Can I see up front please
Guest
Posts: n/a
Can I see up front please
When I was training for my PPL (a) (which I have since got) my instructor told me to "get in the front of a real jet" and have a look at the landing, PAPI's VASIS's and how things are really done from the flight deck.
I know it's post 9/11 so I tried to arrange a formal visit during a flight with easy jet when I last went to france. I did not even get a reply to my letter.
Now I'm going to New Zealand with Air Newzealand in late January. I hope to do a bit of flying there if I can. But, can I get to see the flight deck of the aircraft I am to fly in?? Is this possible to arrange at all. Who do I talk to and is it even safe to carry my brown licence on board the plane? what will security think of my wizz wheel? or my desire of seeing a real landing?
Any Air Newzealand Pilots wishing to comment???
Kellvin
I know it's post 9/11 so I tried to arrange a formal visit during a flight with easy jet when I last went to france. I did not even get a reply to my letter.
Now I'm going to New Zealand with Air Newzealand in late January. I hope to do a bit of flying there if I can. But, can I get to see the flight deck of the aircraft I am to fly in?? Is this possible to arrange at all. Who do I talk to and is it even safe to carry my brown licence on board the plane? what will security think of my wizz wheel? or my desire of seeing a real landing?
Any Air Newzealand Pilots wishing to comment???
Kellvin
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: surrey
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not an Air New Zealand pilot, but will comment anyway 
Unfortunately, your only chance of a look in the cockpit is when the aircraft is stationary on the ground, i.e. before or after the flight. The crew are generally too busy before, which just leaves after! You could ask cabin crew to request a visit after landing, or just ask as you leave the plane.
I foresee two extra problems for you:
1) The Captain and F/O will be tired after a long haul flight and will be keen to get home or to a hotel.
2) If the aircraft is a 747, you will have to blag your way upstairs through Business class (unless you are there already?).
Despitethe negativity of this post, I still recommend that you give it a go. I spent a very pleasant half hour in the right hand seat of a BA RJ100 at Monpelier after a diversion from Nice due to thunderstorms. The Captain showed me the systems, and how they compared to a C-152 (not very different really). Meanwhile the First Officer, who it turned out went to the same flying school as me, was supervising the refuelling, most of which went over his shoes.
Good luck,
TG.
Unfortunately, your only chance of a look in the cockpit is when the aircraft is stationary on the ground, i.e. before or after the flight. The crew are generally too busy before, which just leaves after! You could ask cabin crew to request a visit after landing, or just ask as you leave the plane.
I foresee two extra problems for you:
1) The Captain and F/O will be tired after a long haul flight and will be keen to get home or to a hotel.
2) If the aircraft is a 747, you will have to blag your way upstairs through Business class (unless you are there already?).
Despitethe negativity of this post, I still recommend that you give it a go. I spent a very pleasant half hour in the right hand seat of a BA RJ100 at Monpelier after a diversion from Nice due to thunderstorms. The Captain showed me the systems, and how they compared to a C-152 (not very different really). Meanwhile the First Officer, who it turned out went to the same flying school as me, was supervising the refuelling, most of which went over his shoes.
Good luck,
TG.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
or my desire of seeing a real landing?
my instructor told me to "get in the front of a real jet"
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: About 3000 below Midhurst SID I reckon
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I havent known of any airline allowing anyone but staff or CAA into the flightdeck since 9/11.
Licence or not, you could be a terrorist.
After all the persons responsible for 9/11 had licences. If you were operating an aircraft, wether on the ground or in the air, would you let anyone you didnt know near the controls??
The deck of a big jet can be quite boring during flight anyway.
If you are that keen, buy a video, you can get them by a/c type and it is literallly the whole flight.
Licence or not, you could be a terrorist.
After all the persons responsible for 9/11 had licences. If you were operating an aircraft, wether on the ground or in the air, would you let anyone you didnt know near the controls??
The deck of a big jet can be quite boring during flight anyway.
If you are that keen, buy a video, you can get them by a/c type and it is literallly the whole flight.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks for the advice,
I agree, licence or no licence I could be a terrorist and that sadly, is where it now stands. But, I will try to get up for a look anyway. Perhaps using the method mentioned after the flight.
Pilots in Cessna's and Pipers do indeed land the a/c but, I understand landing a large jet is quite different to a small prop. I hear the jet engine is not as responsive as the small prop and that the landing has a different tecnique to it as the wheels are in a further rear position to a cessna. (hence duel papi's) But, don't quote me on any of the above as I am not a expert on any aspect of flying let alone jets.
As for the video idea, don't have a television or a video and don't intend to get one. Besides, looking at a video cannot compare to the real thing for any situation.
Cheers and thanks all,
Kelvin
I agree, licence or no licence I could be a terrorist and that sadly, is where it now stands. But, I will try to get up for a look anyway. Perhaps using the method mentioned after the flight.
Pilots in Cessna's and Pipers do indeed land the a/c but, I understand landing a large jet is quite different to a small prop. I hear the jet engine is not as responsive as the small prop and that the landing has a different tecnique to it as the wheels are in a further rear position to a cessna. (hence duel papi's) But, don't quote me on any of the above as I am not a expert on any aspect of flying let alone jets.
As for the video idea, don't have a television or a video and don't intend to get one. Besides, looking at a video cannot compare to the real thing for any situation.
Cheers and thanks all,
Kelvin
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pilots in Cessna's and Pipers do indeed land the a/c but, I understand landing a large jet is quite different to a small prop.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Kelvin
You other option is to see if you can arrange a sim ride.
If you do a google search, you will probably find some brokers or owners who can do this and then you can get some handling too - I've done it and woujld thoroughly recommend the experience - but make sure you have a good instructor to help you.
Don't take any notice of Grant T's comments, you can learn an awful lot about flying from experience in any aeroplane and sim flying develops accuracy and discipline, if you take it seriously.
You other option is to see if you can arrange a sim ride.
If you do a google search, you will probably find some brokers or owners who can do this and then you can get some handling too - I've done it and woujld thoroughly recommend the experience - but make sure you have a good instructor to help you.
Don't take any notice of Grant T's comments, you can learn an awful lot about flying from experience in any aeroplane and sim flying develops accuracy and discipline, if you take it seriously.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I'v already bought my ticket chippy so I will just have to accept that it's not possible. But, have a nice big book on VOR's and another on meterelogy to read for the trip.
I will try to get a bit of flying in in NZ as well to compensate...but post 911 that seems troublesome as well.
The US is out for flying, canada the same, Next year I will fly UK only, it seems to be the last place with any sense left aviation wise.
Sim flying was an idea until somebody told me is costs about £400 per hour! Thats 4 hours in my cessna including landing. Plus, I want to go on to learn helicopters so will save the cash for that expensive game.
At the end of the day, it seems the UK is the best place to fly!
Thanks all for advice,
KD
I will try to get a bit of flying in in NZ as well to compensate...but post 911 that seems troublesome as well.
The US is out for flying, canada the same, Next year I will fly UK only, it seems to be the last place with any sense left aviation wise.
Sim flying was an idea until somebody told me is costs about £400 per hour! Thats 4 hours in my cessna including landing. Plus, I want to go on to learn helicopters so will save the cash for that expensive game.
At the end of the day, it seems the UK is the best place to fly!
Thanks all for advice,
KD
