Request - British Airways A318 crew familiar with London City...

[BeachAV8R]

Hello!

Chris "BeachAV8R" Frishmuth here soliciting for some contact information. I'm looking for any current or former British Airways A318 pilots that would like to participate in a short interview. I have a few questions for an article on the challenges of flying the steep approach into London City. The article will appear in a future issue of PC Pilot magazine. The article is one in a series of articles featuring some of the world's challenging airports and how PC simulator enthusiasts can replicate the real world experiences. Past articles have included St. Barts, Lukla, Courchevel, and Toncontin.

Sample: St. Barts (http://www.mudspike.com/PCBARTS-2B.jpg)

If you'd like to participate, or if anyone has some contact information for a likely candidate (uh..like a British Airways pilot), I'd appreciate a message.

I had a great time in the most recent article interviewing some former Tyrolean Airways Dash 7 pilots that used to shoehorn that beast into the tiny strip at Courchevel. Their contributions and insight into those operations definitely helped our readers appreciate the unique challenges that operation entailed.

Any assistance in finding a good candidate would be greatly appreciated...

Regards,
Chris Frishmuth

[Longhitter]

There's quite a few E190/170, Avro RJ, FK50, Q400 and ATR pilots around who've been doing it for years. Why does it have to be a scarebus pilot?

[BeachAV8R]

Well, it has to be an A318 because that is the specific aircraft that the article will feature. We pair together an add-on aircraft (usually retail) for Microsoft Flight Simulator with add-on scenery (usually retail) to provide our readers with a combination that provides as realistic conditions as the simulator can recreate.

Interestingly the BAe 146 was my first choice for pairing with London City, but there is not an ultra-high detail modeled one available for FSX at this time. (There is one in the works, but it is not ready for release yet.) Also, the A318 is a quirky airplane for that operation since it does offer a unique service (JFK) with a highly unusual seating configuration.

No disrespect intended or implied to the other professionals that shoehorn their respective aircraft into LCY each day...

:ok:

Regards,
BeachAV8R

[BeachAV8R]

Here is a screenshot of the Wilco A318 that will be featured in the article...

http://www.mudspike.com/ba1.jpg

Still looking for a BA A318 LCY crewmember though.. :ok:

BeachAV8R

[tubby linton]

There was an article in the Balpa Log about it. Try asking them for a copy.
[email protected]

[BALLSOUT]

I think it most unlikely that any current 318 pilot will want to risk loosing their job by talking to you, I think you will find their contract of employment states all comunications of this nature must be via the BA press office. That's what mine said when I flew an RJ there for them!

[BeachAV8R]

I have plenty of information on the how and why of flying the A318 steep approach based on the manufacturers own documentation:

LINK (http://www.smartcockpit.com/data/pdfs/plane/airbus/A320/misc/A318_Steep_Approach_Operations.pdf)

A sentence or two of commentary by current or former pilots (even anonymously stated) such as "flying the steep approach into LCY in the capable A318 is one of the highlights of my career..." just adds some personalization to the article.

I can certainly understand a reluctance to participate based on the terms of the pilot contract. It is a shame our business is now so unapproachable in many cases to the general public (ie - no cockpit visits, fear of HR, etc..). Such is the way of progress.

Thanks...
BeachAV8R