The Ultimate ULR Flight
I've just been reading a back issue of Flight International on an article about Ultra-long haul flying written way back in 2004.
Seems like TC could still have a plan how to tackle our woes about ULR flying.
First a statement from a former SVP. Quote: "We've still a lot to learn about how to deal with ULR flights" says Emirates' Knowles "For example where is the best place to locate the crew rest area, or what sort of lighting helps? The time-zone changes are in fact more of an issue than flight duration itself" Unquote
And now to TCs world inovative plan!
Quote: "Emirates president Tim Clark has a long-term vision for the industry that could eliminate this time-zone problem. He believes that the next generation of long-range airliners, such as the proposed 650 seat Airbus A380-900 stretch, could be equiped with the ultimate in on-board crew rest faciltities, including showers, enabling pilots to operate the aircraft using a shift pattern similar to a ship's roster"
"Crews could operate ultra-long haul flights to a 4h on/4h off pattern, and when they get to destination, they'd turn around and fly back without need to acclimatise to different time zones" he says"
"And Clark has a simple solution to winning the pilots over his plan. "The savings generated by not having to put crews up would be given back to them in their pay packet" he says" Unquote
So watch out A380 guys!!! Looks like you'll be earning a lot more than your fellow colleagues! Around the cost of a hotel room extra???
So, it's a "simple solution" to pay us "more". Lifestyle is certainly not what flying is about anymore, neither be able to see the world, except from either the flight deck or the bunk!
Keep discovering guys!!!