Are You A Flasher?
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Are You A Flasher?
Cruising along through the middle of the night and an opposite direction aircraft 'flashes' his landing lights at you. Do you:
a) Flash back; or
b) Shake your head, mutter the word 'tool' under your breath and go back to reading the paper.
For those who answer 'a'.. My question.. WHY?
I am without exception someone who answers 'b'. Those who i've flown with who 'flash back' or are in fact 'intial flashers' could not give me any reason let alone a good reason as to why they flash, understating my use of the word 'tool'.
It seems to happen more in Asia than in Europe and Australia, with Africa somwhere in between. I can't recall ever seeing it in the US but I think most of my US flying has been through the day.. So, is it cultural? I mean it can't be an awareness thing, i've seen you coming on TCAS for the last 5 minutes. And if the flashers are 'saying hello', then why don't you 'say hello' during the day?
a) Flash back; or
b) Shake your head, mutter the word 'tool' under your breath and go back to reading the paper.
For those who answer 'a'.. My question.. WHY?
I am without exception someone who answers 'b'. Those who i've flown with who 'flash back' or are in fact 'intial flashers' could not give me any reason let alone a good reason as to why they flash, understating my use of the word 'tool'.
It seems to happen more in Asia than in Europe and Australia, with Africa somwhere in between. I can't recall ever seeing it in the US but I think most of my US flying has been through the day.. So, is it cultural? I mean it can't be an awareness thing, i've seen you coming on TCAS for the last 5 minutes. And if the flashers are 'saying hello', then why don't you 'say hello' during the day?
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well-said (on a slow news day...)
Congratulations, VP, you hit the nail on the head; that is exactly what I also do with these flashing jobsworths: mutter, "Moron." And go back to the crossword. 
These numpties flying around India can't get their R/T anywhere near even approximating correct or standard, can't remember to use their callsign most of the time but they always manage to get the landing lights on when you fly past.
I'd never seen this somehow ever-so slightly 'gay' habit before I came here.
I now include it in my brief to the other guy, now that we're flush with half-trained DECs and FOs: "For the love of god, follow the SOPs and do NOT initiate any flashings!!"
By the way, nice grammar. Are you sure you're a pilot? Although you did let yourself down a little with the lower case "i" as in "i've."
These numpties flying around India can't get their R/T anywhere near even approximating correct or standard, can't remember to use their callsign most of the time but they always manage to get the landing lights on when you fly past. I'd never seen this somehow ever-so slightly 'gay' habit before I came here.
I now include it in my brief to the other guy, now that we're flush with half-trained DECs and FOs: "For the love of god, follow the SOPs and do NOT initiate any flashings!!"
By the way, nice grammar. Are you sure you're a pilot? Although you did let yourself down a little with the lower case "i" as in "i've."
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flashing the lights
In a time gone by, when there were NO TCAS and many regions were still HF radio contact, it was a way of just situation awareness, and in the middle of the night, Hay, how is it going. Probably still a hold over. I knew many crews that did it, and they were not particularly morons or tools. Guess times have changed, as it does. But I think you should get an RC helicopter in your spare time, and perhaps a dog to beat on the weekends.
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And you think the TCAS is correctly calibrated on those old Russki heaps flying RVSM in Africa
Silly thing to do though in 'working' airspace, but having had 3 different aeroplanes (one flying outbound along the localiser at my inbound level, one in restricted airspace where he wasn't supposed to be and the last bust his level in Brussels airspace and very nearly took us out) try to hit me over my career I'm inclined to let others know where I am....
Silly thing to do though in 'working' airspace, but having had 3 different aeroplanes (one flying outbound along the localiser at my inbound level, one in restricted airspace where he wasn't supposed to be and the last bust his level in Brussels airspace and very nearly took us out) try to hit me over my career I'm inclined to let others know where I am....
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I don't do it -by the time you see someone's flash, you would be very unlikely to be able to change the flightpath enough to avoid him by much, if at all, so it's just an interuption.
But, the thing that anooys most is that the morons who do flash, seem to do so without any reasona s to why, when quizzed. Hmmm...doing things by rote...a long and unsuccessful method of operating in avaition!
But, the thing that anooys most is that the morons who do flash, seem to do so without any reasona s to why, when quizzed. Hmmm...doing things by rote...a long and unsuccessful method of operating in avaition!
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Lord flash ard
I think it also subjects the lights to unneccesary thermal shock ( -56 deg to a couple of hundred in a few seconds) and the more cycles the more incandescent bulbs burn out.. just like at home..
but that would be my practical take on why not to do it..
but agree with the dog/maid/wife to beat or R/C chopper to keep boys busy...
woodj
but that would be my practical take on why not to do it..
but agree with the dog/maid/wife to beat or R/C chopper to keep boys busy...
woodj
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Silly thing to do though in 'working' airspace, but having had 3 different aeroplanes (one flying outbound along the localiser at my inbound level, one in restricted airspace where he wasn't supposed to be and the last bust his level in Brussels airspace and very nearly took us out) try to hit me over my career I'm inclined to let others know where I am....
Many new folks, who have never been in such situations are just plain mis-informed.
Out over Africa, I always figured that if another passing aeroplane did not return the passing flash, the crews were either asleep (likely) or both were staring at the FMS, wondering...'what the heck is it doing now' (more likely).
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No, some of us are still working away at the "quick" crossword while casting a lazy eye at the tool moving toward us with his high beams on, who has been visible on TCAS for the last little while.
Woodja although you espouse wife-beating (a noble pursuit) as an alternative to posting this topic, it is noted you have still seen fit to reply with your thoughts on the matter!
As for the thermal shock, have you ever noticed how those who remain cool and refuse to 'flash' you still appear to have the landing lights on, albeit much dimmer? I believe this is because most (modern) jets have the things on permanently on a low power setting but bright enough still to be seen.
I admit this won't help with the coconuts flying around Africa in claptraps. And I also admit they're probably more likely to be all over the place like a mad woman's poop, too. But still........... tools.
The answer has already been stated, and quite succinctly so: "It's learned fom other morons."
Woodja although you espouse wife-beating (a noble pursuit) as an alternative to posting this topic, it is noted you have still seen fit to reply with your thoughts on the matter!
As for the thermal shock, have you ever noticed how those who remain cool and refuse to 'flash' you still appear to have the landing lights on, albeit much dimmer? I believe this is because most (modern) jets have the things on permanently on a low power setting but bright enough still to be seen.
I admit this won't help with the coconuts flying around Africa in claptraps. And I also admit they're probably more likely to be all over the place like a mad woman's poop, too. But still........... tools.
The answer has already been stated, and quite succinctly so: "It's learned fom other morons."
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Its true.. Plenty of time on my hands today. With no traffic on the roads my return trip to Spinney's only took 30 mins instead of the usual 90. The wind is still at least 3 weeks away so no kiting, and UFC 91 still has 30 minutes of downloading to go. The RC helicopter is sitting broken in the top of my cupboard, the wife is at work, we've no need for a maid and my complete disdain for yappy dogs means there'll be no dog in this apartment. So, a discussion with my colleagues on the merits (or distinct lack there of), of 'flashing' seems to be in order. 
White Knight pushes the awareness barrow when in 'questionable' airspace. I see that as a fair call. TCAS is not perfect, 126.9 is only helpful if it's tuned in and used correctly, and we've all had an experience that was closer than we would have liked. But is flashing the answer? To flash suggests that one has to have spotted the other first. And why only at night? Wouldn't a better idea, if awareness was really an issue, to fly around with all exterior lights illuminated when in 'questionable' airspace? (Not such a bad idea but I doubt the bean counters would like it
)
Woodj, as far as I know, thermal shock is not an issue as the lights are on 'low' all the time anyhow. Have a closer look at for the glow coming from the lights of the next opposite direction 'non-flashing' aircraft that overflys you by 1000'.
And lastly, NZ x man, if it is a 'Hay, how is it going', then sweet. This is what I'm trying to find out. Unfortunately, the 'sheep' I questioned did not have such courteous intentions.
White Knight pushes the awareness barrow when in 'questionable' airspace. I see that as a fair call. TCAS is not perfect, 126.9 is only helpful if it's tuned in and used correctly, and we've all had an experience that was closer than we would have liked. But is flashing the answer? To flash suggests that one has to have spotted the other first. And why only at night? Wouldn't a better idea, if awareness was really an issue, to fly around with all exterior lights illuminated when in 'questionable' airspace? (Not such a bad idea but I doubt the bean counters would like it
)Woodj, as far as I know, thermal shock is not an issue as the lights are on 'low' all the time anyhow. Have a closer look at for the glow coming from the lights of the next opposite direction 'non-flashing' aircraft that overflys you by 1000'.
And lastly, NZ x man, if it is a 'Hay, how is it going', then sweet. This is what I'm trying to find out. Unfortunately, the 'sheep' I questioned did not have such courteous intentions.
Last edited by Visual Procedures; 9th Dec 2008 at 09:52. Reason: Had to capitalise my 'i' in 'I'm' :)
I flash sometimes on a dark night over Africa or water !
Same as I might say g'day to a stranger as i pass on a foot path.
I don't chat on 121.5 and I don't care if you don't flash back.
I guess the habit started years back when long distance truckers driving across the Nullabor Plains in Western Australia used to call up the media and report UFO's.
Perhaps we could train to do it !
Same as I might say g'day to a stranger as i pass on a foot path.
I don't chat on 121.5 and I don't care if you don't flash back.
I guess the habit started years back when long distance truckers driving across the Nullabor Plains in Western Australia used to call up the media and report UFO's.
Perhaps we could train to do it !
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It's a "gidday" - sort of like the small wave when passing by an oncoming vehicle on a country road. Probably meant a lot more in the "old" days when there weren't so many aeroplanes in the sky and passing someone else was a novelty.
Of course now that I know how much it annoys people, I'm going to be a 500 knot, 30000 feet high Las Vegas
(and I'll do it in the sim too - just to be consistent)
Of course now that I know how much it annoys people, I'm going to be a 500 knot, 30000 feet high Las Vegas
(and I'll do it in the sim too - just to be consistent)
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.Aero - just how often are you in the cruise in the sim, with traffic to boot..... Only time I see another 'plane in the sim is the TCAS just after take-off that EK training think is a new idea every phase
, with traffic to boot..... Only time I see another 'plane in the sim is the TCAS just after take-off that EK training think is a new idea every phase
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Strobing
Well I must admit that I flash. An old habit to see and be seen. I used to do it on helicopters too, but that was more of a strobe effect due to the vibrations. The point Fluke made about chat on 121.5 is far more annoying, and far more serious than the occasional 'good evening' light beams.
Perhaps one day when the person that is asking for a position report relay on an emergency channel will be down there in a dinghy using his last fading transmission, to be then stepped on by some @rsehole.
P.S. I am not a badge holding member of the Guard Police, but I feel like joining sometimes.
Perhaps one day when the person that is asking for a position report relay on an emergency channel will be down there in a dinghy using his last fading transmission, to be then stepped on by some @rsehole.
P.S. I am not a badge holding member of the Guard Police, but I feel like joining sometimes.
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I like flashing. It's just a greeting.
And there's no mention of lights flashing in my manuals, nor in the checklists.
And I never trained for it in the sim.
But I'm not a perfect pilot....
And there's no mention of lights flashing in my manuals, nor in the checklists.
And I never trained for it in the sim.
But I'm not a perfect pilot....
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So in summary..
We have some 'tools' and 'morons' flashing because they're drawn in like sheep. We have some Aussies and Kiwis living in happy happy land flashing away to say g'day to anyone who cares to look up from their newspaper, and we have some guys flying around on the edge of their seats, with one white knuckled finger hovering over the autopilot disconnect and the other on the landing lights poised to flash at any light, be it aircraft, satellite or shooting star, all in the name of 'awareness'..
But to all you flashers out there.. Why not flash in the day?
Do you not greet others unless under the cover of darkness?
Do ships not pass in the day as well?
Isn't an aircraft harder to see in the day than in the night?
We have some 'tools' and 'morons' flashing because they're drawn in like sheep. We have some Aussies and Kiwis living in happy happy land flashing away to say g'day to anyone who cares to look up from their newspaper, and we have some guys flying around on the edge of their seats, with one white knuckled finger hovering over the autopilot disconnect and the other on the landing lights poised to flash at any light, be it aircraft, satellite or shooting star, all in the name of 'awareness'..
But to all you flashers out there.. Why not flash in the day?
Do you not greet others unless under the cover of darkness?
Do ships not pass in the day as well?
Isn't an aircraft harder to see in the day than in the night?