Passing the time on long transits
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Australia
Age: 64
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There are reports that a remote controlled helicopter set a record for the highest altitude attained in Australian airspace in the back of an empty C-17, returning to Amberley from Singapore. 
On the VC10 C Mk 1, quiet moments in transit would often lead to the words "Sooooo, co-pilot....." in a Scottish accent, followed by some obscure requirement from a certain training captain......
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: M4 Corridor
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Fings Ter Do
Sometimes on a transit when the freight bay was empty there were several uncorroborated "world records" down the back.
The height record for unicycle riding - strangely enough by the captain.
The highest altitude for a pipe band playing, tap dancing (which nearly threw the autopilot out) and many more. I'm sure there are some interesting ones out there as yet unknown.
The height record for unicycle riding - strangely enough by the captain.
The highest altitude for a pipe band playing, tap dancing (which nearly threw the autopilot out) and many more. I'm sure there are some interesting ones out there as yet unknown.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SWAPS Inner
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Playing Battleships on the mighty 'rod in transit across the US. After some time, confused admin wallah and padre passengering in galley stops a passing crewmember and asks "where are all these ships you lot are talking about on the intercom, I can't see any?"
Same padre visits P3K cockpit later on same det to be shocked at the low level 'greeny (
)' entertainment at 250' in the cockpit....
Same padre visits P3K cockpit later on same det to be shocked at the low level 'greeny (
)' entertainment at 250' in the cockpit....
A travel Scrabble board would fit nicely on the fuel panel of the Victor. But you needed fuel in the fuselage group to do that, or the switches would be pointing down and the board wouldn't stay put. The fuselage was usually the first to be emptied for fatigue management reasons, so it needed some careful and non-SOP fuel management to play. I've no idea how many FI units were wasted on these games.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Darkest Shropshire
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Long Transits
The introduction of tankers with windows down the back introduced a whole new level of stress into AAR trails. I remember a trip back across the pond where each bracket would see every window packed with sympathetic "mates" doing everything in their power to put you off, because obviously a "miss" was a sign of weakness. The tanker crew were obviously open to bribery, because the last bracket was supposed to be discretionary, and in spite of the fact that we had more than enough to get home they insisted on "one more plug"! Still didn't miss though!
Fond memories of GG, who could be relied on for a call of "Adnams flowing" and pigeons to Southwold from the most obscure parts of the world!
Fond memories of GG, who could be relied on for a call of "Adnams flowing" and pigeons to Southwold from the most obscure parts of the world!
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: N London
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My experience is only as Kipper fleet ground crew.
Mostly standard stuff really, trying to get some sleep in vinyl seats, ugh or using the engine intake blanks to sleep on.
Doing as much of the After flight servicing as possible before it lands, to gain some extra drinking time, (easy for us comms people),
Copious amounts of coffee and tea drinking, smoking, avoiding the pipe smoking Flt Engineer who was banished down the back if he wanted a quiet puff, plenty of cards going on as well.
Trying to make honkers stew and failing miserably, Eating tinned strawberries and chocolate ice cream because the crew were on task and too busy to eat, Honest it did happen.
Wondering why we were all feeling queasy and seeing a FLM in the LH seat at the front with a headset on and a massive grin trying to keep the aircraft straight and level and failing.
Taking photos out of the window by the HF crate. I have a few good ones of the Slava.
One long and boring flight I replaced a lot of the intercom illuminating lamps. I must have been very bored.
My favorite one was using the kit in flight and learning a lot from the crew about the differences between testing on the ground and use in the air.
Yes going to Gib for the nth time that year was a pain but I would give my Rt Testicle to do it now.
Mostly standard stuff really, trying to get some sleep in vinyl seats, ugh or using the engine intake blanks to sleep on.
Doing as much of the After flight servicing as possible before it lands, to gain some extra drinking time, (easy for us comms people),
Copious amounts of coffee and tea drinking, smoking, avoiding the pipe smoking Flt Engineer who was banished down the back if he wanted a quiet puff, plenty of cards going on as well.
Trying to make honkers stew and failing miserably, Eating tinned strawberries and chocolate ice cream because the crew were on task and too busy to eat, Honest it did happen.
Wondering why we were all feeling queasy and seeing a FLM in the LH seat at the front with a headset on and a massive grin trying to keep the aircraft straight and level and failing.
Taking photos out of the window by the HF crate. I have a few good ones of the Slava.
One long and boring flight I replaced a lot of the intercom illuminating lamps. I must have been very bored.
My favorite one was using the kit in flight and learning a lot from the crew about the differences between testing on the ground and use in the air.
Yes going to Gib for the nth time that year was a pain but I would give my Rt Testicle to do it now.
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: UK
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Back of the Canberra. Take out long Perspex nav rule and put one end on the nav table directly in front of you where it met the instrument panel. When safely wedged in place lean forward and put the other end of the rule up against the brow of your helmet and then continue to move forward gently until the rule becomes jammed between the helmet and it's visor. Thus braced one could doze happily for an hour or two.
Particularly useful on West Drayton PIs.
Particularly useful on West Drayton PIs.
