Originally Posted by
RedBullGaveMeWings
How long on average does it take a pilot new to the 747 to get used to the eye height from a 737 or other aircraft with lower flight deck?
The 747 has to be one of the easiest jets to land in normal conditions. I have been in the jumpseeat of a -400 with an ab initio guy doing his first two landings on the line after sim(and touch and goes). Total time...about 300 hours. First two landings...very, very nice. Last aircraft flown...a light piston twin probably more than half a year earlier.
On this thread we are talking about a 747-8 but a 747 test pilot told me that it was modified during the whole design process to fly as similar to the -400 as possible in terms of handling. Apparently took quite a bit of work to design these features into it.
And of course, there could be local conditions that had an effect on the Cargolux incident.