... it's killing my waistline. FYI the ice cream is boring vanilla.

Now that's a good name for a computer virus... instead of Trojan Horse, etc why not Getjets? Just kidding. I hope YOU are smiling.

Gone flying. My last cookies and ice cream run for a couple of days. Phew...

Nothing wrong with "plain old vanilla", Doug, though Rum 'n' Raisin with caramel chips is a good one... and pistachio... not forgetting raspberry ripple... I saw a recipe for coffee ice-cream made with double espresso a little while ago. :o)

As regards the "action" - keep calm, and carry on.

Cheers / Foggy

Dave W - got your e-mail - reply being sorted. Next Tuesday/Thursday.

HOLY MOLY....Daniel...I meant toot"s"ie, not tootie...just sounded so tootie...wait there's an ice-cream called "Captain "tootie" frutie"....yea, every time you eat it....you put your tootie(foot) in your mouth.....thats a big joke....
but not at my expense.....maybe thats why it was so fun to type....

WHO KNEW............


HELLO FOGGY.....NOW I HAVE A REAL SWEET TOOTH AFTER READING YOUR COMMENT!!!!!!but the only way I'll eat the rum and raisin ice-cream...is if I can put my own rum....ha ha....and has the 5 basic food groups...:))))))

RUM AND RAISIN.....with CARAMEL...AND WHIP CREAM, AND THOSE CHERRY THINGIE'S, AND CHOCO SYRUP....NUTS, ON THE ROCKS....

good nite....and the good Captain...you should not worry bout your waist line.......

but watch out for that 'getjets' virus....make ya FAT.....!!!!

miss(so glad the Captain is probably close to being in the air)twa
SERIOUS...

so this afternoon, listening to JFK....guess what....

Heard Air Force One land....and as hard as it is for me....I can't hold the jet responsible for it's contents.....

Air Force One fixing to land at JFK...Controller to Air Force One....

"CHECK AIR FORCE ONE...REDUCE FINAL SPEED"
"AIR FORCE ONE TURN HIGH SPEED RIGHT"
"FOLLOW VEHICLE WITH LIGHTS"


I missed a lot that was said...but it was cool, and explained the higher than usual tension there.....
OK OK...YA HAD TO OF BEEN THERE......JEEZ....




so glad the strike has been averted.....playing chicken isn't fun....

So right now Air Force One just "LINED UP AND WAIT"....NOW THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!!!

LOL

SERIOUS...LINE YO A UP AND WAIT

just cleared for take-off at 17:59...the pilot with a heavy accent....

CONTROLLER...."Turn left, breazy point climb, contact departure....

AIR FORCE ONE...made me split my comment...if ...Captain Doug, you will look at my avatar now....this was what I thought I might have to resort to playing with!!!! if the real jets not in the Air....



and Christer....."UA metal"... thats a new one on me.....
just so educational here....ha ha....

miss(blah blah blah)twa

The salary thing is quite amazing isn't it? Knew a F/O at Horizon air who got laid off and realized she'd make more money coming back as a "rampie" loading luggage than as a F/O. But, of course, being a pilot was in her blood.

Hey Captain Doug,
Whle you are eating your Coookies at FL 360 i will be eating mine at home watching the FIrst Winnipeg Jets game in 15 years!!! lol
(Jets are Winning 3-1 aggainst the Blue Jackets!)
Go Jets GO!!!
Thanks,

Safe Flying,
The Happy Winnipeger,
Adam

Hi Captain Doug,

Thank you very much! Sorry, I think I will rephrase the question about autoland again.

Does Air Canada allow you to fly
without autoland? Or will they take the bird for repairs and swap another aircraft?

I know of course you can't take off with autopilot but you can take off with autothrottle if I'm correct (I guess it is required to arm autothrottle for Boeings)...

cute avatar, Julie...I have two AC playsets at home.

wanna play?

you can go get him "a damn cookie, already!" ;)

@ Anon.....LOL....yea lets play....ha ha

but does your Air Canada play set, come with the 'dried up Oatmeal cookie DELIVERY TRUCK????????????????:)))))))))))

how is dispatch gonna measure the proper "Cookie to Stomach RATIO" before being cleared to take off.....(smiling I hope)

@ Adam AKA The "WINNIPEGER"....that has got to be the BEST "Sports" Avatar I ever seen....I blew it up....and got a good look at it.....just makes ya 'slap happy' when ya winning a game!!!!!!!!

now of course you do realize (I got ya beat with the Aviation avatars... ha ha)

THATS THE BEST...!!!!!!!!!!

GO JETS!!!!

GO SAINTS!!!!!!we kicked the bears fuzzy bummms on Sunday....

"PANTS ON THE GROUND...PANTS ON THE GROUND....CUTLER AND HIS PANTS ON THE GROUND...."

Getjets- lol!

I'll be down in your area in a couple of weeks, but flying to MSY on "US metal":)

Will also be flying over your head on the way to IAH from the east coast tomorrow on "CO metal". There's a couple more new ones for ya:)

Hi Doug - Here's a topic some of your readers might enjoy knowing about. AC flies a 319 on the YYT-LHR-YYT routing .. do you ever bid that? Or is it a select pool for that mission - I've not seen you write about it .. other than AC, just BA with a 318 and Privatair with a 319 and 737 regularly cross as scheduled flights I think.

Cheers
Chris

Doug, I remember discussing this on the blog months ago, now it has finally begun. Jazz liveries being converted to AC Express.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-Canada-Express/Canadair-CL-600-2D15-Regional/1985704/L/

I love AC's paint (except for my photos, because it's a bit of a pain to get correct every time), but I'll take Jazz any day over that.

Craig M

@ Christer...will this be your first trip to the MSY????
I am not trying to get in your business.....but if you and or family would like to meet....


and I know that these sorts of questions can be of a sensative nature and a touchy subject....so just consider an open invitation....for a hello.:)))

and no more has to be said!


and my wishes for your up coming trip and others to be nothing but SAFE, Enjoyable, and Fruitful(if business)!!!!

Now the "US" metal.....they park their planes right close to Airline Highway(rd. that runs along N.O. airport)...and easy to see from that road....
and your "CO" at the IAH.....zillions of em....LOL

Safe trips:)


and a shout out to Dave W...from the Beautiful UK....you have the most Unhealthy Passion for Aviation.....lol
Ain't it great!!!!!!!
Hope you are well!!!

misstwa

GetJets,

Thanks, it felt better after a few antibiotic's. Definitely something I don't want to feel again haha.

Doug,

Seems like a lot of people got lucky with the announcement of a tentative deal. Things should run pretty smooth.... until the next contract negotiation.

Thanks for the wishes Getjets, and the offer to meet up- I'll send you a pm later on next week or so and we'll see if it can work out. It is my first time flying to MSY, and I've been hired to play for a private gig about an hour and a bit outside of town. May have a bit of time before heading home though, so I'll let you know how it shapes up!

You're right about IAH- zillions of CO tails with the odd sprinkle of another carrier here and there. If you're listening to ATC tomorrow, look out for CO flight 1529- scheduled to be an old 737-500 steamer, over your area likely around 17:30 or so (if on time:))

Sorry to take over your blog here Doug- promise it'll stop:)!!! I hope you're enjoying some time off of work. And now, back to your regular programming....

Christer, Getjets, Daniel,Anon et al. I think it's great you guys can chat on my blog. It doesn't cost anything. :)))

I'm off today and then another long mission tomorrow. More "transcon" stuff i.e more "cookies and ice cream" flights.

But last night I totally abstained. The F/O brought out body building and fitness magazines. That was enough to keep the cookies at bay. LOL

hmmm....that's an interesting thought...a chat section on your blog. Ha ha...Oh the work that WOULDN'T get done all day. :))

Yes, Julie...my play set has that delivery truck. The planes also have huge overhead bins to store those...how do you say it?...UGLY A$$ HATS?! some pilots have.

And I have a truck that delivers new watch leather bands for pilots who get too excited with the scissors.

You are bad! See how you rub off on us? xo

And...may I just say...Chris St Clair?! :) I have a crush on him. LOL

Cool pic of the day....I think I'd love that job....looks much like my control center :)

I wanted to tell you Captain Doug,COOL pic of the day....with that bad ole Irene...threatening our ST.John's!!!!!

CAT III....I would just love a pic of your office(control center!!!!!!)....and be able to see all the planes...may even rate as a 'felt like I died and gone to Heaven' moment....

Cap...whatcha gonna do tomorrow when your back on the "transcon".....and the cookie monster comes wazzoooing in your cockpit....I know of a really good 12 step program....ha ha....

yea it doesn't cost anything to chat here....except my dignity at times....whats matter...can't chew cookie and type....I'm Funnin Captain!!!!!! It is generous of you.......I would probably pay to humiliate myself...not like the whole world will see and read......;))))))))

If you don't hurry up and put a new post....my "SCROLL" finger will need a titanium plate to match the one in my wrist....LOL

@ Christer....so this private gig....an hour or so out of N.O....I live bout that far away from New Orleans......you must say where your gig is(or when you send your message next wk...) well I hope things work out...I would love to go and hear for myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and tomorrow....I will be listening and watching my "flighaware"....around the 17:30(assume central time) ish time...fo sho!!!..you'll be hugging the coast.....like all the IAH jets do(seems) ....but I can still see ya from my "jet spotting swing in my back yard, with my trusty binoculars...and glass of wine of course....

@ Anon....LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bad enough they have to remove the 'nose cones' on those A-320's to get that Ugly Azz black felt appendage stored proper like....for those a

(refresher course available at 1-900-how fast can you run away...lol)to get a good look at the 2-seater Hat...and the person it was stuck to.....
does it use it's own 'frequent flyer miles....???
ah never mind......

I'll be in "Time Out" a while after the Captain reads my rant...
so see ya'll later.....

bad ole misstwa
Don't you be mad at me Captain Doug!!!!!!
remember...you could learn a lot from a dummy!!!!!!

Getjets. No "time out" is needed. You have something to say and boy you can say it!

Now be good because I may even post twice tonight. :)))

Yeah, I know...I'm teasing the customers....

Adam the Winnipeger. I hope the "jets" have a good season. I assume we will be flying them around on the JETZ charters.

Henry J. We don't need autoland i.e we don't need CAT III DUAL.

We don't even need autothrust for take off.

I recently flew a flight where I had to adjust the thrust levers. I haven't done that in years. In fact, I may have blogged about it.

Captain D loves his automation.

Hi Chris.

The routing to London, Heathrow on the A319 is only flown by Winnipeg based pilots. They must all be ETOPS (Extended Twin Engine Operations) qualified. Another acronym for ETOPS is Engines Turning Or Passengers Swimming. :)))) The Montreal based pilots did the flying for one year, but it looks like the YWG boys and girls will keep it.

Rumour has it our "teal" coloured competition was going to fly overseas with their B737s but "no joy."
They did fly to Hawaii.

And I think my ETOPS qualifications expired.
Next time I go across the pond will be in a B767. And I love their array of beverages over there.

Yes, I miss it!

Craig M. Thanks for the pic. Things are a changing....

@ Craig M.....saw the pic with tail #C-GOJZ (i believe that's the tail #)

Captain (I "HEART" AUTOMATION)
Doug,

now your the TEASE...gotta love it!!!!!
please hurry...do you know how expensive physical therapy is on a single finger Is ????????????????
LOL

not to mention I can't be "AH GOOD" for too long a stint here....
so don't push it....LOLOLOLOL

on pins and needles....Okkkkkkk

CAT III approach. I think you would enjoy that job immensely. Always putting out fires and adapting on the fly. Dynamic to say the least. :))

Getjets. I'm glad someone (you) out there enjoys my posts. And I hope you aren't teasing me and then going to another pilot's blog. LOL

Oh, okay! Yes! I read the blog post about the autothrust going Tango Uniform, but I'm thinking, does the Airbus rely greatly on the autothrust? You use TO/GA mode for takeoff and then you reduce to CLB mode, right? I am always wondering, when do you use MCT?