SCMP
Cathay Pacific sends pilot packing over Top Gun swoop Barclay Crawford
Updated on Feb 24, 2008 Flying a brand new Boeing 777-300ER on her maiden voyage from Boeing's Everett, Washington, plant to Hong Kong was obviously not enough of a thrill for Captain Ian Wilkinson.
So shortly after takeoff he turned the sixth purchase of the airline's new fleet around and swooped back to the ground to make a Top Gun-style, low-level fly-by of the Boeing factory.
But while the manoeuvre on January 30, only metres from the runway, might have wowed onlookers, senior Cathay Pacific figures - including chairman Christopher Pratt - aboard the flight were far from impressed.
It cost Captain Wilkinson his job. An airline spokeswoman confirmed the sacking yesterday and a six-month suspension from training duties for another, unidentified, pilot at a disciplinary hearing last week.
The hearing found the two in breach of company guidelines, which prohibit fly-bys without the required clearance.
Both have appealed against the decisions.
The plane was unmistakable: it had "Asia's World City" written in large letters on the body, which was also painted with the airline's trademark green logo and a dragon.
Since the fly-by, video and photographs have appeared on the internet of the flight, with other pilots and plane-spotters posting their opinions of Captain Wilkinson's daredevil stunt.
Most praised the quality of the fly-by, but there were critics.
One commented: "I love a good fly-by, like the rest of us ... but I can't say I think that one was too clever. A bit low and slow.
"Glad they didn't have an engine failure then."
One pilot told the Sunday Morning Post that the pilot must have had a rush of blood to have taken the plane to only 10 metres or less above the runway.
"Everyone's seen the pictures, and to me, it does look a bit dangerous," he said.
The spokeswoman said an internal investigation, including the collection of flight data and interviews with the crew involved, was under way.
Cathay Pacific had told the Civil Aviation Department to expect a report once the investigation was finished.
The airline had a well-established approval process for fly-bys and a number had been conducted in the past as display flights at air shows with proper approval in place, the spokeswoman said.
"The pilot in command of the flight was satisfied that the fly-by was not dangerous," she said.
"He was disciplined for not seeking or obtaining company approval for the manoeuvre."
Following the incident, Cathay Pacific has issued a notice to all cockpit crew reminding them of the company's policy on fly-bys.
Captain Wilkinson declined to comment last night.