My First Line Flight
 

Hi all,

Well, I did post on the 2nd of March, sharing my delight of landing my first airline job, and promising to continue contributing to PPRUNE. Whilst reading these forums I have always gained alot of enjoyment and encouragement from people who have taken the time to share their experiences, one that springs to mind was FFF CPL diary and various others. I hope this inspires people who are waiting for their first break, or people who are currently training. I thought this abbreviated 'days events' may be of interest to fellow trainee pilots.

So there I was, at the beginning of March, with a smile from ear to ear on my face knowing that I was going to be an airline pilot, however there was still alot of hard work ahead, and still is! On starting my new job, we embarked on the 2 day induction course, which really was a lot of fun. With the weekend off the following week was spent fighting fires, reviving plastic dummies, swimming with life jackets on, learning about security etc. 4 days in the simulator followed as a refresher course to prime us up for the company LPC/OPC. With that in the bag and 3 days off (as the guy in crewing said, 'this flying lark will get in the way of your days off' ;)) I was looking forward to my first line flight.

Arriving at LHR to pick up my airside pass, I was some 4 hours early, didn't want to be late! The whole day was quite magical. A dear friend of mine, who has been working for the company for 2 years had arranged it that he would be my safety pilot, which was fantastic. We had spent so many hours buzzing around in C152/PA28 and PA34's, and now that was going to change, we were in a 73.5 ton airliner! On meeting my training captain and looking at the weather, I was put at ease, with the emphasis on enjoying the day. With the cabin crew right behind us we headed out to the aircraft. Walking up the steps I could only think to myself, I have got to fly this big bugger! Anyway, cockpit preparation was complete and before we know it I am on the radio to LHR clearance delivery getting the clearance. The captain flew the first leg which gave me a chance to see what was going on, but no time relax the PNF role is the hard bit :).

We arrived at Manchester, and with a quick turn around, it was my turn to get my hands on this monster. I couldnt wait. Pushing back, and taxiing out, I was trying to remember all the SOP's as well as do the checks and remember the correct responses to the checklist. Lining up on 24R and standing up those thrust levers was what it was all about. Out the corner of my eye I could see a beaming smile coming from the jumpseat, I knew what he was thinking, this is what you have been waiting for! The roar of those gas turbines behind me was fantastic. In my mind I could hear the voice of various sim instructors saying 'STICK FORWARD' so didnt forget that on the take off roll. Very quickly I heard the call V1 then rotate, gradually lifting this big bird into the air with my right hand on the side stick. 12 years of hard work, since I gained my PPL, was being projected with a large smile on my face as I called for 'gear up'. The leg was over in a flash, before I knew it we were on the approach to 09L at LHR. The captain instructing me to take the autopilot out on the ILS and 'enjoy myself', well that went without saying :). I couldnt believe what I was doing, the M25 going underneath me, LHR airport in my 2 o'clock, T5 screaming pass the right hand window, this is what I have been waiting for, for the last 27 years of my life, it was great. Into the flare, it was definately an arrival, but the aircraft was in one piece. Arriving on stand and shutting the engines down, it was time to do it all over again.

I know this gets mentioned a lot on PPRUNE, but believe me, the determination, blood sweat and tears going through your training and trying to get a job certainly is worth it when you get there.

All the best, and happy landings.

Sounds great, well done Cat3_autoland, many congratulations on your achievement and all the best for the future.:ok:

Great post, very inspiring :ok:

WELL DONE CAT 3 AUTOLAND, YOUR PERSEVERANCE SHONE THROUGH. BEST OF LUCK WITH THE REST OF YOUR FLYING CREER. HOPE WE ALL GET THERE SOME DAY??????????/:ugh: :rolleyes:

Well done Andy!! So pleased for you mate, you deserve it!
.....only problem now is that you won't want to come flying in my tractor with me now :sad:

Thanks for the responses guys.

Slayer, I always have time to fly with you in your tractor :ok:. See you soon.

Well I can't deny it, that perked me up a bit.

Congrats CAT3. Don't forget to keep us posted :ok:

Congrats
 

CAT3,

Fantastic post. All the best for the future. Enjoy.....

I smiled the whole time reading that!! Well done CAT3.

:ok:

great post - it really gives you a boost to know that people do make it after all that hard work!

Nice one Sir Shiney. :D When does the airbus vs boeing punch up take place in a bar in the vicinity of camberley?

A brilliant post to read!
Well done and good luck for the future.

Excellent post Cat3C.

Well done, great read.

Great post...I'm jealous though!!:D

Thanks for the comments chaps and chapesses.

Average Bloke, very soon sir. Let me settle in with this flying computer and we will sort something out.

congrat,if you like it, good for you...

but i am not jealous at all(like pielord).
I did that recently, and I think that flying a big bird is just boring.

4 legs a day, waiting in the cockpit 50 minutes for pax coming.
making stupid jokes with flight attendants between flights, and flying on AP2 or AP1 with the FMG right after take off is totally a waste of your time.
I don't talk about the Flight Director you have to follow like a monkey...

I have spent years to discover what this job is, and if I do it, it is only for money and not for the flying part .I like flying, but this type of flying (for airlines)is not fun at all!

my dream planes are pilatus,king air,mooney, or light jets...

Dartagnan, first of all I wasn't intending for this post to make anyone feel jealous, I was just trying to share my enthusiasm.

Secondly, if you feel like that, perhaps you should throw in the towel, no point in being unhappy.

CAT3C AUTOLAND, excellent post - very inspiring :)

1 question though, what type of a/c were you flying during the day?

sorry, I was just telling you my own feeling and my own desperation.
landing the big bird is great and I loved it too... but I have discovered the real side of this job.it is a job!and you are right, I will throw the towel for smaller planes soon.

rick 0:I think he is on an airbus(he talk about "stick"forward)

I'm guessing, from the reference to sidesticks earlier and the weight (presumably TO weight), probably an A321?

Am I close CAT3C?

Well done CAT3C AUTOLAND, very happy for you;)

Keep enjoying it!!! It's a wonderful job...

Dartagnan you should maybe ride your horse and leave the sky free for us...

congrats!
bri1980 - minus two from your guessed aircraft type and I think you would be on the money! (MTOM)

Great post CAT3, will see you in the Queens Building or Stockley from June. Just received the dreaded forms this morning......what a nightmare!!:ugh:

Can't wait now!!

tom775257: If it's MTOM we are talking about (not actual TOW) then I agree!

B

Well Done CAT3CAUTOLAND Great post I have just completed my ppl and have aspirations of becoming an airline pilot, your post certainly beats all the negative stuff that goes on here, so well done for that and well done with the job.

Well done CAT3C, and thanks for sharing the experience - it's inspiring reading for the rest of us. :ok:

I can picture the grin . . . :E

Well done ASWAD. Great post and bought back memories of my first line flight. Dont worry about Average Bloke...........we will take him down in Camberley!

The Cav:cool:

Hey Guys/Gals,

Its great to have so many responses, didnt expect this.

To answer some questions, PML, I remember when I did my PPL some 12 years ago, it was all very exciting, I still have on my PPL pictures, god I was alot thinner in those days :eek:.

Bri, all Airbus's in the series, A319, A320 and A321.

Cav, nice to hear from you mate, when are you coming home again?

Anyway, must get some sleep, have to be up at 03:50 for the early Amsterdams :ok:.

cav - good to hear from you. but you should know that it takes horse tranquillisers to put me down!

did my first line flight today, only one word - AWESOME :ok:

Well done Andy

Sounds like a busy but fun time!!!

:ok:

Well done lad.

But I must say that reading dartagnan's posts is like reading my mind!! I'm not long in the job and I am glad i've done it but by god it is boring. Doesn't matter where your flying to, every god damn trip is the same. Cant wait to find a job on a light twin!:ugh:

TolTol,

Its an interesting point I guess. My heart really is in this game, has been for a long time. Even when I was flying the same routes, teaching the same lessons whilst I was a flying instructor, I can put my hand on my heart and say I never went to work and didnt enjoy it. Actually, tell a lie, I wasnt impressed when I would turn up on a Saturday to learn I have a full day on Terrahawk doing trial lessons :eek:. God I hated that plane, especially when it was windy ;). I am sure it will be the same for flying Airbus's, enjoying it that is.

Anyway, hope you get your job on your light twin.

All the best.

While I can't say I share dartagnan's desperation, I empathise with Tol Tol. I spent years dreaming of flying, and my ultimate aim was to land a jet at LHR. Now thats accompished I can hardly beleive I made it, however, I have to say it was ever so slightly anticlimatic. Flying straight down an ILS somehow doesn't match the gratification I used to get from nailing a demo glide approaches in a light single onto a short grass strip in gusty winds. I really miss the oppourtunity to really manoeuvre a plane as I wish. On the other hand I get a kick out of seeing all the passengers get off and thinking I've just landed this jet with all these people on board and yet not long ago I was doing trial lessons in a cessna! I also love sitting in the cruise enjoying the view, feasting on all the data presented infront of me, all whilst sipping my cup of tea and earning in an hour what I was getting for a days work!

I certainly shan't be giving up my new position however, I simply spend some of the money I now have on flying for pleasure! Best of both worlds!

Well done CAT3C, your enthusiasm for flying shines through.....it's hardly suprising that a positive fellow like yourself has landed a job in the RHS for a major UK operator. Keep your stories coming, I for one (and I'm sure many others) would love to hear some more as you go through your line training.

Here Here
 

Totally agree,

Good informative descriptions like that keep us still in the pipe line going. A little motivator shall we say.

Keep'em coming folks.....

Great post from Mungo Man. I have great empathy with what he says! Also having worked with CAT3 I remember the days when he used to beg me to give him lessons in the Tomahawk. Especially stalling part two!
And average bloke who said anything about tranquilisers! You will be on your knees at the end of this footy season..........ha ha ha ha
Fly safe
The Cav:cool:

I think people are being unfair regarding Dartagnan, if not openly dismissive - I for one would applaud him for having the strength of character to admit he doesn't enjoy what he's currently doing. He's right, and I'm sure when you reach the level of experience that I'm presuming he has, you too may come round to his point of view. For now of course, if only weeks or months into it - sure, at the moment you may be full of arrogance and dismissal around such views and people - however, he is correct in that -especially big jet - airline flying is inherently dull by its very nature, as alas, are many of the people you will work alongside. You know that already but it's too early to face it. Telling him to go elsewhere won't change that fact. The trouble is, by nature you're bound to be bright people - in which case the cockpit of an airliner is perhaps the most stultifying place to be, unless given to ops-manual related pedantry.

On the other hand it's got many positives, the most immediate of which spring to my mind aren't even to do with flying, such as - in my case at least - rarely, if ever being stuck in endless rush hour traffic before you get stuck in endless aeroplane rush hour traffic. No regualar 9-5, and it goes on.

On balance, worth it - especially given the alternatives. Certainly not the be all and end all.

And finally, my congratualations.

I'm smiling for ya
 

CAT3C,

Quality post.

I'm soon to embark on quitting work and starting training, and am presently going through the rollercoaster of emotions of pride, excitement, pensiveness and sweaty-palmed fear, depending upon which aspects of past events and those yet to come I am thinking of.

Reading your post was a big reminder of what I have to work towards and look forward to.

Well done to you for your dogged determination and hard work, and thanks for sharing.

Just goes to show what can be achieved.

Best of luck to you and yours.

:D:D:D:D:D:D