More interesting take offs and landings?
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I actually like affirmative 738 landings, with the best landing and even better take off form Belfast City ( short runway). Perrrfect!
They re capable of a greaser though if conditions allow- memorable ones in Granada and Krakow in the last couple of years.
The most memorable ,stomach churning one, was a take off and climb in an old Dakota from San Jose ,Costa Rica .
They re capable of a greaser though if conditions allow- memorable ones in Granada and Krakow in the last couple of years.
The most memorable ,stomach churning one, was a take off and climb in an old Dakota from San Jose ,Costa Rica .
Wherefore Art I?
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Three (four landings) from me, and all on MD products...
Flying a RNO-PDX-SEA flight back in the mid '80s on the old Sunworld in a DC-9-10. Wx in Portland was summertime fine, minimal winds and such (no need to pound it down). Landing was "descend, descend, float, float, float, float, CRUNCH!" Enough for us pax to look at each other with questioning looks. Figured it was a one-time thing. Everyone has a few like that.
Well, not quite...
SEA was the same way. Nice descent, all lined up, "float, float, float, float, WHAM!!!" This time a guy called out from a few rows in front of me "Jesus Christ! Are you KIDDING me?!?"
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Mid '90s, STL-TPA on a TWA MD-80. Rainy afternoon in Tampa. Apparently, we weren't slowing down enough after touchdown, as the brakes locked up about halfway down the runway and we skidded and juddered to a halt. Turned around and went back to the taxiway we just passed and taxied in to the gate amid the smell of burning rubber and brakes. (There were at least two more taxiway exits ahead of us, so I don't think it was a simple brake-lockup; maybe there was a deer on the runway ahead of us...)
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Last year, flying CLT-ATL on another MD-80 (guess which airline). About 2 miles out, I felt a little "dip." I thought nothing of it (happens all the time in ATL), but the pilot came on the PA and shouted "Everyone turn off all your electronics NOW!!!" That got everyone looking at each other... Hit the runway hard, full brakes (enough that some items were falling out in the galley).
Usually the pilots will step out and say their goodbyes to the pax. But this door stayed shut for the entire deplaning. I was one of the last ones out, and I could hear the FA knocking on the door afterward asking if the pilots were okay and telling them everyone else was off...
Flying a RNO-PDX-SEA flight back in the mid '80s on the old Sunworld in a DC-9-10. Wx in Portland was summertime fine, minimal winds and such (no need to pound it down). Landing was "descend, descend, float, float, float, float, CRUNCH!" Enough for us pax to look at each other with questioning looks. Figured it was a one-time thing. Everyone has a few like that.
Well, not quite...
SEA was the same way. Nice descent, all lined up, "float, float, float, float, WHAM!!!" This time a guy called out from a few rows in front of me "Jesus Christ! Are you KIDDING me?!?"
------------
Mid '90s, STL-TPA on a TWA MD-80. Rainy afternoon in Tampa. Apparently, we weren't slowing down enough after touchdown, as the brakes locked up about halfway down the runway and we skidded and juddered to a halt. Turned around and went back to the taxiway we just passed and taxied in to the gate amid the smell of burning rubber and brakes. (There were at least two more taxiway exits ahead of us, so I don't think it was a simple brake-lockup; maybe there was a deer on the runway ahead of us...)
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Last year, flying CLT-ATL on another MD-80 (guess which airline). About 2 miles out, I felt a little "dip." I thought nothing of it (happens all the time in ATL), but the pilot came on the PA and shouted "Everyone turn off all your electronics NOW!!!" That got everyone looking at each other... Hit the runway hard, full brakes (enough that some items were falling out in the galley).
Usually the pilots will step out and say their goodbyes to the pax. But this door stayed shut for the entire deplaning. I was one of the last ones out, and I could hear the FA knocking on the door afterward asking if the pilots were okay and telling them everyone else was off...
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On an SAA flight into East London, a tricky airport, on a stormy night, the Captain announced that unfortunately conditions were not compatible with a smooth and safe landing and we'd overfly and continue to Durban. The words were barely out of his mouth when we started to descend as if in an express lift and just a few minutes later we were on the runway, and given the conditions, pretty smoothly.
"Well folks, we spotted a hole in the cloud and we went for it. Welcome to East London!"
Earlier in the same flight out of CPT he'd apologised for the turbulence and said that he was doing all possible to avoid it. The little old lady next to me said : "If he'd just slow down a little we'd all have a much smoother ride ....!" (What's the stall speed of a 737?)
"Well folks, we spotted a hole in the cloud and we went for it. Welcome to East London!"
Earlier in the same flight out of CPT he'd apologised for the turbulence and said that he was doing all possible to avoid it. The little old lady next to me said : "If he'd just slow down a little we'd all have a much smoother ride ....!" (What's the stall speed of a 737?)
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I have a couple of scary take off's and landings that I can remember. First one was when I was about 14 and was travelling to Madeira before the runway extension with my parents on a Monarch 737, the approach was very windy and the plane was lurching all over the place making last minute turns before hitting the tarmac hard and braking sharply. The plane attempting to land after us had 3 goes at landing before diverting to Porto Santo! The take off was great from Funchal, it was like being in a slingshot. The pilot really revved the engines up before letting go and we shot up with a steep climb, felt like your eyes were being sucked into the back of your head! After take off I made a complete pillock of myself as I noticed what appeared to be smoke coming from the overhead compartments and in particular dark black marks on the compartment nearest to me. I pressed the call button and the stewardess came over, I explained my concerns fearing the plane was on fire but was immediately re-assured by the stewardess who explained that the smoke was in fact the air conditioning system kicking in and the black marks were off her hands as she had loaded the free newspapers into that overhead compartment and she had got newspaper print on her hands!!! How stupid did I feel 
One uncomfortable experience was when we were coming into land at Skiathos airport again on a Monarch jet, this time an A321. We seemed to be approaching for ages before the plane started climbing and then descending then climbing steeply. The pilot came over the tannoy and said that the computer had indicated a fault with the flaps in that they had locked in one position and in his words "we would not have stayed on the runway in Skiathos" so we diverted to Thessalonika for an emergency landing which was squeeky bum time for all on board. We landed at one end of the runway and it felt like we didn't stop until we reached the other end!!! It was at that point I wanted to drink the contents of the duty free!
One uncomfortable experience was when we were coming into land at Skiathos airport again on a Monarch jet, this time an A321. We seemed to be approaching for ages before the plane started climbing and then descending then climbing steeply. The pilot came over the tannoy and said that the computer had indicated a fault with the flaps in that they had locked in one position and in his words "we would not have stayed on the runway in Skiathos" so we diverted to Thessalonika for an emergency landing which was squeeky bum time for all on board. We landed at one end of the runway and it felt like we didn't stop until we reached the other end!!! It was at that point I wanted to drink the contents of the duty free!
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Fun landings in Bern.
The late Swiss airline Air Engiadina (RQ, I think) used to make interesting landings at Bern in their shiny new Dornier 328s.
I personally experienced a combat spiral descent from around 8000ft, and a vertical dive and short landing from around the same height.
This was in 1996, I think. ATC must have been playing along, so I guess the driver must have been a military pilot, too.
Shortly afterwards an RQ crew rolled a 328 whilst on a photo shoot over Lake Geneva. (Un)fortunately someone spotted the manoevre and dobbed them in with the authorities. The company was obliged to carry out a somewhat detailed inspection of the aircraft in question, allegedly costing them around US250K
The airline didn't survive long after that. I miss them...
I personally experienced a combat spiral descent from around 8000ft, and a vertical dive and short landing from around the same height.
This was in 1996, I think. ATC must have been playing along, so I guess the driver must have been a military pilot, too.
Shortly afterwards an RQ crew rolled a 328 whilst on a photo shoot over Lake Geneva. (Un)fortunately someone spotted the manoevre and dobbed them in with the authorities. The company was obliged to carry out a somewhat detailed inspection of the aircraft in question, allegedly costing them around US250K
The airline didn't survive long after that. I miss them...
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a couple of flights come to mind.
A few years ago travelling from Belfast to Bristol on Go, it started badly. The gate agent called the first (or last rows) then forgot to call anyone else. Eventually everyone realised that she had forgotten, so wandered out.
Safety briefing was performed by the cabin crew, who were also trying to hold on as the captain teared around the airport taxiways. Captain eventually came on after takeoff apologising for the rushed takeoff. He was rather rude about the passenger agent!
It was a bumpy flight - and as we could see the runway approaching for landing the plane went back up. Captain blamed the airport ILS system for shutting down, and we went around to come back in from the other direction for a firm landing. Coming out of the airplane it was very windy, had to brace to stay upright.
Also a couple of years ago coming into London City in poor weather resulted in a definite firm landing, followed by what seemed like lurches in either direction, felt like we were skidding, although I suspect that is unlikely. It is a short runway so I guess most landings will be rather rushed.
A few years ago travelling from Belfast to Bristol on Go, it started badly. The gate agent called the first (or last rows) then forgot to call anyone else. Eventually everyone realised that she had forgotten, so wandered out.
Safety briefing was performed by the cabin crew, who were also trying to hold on as the captain teared around the airport taxiways. Captain eventually came on after takeoff apologising for the rushed takeoff. He was rather rude about the passenger agent!
It was a bumpy flight - and as we could see the runway approaching for landing the plane went back up. Captain blamed the airport ILS system for shutting down, and we went around to come back in from the other direction for a firm landing. Coming out of the airplane it was very windy, had to brace to stay upright.
Also a couple of years ago coming into London City in poor weather resulted in a definite firm landing, followed by what seemed like lurches in either direction, felt like we were skidding, although I suspect that is unlikely. It is a short runway so I guess most landings will be rather rushed.
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Just thought of another landing - at Coventry on T/Fly...
It was obviously very windy as the plane was moving around wildly as we descended and my normally blase wife (c/crew) turned to me and announced very quietly "I don't like the way this is moving around - this doesn't feel right at all"....and she's been flying for 20+ years as crew all over the world....
Up to that point I'd been enjoying the roller-coaster ride - after that I sat back in my seat, tightened my belt and gripped the arm-rest a little tighter...
It was obviously very windy as the plane was moving around wildly as we descended and my normally blase wife (c/crew) turned to me and announced very quietly "I don't like the way this is moving around - this doesn't feel right at all"....and she's been flying for 20+ years as crew all over the world....
Up to that point I'd been enjoying the roller-coaster ride - after that I sat back in my seat, tightened my belt and gripped the arm-rest a little tighter...
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The only time I've ever been really scared is when I was on a KLM 767 out of Schipol. The skipper had just released the crew in perfectly calm air when we seemingly fell out of the sky. It was as if we'd driven over a huge hole in the air, that's the only way I can describe it. I remember thinking 'oh crap, this is the big one' as the floor fell away from my feet. No sooner had it begun than it was all over and we were climbing normally. The skipper commanded the crew to buckle in again but the rest of the flight was smooth as silk. That was in the pre-9/11 days and upon visiting the flight deck the crew told me it was pretty severe CAT event, totally unforseen.
Since then, my seat belt remains fastened, always...
Since then, my seat belt remains fastened, always...
Paxing All Over The World
A 'go around' is the term for: On approach to landing, when the pilot in command decides that to actually land would be dangerous - for any reason. For example, there might be a sudden high wind from an acute angle, or heavy rain is advised by the tower. The decision to not land may be taken from some distance away or perhaps ten seconds before touch down, the reason is always safety.
Whilst it may seem safest to be on the ground, one of the most usual reasons for a go around is if an aircraft that is landing ahead of you does not clear off the active runway in the time that it was expected. This compels the following a/c to go around. Equally, if a departing aircraft decides to abort their take off - then they will still be on the runway and the next approaching a/c must go around.
It is not a decision taken lightly but it happens all around the world all the time. If it happens to you, it means the folks at the front spotted the trouble in time! I have been paxing for 45 years and never had a go around.
Whilst it may seem safest to be on the ground, one of the most usual reasons for a go around is if an aircraft that is landing ahead of you does not clear off the active runway in the time that it was expected. This compels the following a/c to go around. Equally, if a departing aircraft decides to abort their take off - then they will still be on the runway and the next approaching a/c must go around.
It is not a decision taken lightly but it happens all around the world all the time. If it happens to you, it means the folks at the front spotted the trouble in time! I have been paxing for 45 years and never had a go around.
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Landing at STN with Easyjet late at night, I could feel the aircraft rolling more than I normally do, could not see outside, landed, the weather was foul, heavy rain, wind..... the usual 100% competent flight crew. 
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Actually had a charmed life in eighteen years as a passenger until last Christmas when I flew into Narita from Heathrow on a BA B747-400 that was all over the sky due to windshear on the approach. It's quite tense watching the ailerons work quite so hard as they struggle to keep the wings level.
A fortnight later I had a very frightening approach into 23 at Glasgow from Gatwick on a BA B737-400. Was dark, raining heavily and we landed very hard on Runway 23. A quick check of the winds once of the plane gave wind as "170° at 23 gusting 36 kts". Ouch. Hell of crosswind that.
Well done all up front.
A fortnight later I had a very frightening approach into 23 at Glasgow from Gatwick on a BA B737-400. Was dark, raining heavily and we landed very hard on Runway 23. A quick check of the winds once of the plane gave wind as "170° at 23 gusting 36 kts". Ouch. Hell of crosswind that.
Well done all up front.
CH3CH2OH
Various landings into Sumburgh in the late 80's early 90's with Dan Air (HS748) and British Air Ferries (Viscounts), only place I have got out and had serious difficulty standing, also the only place I have seen Force 8 Fog!
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Hmmm... interesting take offs and landings... I suppose:
- American 767 from Dallas to Gatwick - rejected take-off at Dallas, followed by a burst tyre on landing at Gatwick
- Couple of goarounds with BA, one on a 757 coming in to GLA due to plane in front not clearing the runway, the other coming in to LHR from Buenos Aires on a 747, due to an indication of a problem with the landing gear.
- Not long after take-off from Entebbe on a Sabena DC-10 (or maybe MD-11), a very sudden falling out of the sky sensation...
- RJ100 landing in strong crosswinds into LCY - watching the runway all the way down the approach from seat 3A: cool !
- A Fokker 50 landing into AMS in turbulence that got even the hardened travellers talking and raising eyebrows
- A Sabena hop from EDI to GLA on an BAe146. Definitely my shortest trip on a jet aeroplane...!
But the most memorable take-offs and landings of all were on my recent honeymoon in Tanzania - take off from a dirt runway in the Serengeti... flying over the Ngorongoro Crater... landing in Zanzibar (passing the Indigo Aviation Dakota sitting on the apron). And being able to watch the pilot at the controls all the way
- fantastic !
13Alpha
- American 767 from Dallas to Gatwick - rejected take-off at Dallas, followed by a burst tyre on landing at Gatwick
- Couple of goarounds with BA, one on a 757 coming in to GLA due to plane in front not clearing the runway, the other coming in to LHR from Buenos Aires on a 747, due to an indication of a problem with the landing gear.
- Not long after take-off from Entebbe on a Sabena DC-10 (or maybe MD-11), a very sudden falling out of the sky sensation...
- RJ100 landing in strong crosswinds into LCY - watching the runway all the way down the approach from seat 3A: cool !
- A Fokker 50 landing into AMS in turbulence that got even the hardened travellers talking and raising eyebrows
- A Sabena hop from EDI to GLA on an BAe146. Definitely my shortest trip on a jet aeroplane...!
But the most memorable take-offs and landings of all were on my recent honeymoon in Tanzania - take off from a dirt runway in the Serengeti... flying over the Ngorongoro Crater... landing in Zanzibar (passing the Indigo Aviation Dakota sitting on the apron). And being able to watch the pilot at the controls all the way
- fantastic ! 13Alpha
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Looking for the runway on the forward facing camera on board a Emirates 767 whilst on finals at Perth, no view of the runway whatsoever but could see it perfectly out of the cabin window!
An Iberia 727 that stopped very suddenly after what appeared to be a normal landing on 27 at EMA, cue fire engines and the crew eventually explaining that the brakes refused to let us move! Only time a bus has taken me directly from runway to terminal!
And like a previous post, trying to land at Funchal in a First Choice (I think) 757, very high winds and ended up diverting to Porto Santo which appeared little better. Not an experience I wish to repeat.
An Iberia 727 that stopped very suddenly after what appeared to be a normal landing on 27 at EMA, cue fire engines and the crew eventually explaining that the brakes refused to let us move! Only time a bus has taken me directly from runway to terminal!
And like a previous post, trying to land at Funchal in a First Choice (I think) 757, very high winds and ended up diverting to Porto Santo which appeared little better. Not an experience I wish to repeat.
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Yesterday afternoon coming into Cincinatti on Delta from LGW. Lots of turbulence throughout the approach with plenty of worried looking faces in the rear cabin. The chap sitting next to me was holding onto his sick bag. Lightning visible a few times. Rocky finals followed by a surprisingly smooth landing. Nice job!
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Fantastic posts everyone, makes me feel better that I'm not alone in thinking that some flight phases have been exciting during my travels.
Thing of travels, another one comes to mind - taking off from Durban in a MD - 82 a few years ago. Started as a rolling take off (ie not stopped before commencing the TO) and what appeared to be full power all the way up to 39000 (and we got up there very very quickly!!) The only time I ever experienced power similarly (although to be fair it was not at all in the same league) was avoiding storm cells on TO from the same airport in a 737.
Happy flying everyone
Thing of travels, another one comes to mind - taking off from Durban in a MD - 82 a few years ago. Started as a rolling take off (ie not stopped before commencing the TO) and what appeared to be full power all the way up to 39000 (and we got up there very very quickly!!) The only time I ever experienced power similarly (although to be fair it was not at all in the same league) was avoiding storm cells on TO from the same airport in a 737.
Happy flying everyone
Last edited by shalo; 8th Aug 2009 at 22:37. Reason: Spelling
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Various landings into Sumburgh in the late 80's early 90's with Dan Air (HS748) and British Air Ferries (Viscounts), only place I have got out and had serious difficulty standing, also the only place I have seen Force 8 Fog!
Holey sheit is that a fun landing . . . .
Been on the left of the aircraft, looking out the starboard side window past the ashen pax on that side, down the chimneys of the houses below us, in free fall with the rotor off the cliffs.
the guys who flew us up there were proper pilots . .
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
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Thank you Sir, we have hairs on our chests! We used to put a HS748 to bed each evening there. In the morning, I used to be surprised it was still there sometimes! To get the snow off it in the morning, we used to be see-sawing a firemans hose along the top of the fuselage. I used to feel completely dead-cold from the waist down in winter, until they installed the amazing modification, a switch-controlled lady's hairdrier under the instrument panel. It would take the airconditioning system 26 minutes to vaguely warm up the cabin- the first leg was about 25 minutes, then the great front door would be swung up and the place would freeze again! And the pilots used to load and unload bags, coffins, lobsters and whatever.
But it was fun.
But it was fun.