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Old 25th September 2008 | 16:08
  #23 (permalink)  
Special 25
25 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2000
: ATPL
Posts: 252
Likes: 5
From: Norwich
I'd agree with Horror Box. Not flown the 92 but certainly the S-61 and AS332 have limited viz across the cockpit. Obviously 50% of the night time landings would be mine, of the other 50% I'd say I would have 'satisfactory' visual cues only about half of them - So (not scientific I know) but I guess we'd have to throw away about a quarter of all landings, and I often feel when landing offshore that I would like to throw at least that many - Not to mention my own cock-ups !!

In summary, even as an experienced Captain, I am placing a lot of faith in a potentially new, perfectly well trained but inexperienced co-pilot. Whilst I may be able to assess ground speed and rates of descent to see when it has really gone pear-shaped, when they are looking good, that still only gives me a guide that he or she has got it in hand and is making a safe approach to the deck - They could be headed for a crane for all I know, I'm unlikely to be able to see it.
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