Emirates Trainee Blacked Out

[safari005]

Trainee pilot blacks out for 55 minutes at controls - Transport Safety Bureau report | Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/news/trainee-pilot-blacks-out-for-55-minutes-at-controls-transport-safety-bureau-report/story-fn32891l-1226064819094)

[Ghost Rider]

"He stated that the sun was directly in his eyes and he found it difficult to look out of the windscreen due to the sun glare," the report said.

He would fit in well for an early morning East Bound Departure

The question remains why he was sacked ??? Was because he exceeded the controlled rest maximum by 15 min ???? :=

[kumul1]

I thought EK sent their trainees to Spain....

[Wizofoz]

I thought EK sent their trainees to Spain....


They do now. This incident occurred back in December, but the ATSB report has only just come out.

[Mister Warning]

Must be showing my age but the aircraft I trained in were not equipped with an autopilot. Maybe that's why I got some "hand flying" skills that seem to be generally lacking amongst the EK cadets....

[Henry09]

Well it does sound like he fell asleep. Lunch, sun, drone of prop, no one to talk to. Comes around and is coherent enough to get the aircraft back on the ground with appropriate assistance from ATC. I feel very sorry for him, His problem is that he may have failed one of the first rules in early aviation training, don't bulls**t your instructor, tell the truth. By labeling it as "I just blacked out", because the Docs can find no reason, he is unlikely to ever get a medical cat back again, or at any rate future airlines will not spend money on a known potential training risk. Had he said "I fell asleeo", it would have been an interview without tea and biscuits, being made to review the Human Factors, Performance and Limitations module of their study package 3 times over complete with exams and told he is on close supervision. It is probably end of career, one hopes not of course and whether it was a blackout or a sleep session he is a very lucky young man to have been straight and level, trimmed out with the auto pilot in.

[max AB]

had enough fuel to fly for another 60 minutes

Not suitable for EK, took too much fuel...

[Payscale]

Actually he probably suffer from flicker vertigo. The sun thru the prop at a certain RPM, can induce black outs. Remember a case like this in Fort Rucker heli training.
I know it sound more fun and exotic with strip bars and late night... but that doesnt necessarily make it the truth.

[Henry09]

Flicker Vertigo is a good possibility, but I don't think anyone has mentioned strip bars and late nights ;)

[captainsmiffy]

bloody hell.....could never get my students to trim that well!!! Good job; should re-instate him immediately!

[max AB]

Now I am not an Avmed specialist but helo blades rotate around 300rpm and bugsmasher props in the cruise about 5-6 times this fast, too fast I would think for Flicker vertigo. The "local" word is he suffered from "'nodding-off-itis" , as we all do from time to ti zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Payscale]

MAX AB I Think you Might be right.

The way it was reported in 7Days was disgusting and I hope HRH shuts down the rag for a month.

For those who didn't see it, it was titled something like Captain Collapses at Controls and carried a big picture of an A380.... Slightly exaggerated dare I say!

[captainsmiffy]

yes, my wife (total non-aviation person!) was under the impression that it was 'a large one, like what you fly, dear!' - especially with the picture of a 380 and the report of there being no passengers ('didn't realise you flew them empty dear!'), all down to the skewed reporting in 7days!