Centaurus
2nd Oct 2010, 13:51
Regular Pprune readers and contributors are aware of extensive discussion and therefore differing opinions, on the subject of low hour and newly graduated pilots flying as second in command on jet transports. There is no doubt that low hour pilots in the right hand seat of airliners is nothing new - and has been going on for decades, with very few serious incidents reported where the inexperience of the first officer was a major factor.
Yet, within captain ranks, there are many who harbour serious doubts whether some of the inexperienced first officrs with whom they are crewed, could confidently be relied upon to bring the aircraft home safely on the proverbial dark night in the event the captain became incapacitated.
In other words, virtually flying a big jet transport solo apart from the possibility of a flight attendant sitting in the cockpit, helping where able.
Other captains have proudly said in Pprune pages they feel perfectly confident in their airline of the first officers skill and ability to run the show solo. The captains cite as a reason, the excellent training for the high standard of their inexperienced first officers.
Nevertheless, it is a big ask to expect any first officer no matter how experienced he/she may be, to handle a single pilot operation once having dealt with the drama of an incapacitated captain. In simulator training for this event, the usual scene is the captain rolls up his eyes and dies noisily or quietly (subtle incapacitation?) and if this happens during the take off roll the first officer is supposed to play the game and take over control.
Mostly this happens close to the departure airport and the F/O does a radar vectored an ILS on automatics and lands. In all cases, the captain remains in his simulator seat, pretending to be dead or comatose. Rarely, for some reason, does the occasion call for the F/O to become incapacitated and the captain left to fly single-handed. Maybe because with certain low hour first officers the captain has to virtually operate single handed:ok:
Perhaps when incapacitation is introduced in a simulator training sequence, it would be more realistic to have the pretend deceased crew vacate his control seat and sit quietly out of sight at the back of the simulator leaving the surviving crew member (be it captain or first officer) to fly completely on his own without any other person to tune navaids, operate gear and flaps etc. The simulator instructor says nothing throughout. But one control seat remains empty...
Allowing for time constraints in the simulator, it might be worthwhile setting the aircraft at (say) 15,000 ft 45 miles from the destination airport and train the remaining pilot to get the aircraft on the ground safely. Radar vectors would make it easier to find the airport, but speed control, situational awareness and all the myriad of things a normal crew would do as part of the arrival and landing, would be done by the surviving pilot, single handed. It would be about a thirty minute training exercise that could prove a great confidence builder to the solo pilot - whether he be the captain or first officer.
Some time ago, during a type rating session with a 737 student, it was clear his tenseness was affecting his flying ability. This student was very experienced on smaller turbo-prop types but the 737 gave him the yips.
With 20 minutes left to the end of one particular session, I thought it may help if he flew with no one else in the simulator except himself.
Accordingly, the simulator was placed off motion and the instructor (self) and the other pilot, departed for a coffee break leaving the tense student to carry out solo flying in the circuit area doing two touch and go landings and a final full stop. He was going to have his hands full with flap, stab trim and gear operation operation - even though he had done touch and go's with normal crew. With the simulator off motion, he could cause no damage if he pranged. Anyway, he was given a portable "freeze" button should he need it!
He completed the circuits successfully, closed down the engines and joined is in the coffee room. I noticed then he became momentarily quite emotional for a few seconds. After quickly regaining his composure, he said thanks awfully for the solo flying and that he had felt his confidence returning with every minute of the solo flight because there was no one watching over his shoulder. In the next dual session he flew beautifully from then on. He is now a captain on a real Boeing 737 and well regarded.
It was from that experience I felt that solo flying in the simulator in terms of the incapacition exercise' would really pay off in the long run - especially where it is the inexperienced first officer carrying the can all alone. It is so important for a pilot to have self confidence because nervousness in the cockpit can ruin your day.
Yet, within captain ranks, there are many who harbour serious doubts whether some of the inexperienced first officrs with whom they are crewed, could confidently be relied upon to bring the aircraft home safely on the proverbial dark night in the event the captain became incapacitated.
In other words, virtually flying a big jet transport solo apart from the possibility of a flight attendant sitting in the cockpit, helping where able.
Other captains have proudly said in Pprune pages they feel perfectly confident in their airline of the first officers skill and ability to run the show solo. The captains cite as a reason, the excellent training for the high standard of their inexperienced first officers.
Nevertheless, it is a big ask to expect any first officer no matter how experienced he/she may be, to handle a single pilot operation once having dealt with the drama of an incapacitated captain. In simulator training for this event, the usual scene is the captain rolls up his eyes and dies noisily or quietly (subtle incapacitation?) and if this happens during the take off roll the first officer is supposed to play the game and take over control.
Mostly this happens close to the departure airport and the F/O does a radar vectored an ILS on automatics and lands. In all cases, the captain remains in his simulator seat, pretending to be dead or comatose. Rarely, for some reason, does the occasion call for the F/O to become incapacitated and the captain left to fly single-handed. Maybe because with certain low hour first officers the captain has to virtually operate single handed:ok:
Perhaps when incapacitation is introduced in a simulator training sequence, it would be more realistic to have the pretend deceased crew vacate his control seat and sit quietly out of sight at the back of the simulator leaving the surviving crew member (be it captain or first officer) to fly completely on his own without any other person to tune navaids, operate gear and flaps etc. The simulator instructor says nothing throughout. But one control seat remains empty...
Allowing for time constraints in the simulator, it might be worthwhile setting the aircraft at (say) 15,000 ft 45 miles from the destination airport and train the remaining pilot to get the aircraft on the ground safely. Radar vectors would make it easier to find the airport, but speed control, situational awareness and all the myriad of things a normal crew would do as part of the arrival and landing, would be done by the surviving pilot, single handed. It would be about a thirty minute training exercise that could prove a great confidence builder to the solo pilot - whether he be the captain or first officer.
Some time ago, during a type rating session with a 737 student, it was clear his tenseness was affecting his flying ability. This student was very experienced on smaller turbo-prop types but the 737 gave him the yips.
With 20 minutes left to the end of one particular session, I thought it may help if he flew with no one else in the simulator except himself.
Accordingly, the simulator was placed off motion and the instructor (self) and the other pilot, departed for a coffee break leaving the tense student to carry out solo flying in the circuit area doing two touch and go landings and a final full stop. He was going to have his hands full with flap, stab trim and gear operation operation - even though he had done touch and go's with normal crew. With the simulator off motion, he could cause no damage if he pranged. Anyway, he was given a portable "freeze" button should he need it!
He completed the circuits successfully, closed down the engines and joined is in the coffee room. I noticed then he became momentarily quite emotional for a few seconds. After quickly regaining his composure, he said thanks awfully for the solo flying and that he had felt his confidence returning with every minute of the solo flight because there was no one watching over his shoulder. In the next dual session he flew beautifully from then on. He is now a captain on a real Boeing 737 and well regarded.
It was from that experience I felt that solo flying in the simulator in terms of the incapacition exercise' would really pay off in the long run - especially where it is the inexperienced first officer carrying the can all alone. It is so important for a pilot to have self confidence because nervousness in the cockpit can ruin your day.