FNPL, Egelsbach.... the PIC was an owner pilot and a very reputable friend of mine knew the guy in question well and what he told me about this guy means one thing to me: no matter how big a team in the background would have been, this guy would not have consulted it. That is a character problem and not a problem of organization. IMO. When I hit my workload threshold I have no prob grabbing the satphone and call "my" provider to lend me a hand. Happens seldom, but sometimes it does.

Phil, should I come across as the 'I know it all type' keep in mind I´m a kraut, the foremost contender in the subject of being blunt.

Honestly now, I just voice my opinion based on MY experience. Having said that, it does not mean I´m a skygod or otherwise without fail.

Then he shouldn't be a commander on an aircraft. :ugh:


Arrogance on the flight deck has killed many people. Most decent pilots will do exactly what you do and use the resources available to ensure a safe operation.

The days of the hero, know it all pilot are thankfully over. It's a collaborative effort from a wider spectrum of aviation professionals.

Interesting discussion I seem to have sparked off, I did receive a lot of PMs with various offers of discussion. I haven't replied to most yet, I have been very busy recently and obviously this is quite a complex area so I need to wait until have a bit of spare bandwidth to deal with it - thank you to those that messaged me.

And now from a rank outsider!
C.T has either won the lottery.
inherited big-time
had a total nervous breakdown
has delusions of grandeur
Perhaps he's a self-indulgent egotist as well! :}

Reading the rest of this thread, It is crystal -clear that ALL EXPERIENCED, PROFESSIONAL OPERATORS AGREE.....It is more expensive to own than to rent.

Am I missing something? Don't give me the "convenience" angle :8
If the bloody thing's out on charter, it's not available to you.
(OK, you could snatch back your toy , ONCE ! )
There is a market surplus, That's self-evident, otherwise there wouldn't be loss-making competition to flog usage.

Surely, this confirms the sage advice,
"If it Flies, Floats or F***s, It's cheaper to rent"