Now Ye're Talking - to a Commercial Pilot

Boards.ie: Niamh · 25-01-2018 10:47am #1

One of the people some of you wanted to hear from was a pilot so we have a commercial pilot here to answer your questions! Our guest poster has been flying for almost 20 years now. He has flown turboprops, flown jets on short haul and long haul flights and has also been an instructor on jets. He also flies light aircraft from time to time.

Please bear in mind that he may be in a different time zone so answers may be delayed.

Let's get this one off to a flying start (sorry...not sorry

)

artanevilla · 25-01-2018 11:04am

Hello.

What's the nicest plane to fly (that you've flown)?

Do you prefer real flying (light aircraft) or the big ones (commercial airliners)?

Thanks.

GLaDOS · 25-01-2018 11:21am

How have security protocols changed over the last 20 years?

lovelyhurler · 25-01-2018 11:27am

Can I be bold and ask 2 questions.

With the proliferation of LCC's, have the terms/conditions of the job changed much in the 20+ years?

Also,

Any seriuosly scary incidents in those 20 odd years?

Cheers.

SEPT 23 1989 · 25-01-2018 11:28am

Have you ever seen anything in the sky that you couldn't explain?

Bummer1234 · 25-01-2018 11:45am

Whats your most favorite and most unfavorable Airport to fly into and why?

5rtytry56 · 25-01-2018 11:52am

What is your favourite Prop and favourite Jet aircraft.

When last, if ever, have you flown a 'tail dragger' ?

irishejit · 25-01-2018 11:54am

It seems that the industry is facing a pilot shortage in the very near future, however it is getting harder and harder to get your commercial rating due to the costs involved and the lack of funded training.

How do you see this being addressed, or will it be left to those people how can afford to take out huge loans to self fund their training?

fixXxer · 25-01-2018 11:56am

Where exactly is "The Danger Zone"?

black & white · 25-01-2018 12:14pm

Why do landings on a Ryanair plane seem harder than AL or other airlines ?

9or10 · 25-01-2018 1:25pm

Hi thanks for doing the AMA.

Just enjoyed watching the film "Sully" (Miracle on the Hudson).

I'd be interested to know how you viewed the film and the event.

I'm guessing that the enquiry afterwards was dramatised somewhat for the film.

Mint Sauce · 25-01-2018 1:44pm

Is it true what they say about the little triangles above the windows? A visual or a marker for crew to look out at wings/engine to see if any issues. Window blinds up for rescuers to look in, or passengers to look out for danger, in case of incident. Lights dimmed for eyes to adjust to darkness, again in case of incident. Etc. Etc.

PTH2009 · 25-01-2018 2:03pm

what was your most scariest experience flying a plane ???

the_galway_fry · 25-01-2018 2:44pm

any tips for Aerosinusitis?

AirBiscuit · 25-01-2018 4:12pm

Most severe systems failure to happen while you were flying?

Also what do you currently fly?

the beer revolu · 25-01-2018 4:18pm

I'm led to believe that modern aircraft are basically able to fly themselves,including take off and landing and that pilots only occasionally actually land the place to keep in practice.
How true is this?

Sexual Chocolate · 25-01-2018 4:45pm

Whats your opinion on the gradual phasing out of airliners such as the 747 and a340 in favour of a350, 777s & 787s etc ? Does flying a plane with more then two engines put your mind at ease if one was to stop working ?

Is there aircraft out there that you've never flown but would love to ?

cloudatlas · 26-01-2018 12:23am

Why do pilots not have to have decent mathematical abilities? If communication is not possible and instruments fail surely making quick calculations is a key skill.

What is your favourite hollywood airplane film? :P

CruelCoin · 26-01-2018 10:17am

Why do all pilots speak like this:

"eeeeeeeeeh, this is your pilot eeeeeeeeeh speaking. we're eeeeeeeeeeeh"

You guys up front huffing the O2?

Side question: Why are the pilot announcements so short/infrequent? I love hearing about the plane, the speeds, the tech, etc. Why just the same canned "this height, this time arriving, enjoy" message. Is it just that you get sick of repeating the same stuff?

CruelCoin · 26-01-2018 10:19am

Ever since the German wings disaster, what is pilot sentiment on this?

Has security protocol changed/increased for you prior to a flight?

CruelCoin · 26-01-2018 10:21am

Do you reckon there will be an open skies agreement in place for the UK prior to their departure from the EU?

If not, any insights you might have on how this might be handled?

Pelvis · 26-01-2018 10:22am

You ever seen a grown man naked?

Boards.ie: Niamh · 26-01-2018 10:22am

Morning all, just to let you know our guest was all set to answer questions yesterday evening but had an issue logging on (a password issue - my fault - now rectified). Hopefully he'll be along some time later to get started

CruelCoin · 26-01-2018 10:22am

I've always found Boeings to be more pleasant places to be than Airbuses, but what is it like up front?

Whats nicer to fly? (both in handling and actual creature comforts)
Which have the better tech/toys?
Which takes less time to become proficient at?
If there are different planes up for grabs, is there a rush to grab particular planes? (Dibs on the A-380, Dibs on the xxx)

CruelCoin · 26-01-2018 10:23am

Whats your opinion on French air traffic controllers, or air traffic controllers in general.

Should they be allowed to shut down the skies during a strike, or should technology be allowed to enable passage through French/other airspace during these strikes?

CruelCoin · 26-01-2018 10:25am

How long does it take to get comfortable speaking the lingo?

I listen to the ATC streams on my phone from time to time, and i'm fascinated at the rapidness of data transfer you guys can manage with your broadcasts.

JustAThought · 26-01-2018 10:47am

I always assumed it was a glamorous 'busy' job but as with long distance driving is it mostly just standards and basic operative procedures followed by long periods of dullness and dry chat with your co-pilot ?

My friends psrtner is a pilot and his home office is filled with charts and daily printouts of weather systems and technical forecasts. I assumed there would be a department in charge of tracking weather systems and making meterological decisions & refining strategic flying choices regarding flying for you - does this happen or is it all up to the pilot at home in his office? Many thanks!

Tzardine · 26-01-2018 11:36am

Boards.ie: Niamh wrote: »

Morning all, just to let you know our guest was all set to answer questions yesterday evening but had an issue logging on (a password issue - my fault - now rectified). Hopefully he'll be along some time later to get started

Are you sure the issue was not related to snakes on his plane ?

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:06pm

artanevilla wrote: »

Hello.

What's the nicest plane to fly (that you've flown)?

Do you prefer real flying (light aircraft) or the big ones (commercial airliners)?

Thanks.

Morning, and apologies for the delay...(never said that before...!)

Nicest airplane I've flown is probably the 737 (specifically the 400, really nice to hand fly)

It's difficult to answer the second question, when I'm in light aircraft it's purely for fun, when in work it's rewarding for different reasons. Flying light aircraft does get you to remember why you like flying in the first place..!

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:08pm

GLaDOS wrote: »

How have security protocols changed over the last 20 years?

Well as you can probably imagine it's a lot tighter now than it was when I started. More interestingly, the level of vigilance that people have throughout the industry is huge, that goes for the travelling public too. People are a lot more likely to speak up if they see something odd, and they are also a lot less likely to put up with bad behaviour.

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:13pm

lovelyhurler wrote: »

Can I be bold and ask 2 questions.

With the proliferation of LCC's, have the terms/conditions of the job changed much in the 20+ years?

Also,

Any seriuosly scary incidents in those 20 odd years?

Cheers.

Yesm it has changed a lot! Some airlines set a new benchmark in terms of how they operate and this becomes a target for others to aspire to (rightly or wrongly) - a whole industry in itself has now sprung up that caters to people just trying to get their foot on the first rung of the ladder - that didn't exist 20 years ago.

We are all definitely working a lot harder now than in the past.

And, honestly, nothing seriously scary!

funkey_monkey · 26-01-2018 12:13pm

There is increasing concern about the over reliance of pilots on technical aids in the modern aircraft. What are your thoughts on this and do you see the role of a pilot being 'dumbed down' in the next couple of decades to essentially being up in the cockpit to monitor systems and for passenger reassurance.

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:15pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Have you ever seen anything in the sky that you couldn't explain?

I've seen plenty of things on the ground I couldn't explain!

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:18pm

Bummer1234 wrote: »

Whats your most favorite and most unfavorable Airport to fly into and why?

Favourite: Munich, everything just seems to work there...!

Least favourite: Probably Leeds, just to do with the weather and how its location doesn't help....

funkey_monkey · 26-01-2018 12:21pm

How difficult is a crosswind landing?

Have you ever had to reign in a colleague who was operating outside of procedures? If so, how was it received? Or vice versa?

Have the eastern airlines fully got rid of the obedience at all costs to Capt. mindset that resulted in a number of crashes?

Would you fly with Malaysia Airlines?

NATLOR · 26-01-2018 12:23pm

What do you think happened to missing plane MH 370

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:23pm

5rtytry56 wrote: »

What is your favourite Prop and favourite Jet aircraft.

When last, if ever, have you flown a 'tail dragger' ?

Overall...that's tough, I'd say my favourite prop is the Constellation (never managed to get a flight in one), wouldn't mind having a go flying it...!

Jet, I would really like to have a go in a 727...doesn't look likely these days!

Edit: never flown a tail dragger...someday if I get the time, maybe...

40now · 26-01-2018 12:26pm

I am not a conspiracy theorist am I won't mention the word "chemtrails" but what are those white streaks that come out of planes? you know the things that look like clouds and hang about in the sky for a long time and have you ever done it?

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:30pm

irishejit wrote: »

It seems that the industry is facing a pilot shortage in the very near future, however it is getting harder and harder to get your commercial rating due to the costs involved and the lack of funded training.

How do you see this being addressed, or will it be left to those people how can afford to take out huge loans to self fund their training?

So like I said, there is now a whole industry that in of itself that provides all these type ratings (and line training of course) which is something that sprang up at a time when there was no such thing as a shortage of pilots. My best guess is somebody somewhere saw an opportunity to monetise a part of their business (just like paying to select a seat.)

If there was genuinely a shortage, it would eventually show itself in airlines bending over backwards to fund what (currently) is expected of the candidate. Whilst its driven by slightly different reasons, a lot of smaller carriers in the USA are offering large signing bonuses as their pool of candidates dries up. In Europe this really hasn't happened yet.

Airlines are loathe to spend money at the best of times, so it will take quite some time before they decide to really change how they hire. Many people (inlcuding those with the means) are put off the job due to the initial outlay.

GBX · 26-01-2018 12:33pm

Was becoming a commercial pilot a long term dream as kit or something you decided later in life?

Has it lived up to the expectation of job fulfillment or do you find it a highly stressful job knowing you are effectively in control of the lives of a few hundred people for a few hours?

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:34pm

black & white wrote: »

Why do landings on a Ryanair plane seem harder than AL or other airlines ?

Given some of the crunchers I've been responsible for during my time I don't think it comes down to the airline...in reality, way too many variables involved to be definitive...

Sabre0001 · 26-01-2018 12:34pm

Ever tempted to do a barrel roll?

What made you interested in becoming a pilot?

Do you have much downtime between journeys? Do you actually get to see a city that you fly to?

How long do pilots spend practicing the pilot voice for the intercom and do you practice what you're going to say?

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:39pm

9or10 wrote: »

Hi thanks for doing the AMA.

Just enjoyed watching the film "Sully" (Miracle on the Hudson).

I'd be interested to know how you viewed the film and the event.

I'm guessing that the enquiry afterwards was dramatised somewhat for the film.

I actually haven't seen the film!

But Sully had a lot of things going for him never mind his ability to take decisive action in the situation. He had full flight controls and electrics which made the handling of the aircraft easier, he had relatively benign weather and he was able to put down close to where help would be rapidly available, the fact he handled it so well is icing on the cake.

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:44pm

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Is it true what they say about the little triangles above the windows? A visual or a marker for crew to look out at wings/engine to see if any issues. Window blinds up for rescuers to look in, or passengers to look out for danger, in case of incident. Lights dimmed for eyes to adjust to darkness, again in case of incident. Etc. Etc.

The triangles indicate the best position to be able to look at the wing from inside the cabin; very handy when checking for ice on the top of the wing.

Window blinds: allows light into the cabin in case of total electrical failure in the daylight and also allows crew to visually assess outside what is going on if necessary (i.e. fire, smoke, damage, leaks etc) - at night time it's the same reason minus the daylight. Having lights dimmed or off allows the eyes to adust in darkness which allowed you to be able to pick out details more readily in case of a problem. It also makes the emergency lights stand out better should they come on and you have to react and move towards them.

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:53pm

PTH2009 wrote: »

what was your most scariest experience flying a plane ???

Rather than being scared, the first flight as a Captain when you do suddenly cop that you are actually the one responsible on board for everything is exciting....!

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 12:57pm

AirBiscuit wrote: »

Most severe systems failure to happen while you were flying?

Also what do you currently fly?

Had a hydraulic system dump all its fluid on take off once upon a time, thankfully a short flight back to base, only had to wait 30 mins to see if the gear was going to go down normally (which it did)

Someone got a load of hydraulic fluid in their field...!

Edit: currently flying Boeing medium/long haul

Gloomtastic! · 26-01-2018 12:59pm

Are you allowed to use your mobile phone during a flight?

Have you watched the movie Pilot with Denzel Washington? Have you ever witnessed other pilots who are clearly the worse for wear and about to go to work? Are there confidential channels through which you can report incidents?

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 1:00pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

I'm led to believe that modern aircraft are basically able to fly themselves,including take off and landing and that pilots only occasionally actually land the place to keep in practice.
How true is this?

I've yet to see an airplane that does the take off itself....landing, well within pretty tight limits they can do it.

In all my time I would say it's been manual landings 95% of the time, only doing an automatic landing for either crew recency, aircraft technical requirements or due to the actual weather.

I'm A Commercial Pilot, AMA · 26-01-2018 1:06pm

Sexual Chocolate wrote: »

Whats your opinion on the gradual phasing out of airliners such as the 747 and a340 in favour of a350, 777s & 787s etc ? Does flying a plane with more then two engines put your mind at ease if one was to stop working ?

Is there aircraft out there that you've never flown but would love to ?

It's really all down to technology. There are better materials and design than was available many years ago. Engine failures are many times less likely than 40 years ago; similarly the manufacturers can make engines that are much more powerful than they could in the past. This of course means you can rely on the systems; the airlines then get the benefit of having to maintain only 2 engines per aircraft rather than 4.

tmabr · 26-01-2018 1:07pm

i was talking to a few pilots at a party a few years back and they were telling me how boring long haul flights can be,

They said sometimes that they would radio each other to say that a certain area had great turbulence and that they would head towards the turbulent air for the craic to break up the boredom - give them something to do.

or where they just winding me up

DrPhilG · 26-01-2018 1:10pm

Do you ever fly Etihad? I've got a seriously tight connection in Abu Dhabi in April so if you wouldn't mind getting on that flight and nipping in for a long dump just before takeoff that would be great...

On a serious note, are there major differences in airlines in terms of staff treatment? Not asking to name the crappy ones but who are the best to work with?

Now Ye're Talking - to a Commercial Pilot

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