IN PRAISE OF PROPER QUALIFIED PILOTS. . . . .

[metalman]

Then with all that said lets look at the other end of the spectrum.....Its a few years old now but I was told that those defence pilots who were selected to become test pilots (and we are talking the 2-3 best of the best per year) were sent to the USA Airforce for the course.......At the end of the course each potential graduate is provided the keys and the manuals for a random aircraft that has or is flying in the US Airforce inventory and told to take it for a spin and map its characteristics as a test pilot.....The aircraft are not all smaller fighter size but could be, at one end of the spectrum say a C17 which is a "heavey" by any definition!

 

The point, is that these guys will never have flown the aircraft they are assigned to and were (and probably still are) expected to take it off, put it through its paces and bring it back in one piece having flown it at or close to beyond the flight envelope..... Of course if the aircraft is a multi flight crew aircraft then the flight isn't a 1 up exercise, the remainder of the crew, who are experienced at their roles, are along for the ride.

 

This was told to me by a former RAAF Test pilot who was aware that I fly lighties. I have skipped over the fact that time between being handed the keys and manuals and take off isn't, as inferred instantaneous, but rather there is lots of time for the pilot under test to read everything there is on the aircraft, but it doesn't change that the first flight is indeed the first flight......

 

So.....it all comes down to your belief and the reality converging, if you are indeed the best of the best... then despite a few sweaty brows, it'll be a walk in the park.....if, like me, the best you can claim is I'm probably average in skill and will survive as a result of effective training, then time to send up a few prayers probably......

 

Andy

I've got a mate who does just that with VH exp aircraft, before flying my home built for the first time I asked him how he just gets in a plane takes off and flies it back to the ground, his answer, "you learn the plane in the first 20 seconds, then your airborne and have to come back", I did a lot of prep ( me and the plane) before flying mine ,and although it was exciting it really was a non event ,

Matty

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Did 1.5hrs in the 737 sim and felt a little intimidated at the start but then just concentrated on hand flying with basic instruments and it became just another twin. Tricks were to configure early to stay in front, keep the picture out the window good or do the bolt straight away and try again. Don't try and push a bad situation it will just compound and get worse. Be aware that it is heavy and the sink requires a lot of power to arrest. Biggest surprise was how little power it needed in the cruise to maintain level flight. If you are a competent pilot with good stick and rudder skills then you should be able to handle a big aircraft. Just gotta flare a little higher.

 

I'd give it a go. My view is that my skin is worth more than the rest of the pax combined so if i'm safe so are they. Plus I trust me more than them to pull it off.

 

BTW anyone ever experience some of those 500 hour FO landings? shheesh!!

 

 

[bexrbetter]

Probrably more likely to hear "is there a doctor on the flight?" anyway!

I have been on a flight where that has been announced! - Older lady pax though, not the Pilot!

 

Aero Club Barbie. . .

Was Ken there too?

 

 

 

[bexrbetter]

Ahh, this is what I was looking for ....

 

 

 

[Marty_d]

Natalja is HOT.

 

 

[dutchroll]

Regarding the test pilots, another thing to remember is that the USAF test pilot course is a year long. That's a year of intensive test pilot training (of an already experienced, above-average pilot) and instruction in a wide variety of different size aircraft. Yes they get to evaluate planes they haven't flown before, but they are fresh off a very rigorous and disciplined program of preparation.

 

I think the video above is quite well done and the autoland instruction was pretty well handled. As for Natalja's attempted manual landing……ah the beauty of the "crash override" button in the sim!

 

 

[facthunter]

In reality it would have been a fiery ball, landing off strip is for STOL planes with fat tyres that could run over your foot without hurting you. Nev