Natstrackalpha
7th Apr 2012, 17:32
ICAO - should enforce a law which states that any airliner Captain declaring minimum fuel - or indeed a fuel emergency - will not have any retribution (or in case I have that word wrong) - their a---s kicked (unless of course the airline makes a habit of it.)
Just like in the world of "Go-Around" those sacred words are whispered and acted upon and yet, they still get a slight interrogation "what was the reason for your go-around" with a slightly angry tone - yes they do, so don`t argue please
The more obstacles we take out of the equation of "the proverbial is about to hit the fan" the easier life will become without there being any inkling of a tendency to avoid the situation in fear of some over the carpet outcome.
I.e., tell it like it is. Before you come screaming in to comment on prior preparation and planning, etc., etc., etc - "good airmanship is not getting into situations requiring good airmanship" forget it - we have heard it all before. This is for the if, then, when it happens, then what??? Scenario. If the situation can be justified and no fault lies with the crew - then total b-----ks - because of the word If.
In situations where there must be a call, then, there must be a call. Taking second thoughts, complicated what ifs OUT of the equation would be a good thing!
People, like those who burn around in 330s 747s and the like have enough on their plate without having to apply a little . . finesse, savoir fare to avoid a poo fight.
You all know what I am talking about, so please, don`t get brainy or defensive, creative or imaginative.
ATC do not have crystal balls, and yet, there are some controllers with more savvy than others - especially with local base pilots. ATC will always do their damndest to help all the time - as will other aircraft.
There should be NO extra potential pressure of any sort - obstructing a pilot`s intention to declare a fuel emergency - neither from the Authorities or indeed from company.
True, a serious briefing down at the pub with pilots and controllers or indeed a sober visit to the control tower goes a long way towards greater cohesion and understanding between the ATC units and pilots - these little get togethers are frequent and often and good.
Also, there should be a civil law prohibiting bozos with handhelds who immediately phone the nearest infested news team to create panic and mayhem all over the world just because a Captain had announced to a Controller that their fuel state was approaching healthy reserves - the essence of a fantastcially good pilot is to keep these reserves thus healthy and intact - until touchdown.
ICAO - the FAA and the CAA (if they are watching) should get real, upon real.
and, know that sometimes in the realm of "look at what the winds doing now" scenario - coupled with "loads! of traffic tonight due to this that and the other tonight - IT sometimes hits the fan."
Naturally, all us lot, i.e., pilots, despatchers, flight planners, navigation officers and many more not mentioned here, do their darndest to ensure that every eventuality is properly catered for - ahead of the game.
So, when the marbels do fall out of your pocket - for whatever reason, be it Murphy`s Law, God or Satan or simply an unfortunate situation which could not easily be . . rectified/saved then that moment is not the time to start having to consider outcomes which are b--ger all to do with the flight situation at that time.
"Hey, howz Joe?" "He got fired" "Why?" "they said he was surplus to requirements - but, in fact they got p----d off because he declared a fuel emergency, had the authorities on his --s and the press phoning him all the time, looking for an exagerated scoop"
"Are you the Captain of this aircraft - " "Er, Yes I am" Did you just call a fuel, sorry, my pass, Civil Aviation Authority, did you just declare a fuel emergency?" . . .
"Hello John, Derek here, would you like to come to my office in the morning - just had the CAA on the phone - appears you had to declare a fuel emergency - leave? Sorry it won`t take long, you`ll miss your flight to go on holiday - don`t worry, we`ll fix you up with another one, it`ll all be part of the same package"
If you start covering precautionery emergency calls with undiluted sewage of worry and potential eventualities, then you dilute the effectiveness of the decision timely made and executed. In which case - do not blame the pilot, for it be on your head, not his, if things go bump in the night
Just like in the world of "Go-Around" those sacred words are whispered and acted upon and yet, they still get a slight interrogation "what was the reason for your go-around" with a slightly angry tone - yes they do, so don`t argue please
The more obstacles we take out of the equation of "the proverbial is about to hit the fan" the easier life will become without there being any inkling of a tendency to avoid the situation in fear of some over the carpet outcome.
I.e., tell it like it is. Before you come screaming in to comment on prior preparation and planning, etc., etc., etc - "good airmanship is not getting into situations requiring good airmanship" forget it - we have heard it all before. This is for the if, then, when it happens, then what??? Scenario. If the situation can be justified and no fault lies with the crew - then total b-----ks - because of the word If.
In situations where there must be a call, then, there must be a call. Taking second thoughts, complicated what ifs OUT of the equation would be a good thing!
People, like those who burn around in 330s 747s and the like have enough on their plate without having to apply a little . . finesse, savoir fare to avoid a poo fight.
You all know what I am talking about, so please, don`t get brainy or defensive, creative or imaginative.
ATC do not have crystal balls, and yet, there are some controllers with more savvy than others - especially with local base pilots. ATC will always do their damndest to help all the time - as will other aircraft.
There should be NO extra potential pressure of any sort - obstructing a pilot`s intention to declare a fuel emergency - neither from the Authorities or indeed from company.
True, a serious briefing down at the pub with pilots and controllers or indeed a sober visit to the control tower goes a long way towards greater cohesion and understanding between the ATC units and pilots - these little get togethers are frequent and often and good.
Also, there should be a civil law prohibiting bozos with handhelds who immediately phone the nearest infested news team to create panic and mayhem all over the world just because a Captain had announced to a Controller that their fuel state was approaching healthy reserves - the essence of a fantastcially good pilot is to keep these reserves thus healthy and intact - until touchdown.
ICAO - the FAA and the CAA (if they are watching) should get real, upon real.
and, know that sometimes in the realm of "look at what the winds doing now" scenario - coupled with "loads! of traffic tonight due to this that and the other tonight - IT sometimes hits the fan."
Naturally, all us lot, i.e., pilots, despatchers, flight planners, navigation officers and many more not mentioned here, do their darndest to ensure that every eventuality is properly catered for - ahead of the game.
So, when the marbels do fall out of your pocket - for whatever reason, be it Murphy`s Law, God or Satan or simply an unfortunate situation which could not easily be . . rectified/saved then that moment is not the time to start having to consider outcomes which are b--ger all to do with the flight situation at that time.
"Hey, howz Joe?" "He got fired" "Why?" "they said he was surplus to requirements - but, in fact they got p----d off because he declared a fuel emergency, had the authorities on his --s and the press phoning him all the time, looking for an exagerated scoop"
"Are you the Captain of this aircraft - " "Er, Yes I am" Did you just call a fuel, sorry, my pass, Civil Aviation Authority, did you just declare a fuel emergency?" . . .
"Hello John, Derek here, would you like to come to my office in the morning - just had the CAA on the phone - appears you had to declare a fuel emergency - leave? Sorry it won`t take long, you`ll miss your flight to go on holiday - don`t worry, we`ll fix you up with another one, it`ll all be part of the same package"
If you start covering precautionery emergency calls with undiluted sewage of worry and potential eventualities, then you dilute the effectiveness of the decision timely made and executed. In which case - do not blame the pilot, for it be on your head, not his, if things go bump in the night