Flying Instructors using the title Captain
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
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As someone has already mentioned, the Captain of a small fishing boat has the same title as the Captain of the QEII
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I recall a RAF VC10 where the CAPTAIN was a Flying Officer, the co-pilot a Squadron Leader, the engineer and navigator were both Flight Lieutenants.
The captain was the most junior member of the crew, only had one bar (not gold) and was paid the least, but he had signed for the aircraft, so had more responsibility than any of the others.
In the case of Nimrods, many CAPTAINS are not even pilots!
The captain was the most junior member of the crew, only had one bar (not gold) and was paid the least, but he had signed for the aircraft, so had more responsibility than any of the others.
In the case of Nimrods, many CAPTAINS are not even pilots!
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Apropos nothing in particular, I wrote to an MSP on a GA issue, and signed myself simply by my first name, one of the middle initials, and surname, as usual.
An acknowledgement came by return of post (virtually) - amazing enough in itself. However, it was clearly addressed to Captain DRJAD - which very much impressed the postperson, and caused considerable amusement to Mrs DRJAD!
An acknowledgement came by return of post (virtually) - amazing enough in itself. However, it was clearly addressed to Captain DRJAD - which very much impressed the postperson, and caused considerable amusement to Mrs DRJAD!
ECON cruise, LR cruise...
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...does that mean that - if I take a trial lesson in one of these so-called "helicopters" - I can have a certificate that states:
"HRH Captain Whirlybird conducted the blah-blah-blah displaying great blah-blah above & beyond her blah-blah-blah, now never do that again you fixed-wing blah-blah tw*t"
Damn, that's almost worth the 400 quid you'd probably charge me - where does one sign up?
Empty
"HRH Captain Whirlybird conducted the blah-blah-blah displaying great blah-blah above & beyond her blah-blah-blah, now never do that again you fixed-wing blah-blah tw*t"
Damn, that's almost worth the 400 quid you'd probably charge me - where does one sign up?
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I'matightbastard
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Interesting question.
Perhaps one place where it might be appropriate would be in one of those zero to ATP flight schools.
Setting a professional environment in the a/c etc teaching skills the way you're going to use them. Hopefully it would stop once the lesson stopped though.
In a nice relaxed chummy sort of setting I think it'd be too embarassing to even try.
I wrote cummy by mistake
Perhaps one place where it might be appropriate would be in one of those zero to ATP flight schools.
Setting a professional environment in the a/c etc teaching skills the way you're going to use them. Hopefully it would stop once the lesson stopped though.
In a nice relaxed chummy sort of setting I think it'd be too embarassing to even try.
I wrote cummy by mistake
Thread Starter
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........ David Beckham is Captain of the England team but I have not heard of him being referred to as Captain Beckham.
I've heard of Captain Mark Phillips don't think he is a flying instructor
I've heard of Captain Mark Phillips don't think he is a flying instructor
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My best mate at college was brother of Pete Goss the famous sailor. When we were at college, Pete was a sail training "Captain" in the marines even though he was low ranking. His job was to teach officers to sail and work as a team. Whilst on board any rank was under his command and subject to his (wickedly humorous) discipline ... which was often dished out to bring them down to earth! 
I think a civvie flying instructor is a bit different though, and calling one captain is a wee bit OTT
SS
I think a civvie flying instructor is a bit different though, and calling one captain is a wee bit OTT
SS
Uncle Pete
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I feel that as I've never held a commission the rank of Captain was something given to me by my Company. It is up to the Company to decide how it wants it's employees addressed. When I was doing my CPL course a AST Perth back in the sixties all flying instructors had to addressed as Captain.
Indeed, on retirement I received a letter from my Operation Director, signed by him, addressing me as MR.
Fine, 'cos that's what I am and always will be and I feel it deceitful to use the title Captain. If I'm trying to get a better room for me and the Mrs at a hotel I sometimes refer to myself as a former airline captain, i.e. job not title.
MP
Indeed, on retirement I received a letter from my Operation Director, signed by him, addressing me as MR.
Fine, 'cos that's what I am and always will be and I feel it deceitful to use the title Captain. If I'm trying to get a better room for me and the Mrs at a hotel I sometimes refer to myself as a former airline captain, i.e. job not title.
MP
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What is a Captain anyway?
All who are pilot in command are captaining of some sort. These commanders all share the same airspace, and have the same responsibility as a Boeing driver.
A Captain is a measure of responsibility and maturity. I hope all pilots take the same pride in their flying.
A Captain is a measure of responsibility and maturity. I hope all pilots take the same pride in their flying.
Last edited by What time is ECT?; 17th May 2005 at 07:06.
Join Date: Mar 2005
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There are a lot of arrogant people in the UK who are working in entry level flying jobs. It is quite often their downfall. The place I work now hired a guy a year or so ago, he had less than 500hrs and was being trained to fly single pilot in a twin turboprop. He told everyone who would listen and I do mean everyone, that he was the captain although not for long as it was just a temporary thing until he decides which airline to work for. He wasn't even checked out yet, his attitude got him swiftly replaced. If I got an instructor who demanded to be called captain, I would call him a tosser and ask for another instructor. Even in things like 747's the Capt never asks to be called captain x. I think the reason some people in a 150 or similar want to be called capt is because they have an ego problem that is made worse because they are in a small plane. Also very strange when people wear 4 bars when they don't have to.
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There are a lot of arrogant people in the UK who are working in entry level flying jobs
Or is it that there are other higher level operatives who are arrogant and don't want their perceived status diluted?
What people want to be called and what they wear is up to them.
Regards,
DFC
Or is it that there are other higher level operatives who are arrogant and don't want their perceived status diluted?
What people want to be called and what they wear is up to them.
Regards,
DFC
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Of course what people want to be called and what they wear is their decision but to insist on being called captain at any level of flying (military not included) in my opinion shows an ego problem that could be unsafe if it goes further than just the title. I may be completly wrong but if I had a flying instructor who insisted on being called captain x I would not want to fly with him becase he may be so far up his own ass that it would compromise safety should a problem arise. I have tought students who had egos and it is one of the most unsafe attitudes to have, some of them may now be instructors and I would not want them teaching me if they had a chip on their shoulder with 20hrs because by now with 250 they will probably be the best pilot in the world and want to be called captain.
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Did anyone bother to consult a dictionary? A Captain is the leader of a crew or team, e.g. Darts Captain, Football Captain, Airline Captain. No Crew, no Captain. The pilot of a single pilot aircraft with no crew is the Pilot in Command, not the Captain. A student does not qualify as being crew.
In 39 years I have never encountered an Airline Captain who insisted upon being called Captain (although I'm sure that some exist). It is a very convenient title to call them if you don't know their name.
To address a question raised many posts ago in this thread, Captain is the lowest rank in the armed forces in the British Commonwealth, which one may retain as their title upon leaving the armed services.
What's next? - First Aid certificate holders calling themselves Doctor seems reasonable.
Regards,
Old Smokey
In 39 years I have never encountered an Airline Captain who insisted upon being called Captain (although I'm sure that some exist). It is a very convenient title to call them if you don't know their name.
To address a question raised many posts ago in this thread, Captain is the lowest rank in the armed forces in the British Commonwealth, which one may retain as their title upon leaving the armed services.
What's next? - First Aid certificate holders calling themselves Doctor seems reasonable.
Regards,
Old Smokey
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A student does not qualify as being crew
The students is part of the crew - they are an essential part of an instructional flight - if an instructor was paid to carry a passenger then that would be public transport!
Did anyone bother to consult a dictionary
Not until now but here is one option from the Oxford Dictionary
"the pilot of a civil aircraft"
I am sure that of all the people who object not one are professional airline captains.........more likely as I said previously, lesser pilots who think that an ATPL (which they obtained on C150 aircraft) entitles them to be called Captain and take offence at pilots of other C150s who call them selves Captain but don't have a Cessna 150 ATPL!
Who cares (except the C150 ATPL holders)?
Regards,
DFC
The students is part of the crew - they are an essential part of an instructional flight - if an instructor was paid to carry a passenger then that would be public transport!
Did anyone bother to consult a dictionary
Not until now but here is one option from the Oxford Dictionary
"the pilot of a civil aircraft"
I am sure that of all the people who object not one are professional airline captains.........more likely as I said previously, lesser pilots who think that an ATPL (which they obtained on C150 aircraft) entitles them to be called Captain and take offence at pilots of other C150s who call them selves Captain but don't have a Cessna 150 ATPL!
Who cares (except the C150 ATPL holders)?
Regards,
DFC
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I am sure that of all the people who object not one are professional airline captains.........more likely as I said previously, lesser pilots who think that an ATPL (which they obtained on C150 aircraft) entitles them to be called Captain and take offence at pilots of other C150s who call them selves Captain but don't have a Cessna 150 ATPL!
By saying lesser pilots with an atpl above you have just launched yourself into my book of people with an ego problem. You think that because someone dosent work for an airline they are lesser pilots. You tosser, you have obviously never been out into the real world. Do you think it is more demanding to fly a 747 to japan or a Piper Chieftan from LA to Oakland single pilot at night, full of freight, in the clouds with a broken autopilot in the middle of winter. You have no idea and to make a comment like that just goes to show how sheltered your career so far has been, let me guess, integrated course and now you instruct. Never think someone is a lesser pilot going by what they fly or do. You have also hit upon the problem with lots of people, get an ATPL(frozen) and try to get a job with an airline, don't make it so they complain about how hard it is to get a job because they don't want to be a lesser pilot and fly a smaller plane.
As I said before, so many idiots out there in UK aviation.