Books on MCC

[Superpilot]

Are there any books out there that cover MCC theory? I'm looking for something that specifically contains details on how a multi crew environment should successfully deal with specific problems (decompression, incapacitation, loss of instruments, comms, loss of SA etc) that may arise whilst operating a commercial Jet/TP transport. I'm not really after stuff that talks about famous MCC ****ups! (though I acknowledge, in those is a good lesson too!). Something that contains exercises a crew should practice maybe?

Any pointers?

Thanks

[v6g]

- just tell your relatives to get you socks for Christmas

[Nashers]

every company could have different SOP's so there could potentialy be many different ways to deal with different problems like the ones you suggest.

[Frank Furillo]

Well, you could watch Air Crash Investigation on National Geographic.
For exercises to practice, sounds like you need a QRH (Quick Reference Handbook).
To help you get started, this is the Cabin Altitude Warning or Rapid Depressurisation, Recall items from my company, for the 737 Classic.

Oxygen masks and regulators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . On, 100%
Crew communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Establish
Pressurization mode selector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAN
Outflow valve switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSE
If pressurization is restored, continue manual operation
to maintain proper cabin altitude.
Passenger signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ON
If cabin altitude is uncontrollable:
Passenger oxygen switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ON
Activate passenger oxygen if cabin altitude exceeds or
is expected to exceed 14,000 feet.
Emergency descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Initiate
Accomplish the EMERGENCY DESCENT checklist if
the airplane is above 14,000 feet MSL and control of
cabin pressure is not possible, or cabin pressure is
lost.

[CABUS]

I was given the book emergency on the flight deck for some 'light reading' before my MCC from my Dad, it had a few good points in it. Honestly, I would just hit flight sim on some jazzed up jet package and just practice short sectors in the UK. I appreciate some people may laugh at this comment but it paid dividends for me on my mcc and latter jet TR mainly as it really helps with decent planning. Also hit the SOP's, they will say everything about emergency procedures and the memory items, if you hit the books hard at the start it will pay off towards the end. Poss some arm chair flying with your buddy in the cardboard bomber and just continue running through SOP's chock to chock and you will be fine. To get some really good MCC reports try to think about what is needed outside the flight deck such as if you have an uncontained cabin fire and you can divert the obvious points are fire service and medical help on ground, other points worth briefing about would be starting the APU before landing as when you shut the engines down in a hurry you could plunge the cabin into darkness. Taking the load sheet as you evac to give to the chief fire officer for a head count and also letting him know about any dangerous good in the hold, that kind of stuff. You mentioned Emerg decent, think about the usuals such as MSA's, was it explosive or gradual (this could indicate door seal or door) is there vibes in decent ( if so poss structual damage and accelerating to the barbers pole to increase rod could make problem worse so decend at speed decomp occured). Once decent to 100 is complete to inform cabin crew and get Cabins director to the fd, if you are above mountains inform the pax + cc that decent is not yet complete and to remain on oxy. On the ground, inform ATC on things such as if you dont think you can vacate the rwy or if you can what you would like to do i.e. stop on taxi way or taxi to stand, also poss get medical cover as some elderly people will really be suffering, once again load sheet.

Hope this helps, if you want any help give us a shout!

P.S. sorry for spelling its no doubt comedy value but I am off to work.

[dwshimoda]

You are looking for technical answers to problems that are type, and can also be operator, specific.

The MCC is not a technical course (although conducted properly you will learn masses about the operation of a multi crew aircraft) but is designed to give you an understanding of how the flightdeck, and the cabin crew and all other resources available, work together.

Find out what sim you are going to do your MCC on, and learn the basics of that, but don't go too far, or you will actually cause yourself more problems. I did mine on the B757, and before hand I got hold of the MCC manuals from the provider, a Microsoft Flight Sim B757 add on, and also bought the ITVV flight deck DVD's of the B757. All of these gave me a good knowledge of the flight deck, and demonstrated enthusiasm and learning ability.

If you want to prep properly for what the MCC is truly about, then the best book you can read is called "The Naked Pilot: The Human Factors in Aircraft Accidents" by David Beattie. This book really exams the issues in operating a multi crew aircraft, and covers most of why the CAA felt that the MCC course needed to be brought in.

Remember, the MCC is a non-technical course. But treat it as another serious module in your flight training, and the sim time as interview prep, and you'll come away with a good insight of how it really works. Many people treat the MCC as a "tick box" course that you can't fail - that it is a very poor way to complete the last main module of your training, and get your first real taste of what line flying is really like.

Superpilot - I don't for one minute think this is what you are doing, as you are pro-actively seeking help ahead of the course - good luck with everything!

Out of interest, where are doing your MCC?

DW.

[mafemukh]

SOP's becoming Manufacturer's Standard

DW - agreed.
Although there is much good advice here, please also note that many companies just use the "standard" SOP's supplied by the manufacturer. Depending upon where you plan to do your MCC, grab the Flight Manual of the manufacturer and go through it. MCC courses are not supposed to be "type-specific" but, by the very nature of the equipment used, they often are. It will do you no harm, therefore, to review the systems, operating procedures, speeds, etc. of the type you will operate at MCC. Eg. if you're going to OATS a preview of Boeing's 737-400 SOPs and FM will do no harm, AFT - the CRJ200, etc.
Bonne chance

[Superpilot]

My reasons for asking

I already have my MCC, I am just enquiring because it's already been 3 months since my MCC and another year without exposure to this sort of thing and it's like starting all over again, right? So anything in the mean time one can read? By the sounds of it, the answer is no.

[moggiee]

There's a good book called "The Naked Pilot" by David Beaty which focuses on the human factors aspects of accidents/CRM/MCC. Yours for under a tenner at Amazon:

The Naked Pilot: The Human Factor in Aircraft Accidents: David Beaty: Amazon.co.uk: Books