Time to switch to anti-grav.

(Written on 2017/12/01)(Permalink)

You may remember in the 1990s a Northwest Crew was arrested having arrived on a 727 from Fargo, ND and a nights drinking. What you may not know is that Captain, today, is a hero to me. His name is Lyle Prouse and put yourself in his shoes for a moment after he made his mind up to do what had to be done to rebuild his shambled career. Long story short, he started from Private Pilot and past every exam from there up to get all his licenses back as set forth by the FAA as a condition to continue to fly. This didn't happen overnight. He had to spend some prison time then some time in a halfway house before taking up flying again. He finally made it all the way back into a Northwest Airlines cockpit as a 747 copilot and I think (say think, not sure) Delta Airlines allowed him to fly his final trip as a Captain on a 747. Amazing the things the man had to do. Today he makes a few public appearances and talks about his alcoholism and recovery. Sure, he made a mistake, but today, Lyle, you a

(Written on 2016/09/02)(Permalink)

I am a retired airline pilot of 31 years. Had 18,000+ when I retired. During that time I had 3 catastrophic engine failures. In other words, they blew up and threw schrapnel in the cabin. No one was hit in any of them. Still, my point is, why is this making the news? To me it is just crazy. Crews train for this and I can tell you, my heart rate hardly went up for more than a minute and it was all business getting back on the ground. Aftwards, we went to the hotel and had a drink and a good night's rest before continuing the trips. No heroes in the cockpit we just do what we are trained to do. All were very ordinary events as we were so well trained to handle them. Sheesh.

(Written on 2016/09/02)(Permalink)

Thanks, nice to hear an update from an active pilot. Most all of my class is now retired. We were old to start with. LOL.

(Written on 2015/08/21)(Permalink)

Hi, I cannot speak to what Delta's inflight capabilities are now, but having merged with Northwest, I can say that we had regular updates in the cockpit via ACARS. Most NWA pilots will recall the Turbelence Plots (TPs) and the re-routes we sometimes got enroute. As someone has already stated, the pilot is the final authority.

(Written on 2015/08/21)(Permalink)

You are exactly correct, Michael.

(Written on 2013/08/02)(Permalink)

Looks to me like the Dad, is the guy in the left seat.

(Written on 2013/08/02)(Permalink)

The term stirring the pot is rarely used in the cockpit, but is often used by the instructors during initial simulator periods.

(Written on 2013/03/29)(Permalink)

The A320 has no input that would automatically take the airplane to a neutral flight control position by turning loose of the stick. Such as, zero deg ailerons & or elevator. Thus inputting a slight wing down, the A 320 will maintain that input until the pilot gives it another. It will not return to a trimmed position as in a Cessna 172 does with elevator trim. Therefore, the pilot, FO or Capt. must continually stir the pot watching the visual cues artificial horizon or outside horizon for the need to reset the airplane. It's more like correct and recorrect. The last input will not be the last until the airplane is below flying speed. 3,000 hr A320 Captain.

(Written on 2013/03/29)(Permalink)

I'm not 33 yo I am retired and flew for a major airline for 31 years. We keep our views about other pilots misfortunes under our hat. Never heard another pro pilot in my career speak about what other pilots should have done. Personally, I'm affected when any pilot augers in. That's what real pros do.

(Written on 2013/01/10)(Permalink)