GhosRider
12th Sep 2003, 11:55
Hi all,
Got this from today's Today (no pun intended) Newspaper. Anyone care to comment?
SIA plans 18-hr flights
Ultra long range flights likely to boost business
by Tor Ching Li
[email protected]
SINGAPORE Airlines' pilots look set to stay the longest in the air soon — all 18 hours of it.
Come early next year, SIA will offer the longest non-stop commercial flight with its route from Singapore to the United States aboard newly-acquired Airbus A340-500s.
Passengers could arrive in Los Angeles on the West Coast within 16 to 18 hours — up to four hours off the current flight time — depending on wind conditions.
Currently, the longest direct flight in the aviation industry is from New York to Hong Kong in 15 hours and 45 minutes by Continental Airlines.
While this could mean good news and more cocktails for the frequent flyer, how will it affect pilots in the cockpits?
"An 18-hour flight could add up to nearly 20 hours, factoring the one-hour pre-flight reporting time plus another half-hour after landing to file flight reports and check everything," an SIA pilot told Today.
While most pilots will take it in their stride, it is unsure what the long-term effects of such Ultra Long Range (ULR) flights will be, he added.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) guidelines allow a pilot to be on duty for up to 18 hours, from reporting to work till he signs off.
But the CAAS has been working on a provisional set of rules to allow continuous flight times of more than 19 hours since 1998.
According to a European Committee for Aircrew Scheduling and Safety research commissioned by the CAAS last year, ULR flights can be operated with two sets of crew (or four pilots) without compromising safety.
Explained a pilot: "Overnight flights, such as non-stop flights to Europe, operate with two sets of crew, each comprising a captain and a co-pilot."
However, while the general rule is that pilots should be at the controls for only half the time of their shift, the roles are not fixed and it is between the pilots to settle the arrangements.
Also, though pilots should be provided with a lie-down bunk and a sit-down chair to rest, a pilot said that "whether you get enough rest depends on how long you take to fall asleep".
When the A340-500s take off next year, a second study will be conducted to validate the provisional ULR rules.
Besides monitoring pilots' brainwaves, their activity level will be measured using an "actiwatch" to assess alertness when on duty and at rest.
They will also be given hand-held computers to complete 10-minute performance tasks at regular intervals while on duty.
According to Credit Suisse First Boston research director, Mr Felix Rusli, this long-haul flight could boost SIA's business. "There will always be demand from passengers for services that save time," he said.
But before the service takes off, CAAS and SIA will have to deal with demands from the Singapore Airlines Staff Union.
Ultra long range flights likely to boost business
Got this from today's Today (no pun intended) Newspaper. Anyone care to comment?
SIA plans 18-hr flights
Ultra long range flights likely to boost business
by Tor Ching Li
[email protected]
SINGAPORE Airlines' pilots look set to stay the longest in the air soon — all 18 hours of it.
Come early next year, SIA will offer the longest non-stop commercial flight with its route from Singapore to the United States aboard newly-acquired Airbus A340-500s.
Passengers could arrive in Los Angeles on the West Coast within 16 to 18 hours — up to four hours off the current flight time — depending on wind conditions.
Currently, the longest direct flight in the aviation industry is from New York to Hong Kong in 15 hours and 45 minutes by Continental Airlines.
While this could mean good news and more cocktails for the frequent flyer, how will it affect pilots in the cockpits?
"An 18-hour flight could add up to nearly 20 hours, factoring the one-hour pre-flight reporting time plus another half-hour after landing to file flight reports and check everything," an SIA pilot told Today.
While most pilots will take it in their stride, it is unsure what the long-term effects of such Ultra Long Range (ULR) flights will be, he added.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) guidelines allow a pilot to be on duty for up to 18 hours, from reporting to work till he signs off.
But the CAAS has been working on a provisional set of rules to allow continuous flight times of more than 19 hours since 1998.
According to a European Committee for Aircrew Scheduling and Safety research commissioned by the CAAS last year, ULR flights can be operated with two sets of crew (or four pilots) without compromising safety.
Explained a pilot: "Overnight flights, such as non-stop flights to Europe, operate with two sets of crew, each comprising a captain and a co-pilot."
However, while the general rule is that pilots should be at the controls for only half the time of their shift, the roles are not fixed and it is between the pilots to settle the arrangements.
Also, though pilots should be provided with a lie-down bunk and a sit-down chair to rest, a pilot said that "whether you get enough rest depends on how long you take to fall asleep".
When the A340-500s take off next year, a second study will be conducted to validate the provisional ULR rules.
Besides monitoring pilots' brainwaves, their activity level will be measured using an "actiwatch" to assess alertness when on duty and at rest.
They will also be given hand-held computers to complete 10-minute performance tasks at regular intervals while on duty.
According to Credit Suisse First Boston research director, Mr Felix Rusli, this long-haul flight could boost SIA's business. "There will always be demand from passengers for services that save time," he said.
But before the service takes off, CAAS and SIA will have to deal with demands from the Singapore Airlines Staff Union.
Ultra long range flights likely to boost business