The great big "ask an airline pilot" thread!

pclancy · 31-08-2013 10:20AM

Please just questions from anyone and answers from pilots relating to the topic of "Ask an Airline Pilot"

Cheers

Kencollins · 31-08-2013 04:21PM

Hi all,

Im am an ATCO in Shannon and I have a question for the transatlantic pilots.

When we hand you of to EGGX at 15W and issue a frequency like 127.9 do you disregard this totally if you are using FANS/CPDLC or do you still check in by voice first?

Ken

Suasdaguna1 · 31-08-2013 05:53PM

Kencollins wrote: »

Hi all,

Im am an ATCO in Shannon and I have a question for the transatlantic pilots.

When we hand you of to EGGX at 15W and issue a frequency like 127.9 do you disregard this totally if you are using FANS/CPDLC or do you still check in by voice first?

Ken

Ken I thought you'd know this one. NO we don't disregard.....127.9 is Shanwick VHF and we check in saying "xxx123 CPDLC, track B , Gander next, standing by HF assignment." They come back with Shanwick HF freqs and Gander HF frees who we contact at 30w. In the meantime we get a selcal from Shanwick on HF, put VHF1 on 121.5 and VHF2 on 123.45. 30mins inside oceanic entry we recycle our squawk to 2000.

Prior to oceanic we will know from our DCDU I think they call it whether we have a lock on with EGGX re CPDLC and like an ADS connection. At 30W it disconnects auto from Shanwick and connects to Gander oceanic....well that's the plan!. TBH it's the best bit of kit ever and saves all the bullish!t of HF calls for mundane position reports. Also especially routing on Southerly latitudes in the mid Atlantic, HF reports can be a curse with skip distance, attenuation, blank spots etc......

Kencollins · 31-08-2013 06:03PM

us ATCOs don't know everything!

So even if you are CPDLC or ADS, you still check in by voice first?

If you are connected to EISN CPDLC the next data authority message gets sent before transfer, and as you say, all going well it will auto log on to EGGX.

I don't know where I got it from but I had always thought the voice report at 15W would be removed if CPDLC was in place.

basill · 31-08-2013 08:08PM

The VHF call is another part of the system to try and prevent a gross navigation error on the tracks. By us making the standard call as described above it is hoped that the pilots will do another check to ensure that what is on the clearance is actually in the "box". Also in order to maintain a selcal watch and to not listen into HF for the entire crossing we must get a selcal check. This becomes critical should we need to declare a pan or mayday on the tracks as the initial action is to send the distress or urgency via cpdlc but you will be selcalled pretty quick smart by gander, shanwick, NY etc and then issued reclearances via voice as necessary.

James74 · 02-09-2013 10:12AM

Suasdaguna1 wrote: »

...127.9 is Shanwick VHF and we check in saying "xxx123 CPDLC, track B , Gander next, standing by HF assignment." ....we get a selcal from Shanwick on HF, put VHF1 on 121.5 and VHF2 on 123.45. 30mins inside oceanic entry we recycle our squawk to 2000.

...we have a lock on with EGGX re CPDLC and like an ADS connection.

I just want you to know that from my point of view as a complete illiterate, aviation ignorant, but interested lurker here... this is probably the single greatest thing I have ever read on Boards. I have little to no idea what it means but my internal 12 year old and my Y chromosome are thanking me for reading it. In my mind this post is accompanied by Kenny Loggins and it makes me happy

Stallingrad · 03-09-2013 08:47AM

Loving this thread too!

Here's one, not sure if it's been asked, but what is the procedure for starting a jet? Are there keys, are they immobilized?

Are the plane doors locked on the tarmac? Just wondering what is to stop disgruntled ground crew taking one for a spin!

smurfjed · 03-09-2013 08:54AM

Just wondering what is to stop disgruntled ground crew taking one for a spin!

Considering the number of aircraft that are repossessed by owners etc, you can imagine that its not too difficult to move one if you have an idea of what you are doing.

crazygeryy · 03-09-2013 10:49AM

bit of a weird one but someone might know.

what is the name for the "kite" like thing at mainly small airports that gauges how soft or strong the wind is?
its shaped like a tube that has a big opening at one end(where the wind goes in) and small opening at the other end and is attached to a stick thats stuck into the ground.

god i hope im explaining this well enough.:rolleyes:

Wise Old Elf · 03-09-2013 10:53AM

crazygeryy wrote: »

bit of a weird one but someone might know.

what is the name for the "kite" like thing at mainly small airports that gauges how soft or strong the wind is?
its shaped like a tube that has a big opening at one end(where the wind goes in) and small opening at the other end and is attached to a stick thats stuck into the ground.

god i hope im explaining this well enough.:rolleyes:

Sounds like a windsock... (can't link a pic so wiki with a pic below).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsock

crazygeryy · 03-09-2013 10:55AM

Disco Stuart wrote: »

Sounds like a windsock... (can't link a pic so wiki with a pic below).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsock

yes thats the one thankyou.
just wanted to know the name for it.

Tenger · 03-09-2013 12:00PM

crazygeryy wrote: »

.......its shaped like a tube that has a big opening at one end(where the wind goes in) and small opening at the other end and is attached to a stick thats stuck into the ground.

god i hope im explaining this well enough....

You pretty much nailed that description....

adam88 · 03-09-2013 04:55PM

Stallingrad wrote: »

Loving this thread too!

Here's one, not sure if it's been asked, but what is the procedure for starting a jet? Are there keys, are they immobilized? Are the plane doors locked on the tarmac? Just wondering what is to stop disgruntled ground crew taking one for a spin!

Would like to know the answer to this as well!!!!

smurfjed · 04-09-2013 06:10AM

Keys = yes, immobiliser = yes, locked = yes...... not to mention motion detectors, video camera's, wifi reporting and at least in our case, a man with a big bloody gun

NewSigGuy · 04-09-2013 06:48AM

With my crowd the aircraft are never on the ground long enough, they average over 18hrs airborne per day. There's only time to change crew, add fuel and catering for the next sector...

Stallingrad · 04-09-2013 08:53AM

smurfjed wrote: »

Keys = yes, immobiliser = yes, locked = yes...... not to mention motion detectors, video camera's, wifi reporting and at least in our case, a man with a big bloody gun

I guess I'm thinking off you average Ryanair 737 parked overnight. Is the main door really locked, hard to believe a key is used, seems a bit low tech, never saw a keyhole?!

dukedalton · 05-09-2013 06:29PM

I'm not sure if this is something that's always been there and I'm only now noticing it, but can anyone tell me what the "hump" is on the roof of aircraft is?(excuse my non-technical language) I've noticed them recently particularly on long haul aircraft. I've attached a picture of an Aer Lingus A330 with such a feature.

IRLConor · 05-09-2013 06:35PM

dukedalton wrote: »

I'm not sure if this is something that's always been there and I'm only now noticing it, but can anyone tell me what the "hump" is on the roof of aircraft is?(excuse my non-technical language) I've noticed them recently particularly on long haul aircraft. I've attached a picture of an Aer Lingus A330 with such a feature.

That's the new antenna for the WiFi service they haven't launched yet.

NewSigGuy · 06-09-2013 03:18AM

IRLConor wrote: »

That's the new antenna for the WiFi service they haven't launched yet.

It's a Satcom Antenna.

basill · 06-09-2013 01:50PM

If your referring to the big white bulb on the top rear of the fuselage then its the wifi. VHF 3 is located near it which has caused no end of problems for the engineers in rectifying comms issues. The Satcom is located on top of the fuselage near the front of the aircraft. All per my FCOMs - DSC20-20 refers.

Suasdaguna1 · 07-09-2013 03:06AM

basill wrote: »

If your referring to the big white bulb on the top rear of the fuselage then its the wifi. VHF 3 is located near it which has caused no end of problems for the engineers in rectifying comms issues. The Satcom is located on top of the fuselage near the front of the aircraft. All per my FCOMs - DSC20-20 refers.

A big yawn

NewSigGuy · 07-09-2013 10:02AM

basill wrote: »

If your referring to the big white bulb on the top rear of the fuselage then its the wifi. VHF 3 is located near it which has caused no end of problems for the engineers in rectifying comms issues. The Satcom is located on top of the fuselage near the front of the aircraft. All per my FCOMs - DSC20-20 refers.

Looks very like a Satcom Antenna, the WiFi antenna is also located in the same location

smurfjed · 09-09-2013 04:35PM

Most days are great, some others are just awesome

Shamrock231 · 09-09-2013 04:37PM

smurfjed wrote: »

[url]<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/9708606047_8931b84da0_c.jpg" width="689" height="800" alt="Shannon"></a>[/url]

Most days are great, some others are just awesome

Go on, give us a hint... :pac: :P

eatmyshorts · 09-09-2013 04:54PM

Shamrock231 wrote: »

Go on, give us a hint... :pac: :P

Screen shot of the EFB map display.
Which model is that smurfjed?

smurfjed · 09-09-2013 05:00PM

Actually the screen shot is from JeppFD on an IPAD, but its the route that's the fun part, at least for me

Shamrock231 · 09-09-2013 05:01PM

I see that now LOL. Nice pic Smurfjed...

Lustrum · 09-09-2013 08:17PM

One of my MEIR instructors used to love telling everyone about that particular waypoint, I've no doubt he'll be still laughing his head off about it when he's 80!

smurfjed · 09-09-2013 08:29PM

Which particular waypoint???

I'm more interested in the fuel stop destination and onwards

Shamrock231 · 09-09-2013 08:43PM

I'm guessing Delta India Kilo Alpha Sierra... :pac:

The great big "ask an airline pilot" thread!

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