In 1951 I joined a company which had a trooping contract to do the routine replacement of troops between the UK and the Canal Zone, using Yorks with rearward facing seats for our 40 passengers. The contract stipulated that the flight deck crew must consist of Captain, First Officer and Radio Officer. PLUS a Second Officer, Navigator OR a Flight Engineer.
I had some 400+ hours and a recently renewed Instrument Rating. I was employed as a Second Officer. I was given a uniform but no training or notes. I was useless on our flight to Malta -I had not realised that a York was noisy. IT WAS !
I obtained a headset in Malta. During our daylight cruiising flight to the CZ, the Captain invited/ordered/ told me to sit in the RH seat and take over from the F/O. I was told " To keep the aircraft S/L at 9500ft, or rather at 9450 ft to allow for Position Error...AND not to wander about...Keep the a/c " On the Step at 165kts. Check my Gyro for precession etc." After an hour the F/O returned for the descent and Landing.
The return flight to Malta was at night after a days rest in the "VIP tents". Again I did my hour of handflying, now at 8450ft. There were no airways and only one intermediate NDB on our route. We used Quadrantal Height Separation. The A/Ps seldom worked properly.
On our flight back to the U.K. we had one that DID work, So I was able to take my first Astro fix. ( At that time Astro appeared to be something which Pilots " did not do..." And as for a new Second Officer....!)
Perhaps I got some surprised remarks.
At least I had made a start at hand flying, and at cruising level.
I had to start somewhere.
PS I was told that the Company was paid £25/head, I am not sure whether this was each way. The Scheduled fare to Cairo was £146/10 but may have added wines to the menu !
Last edited by Jetdriver; 19th August 2012 at 19:32.