What makes a good Captain?
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What makes a good Captain?
Hi Guys
As I'm coming up for Command soonish - can I ask
What makes a good Captain - from an ATC /Ground ops & Crewing point of view?
Thanks for any thoughts
ATB
S.D.
As I'm coming up for Command soonish - can I ask
What makes a good Captain - from an ATC /Ground ops & Crewing point of view?
Thanks for any thoughts
ATB
S.D.
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Speaking as someone with a lifetime's ATC experience I wouldn't have a clue! Remember that the person ATC talks to maybe the Captain or maybe the First Officer and we have no idea which. Best Captain I met was one evening when I gave Concorde a really tight approach and he gave us a bottle of decent pop. They should all be like him.
The only thing which concerned me about a Captain was when I was on the flight deck landing at Heathrow. As we left the runway the ground controller told the crew to take 'x' turning ahead. The Captain said: "Let's take 'y' - it's much easier". The F/O accepted this but I queried it so they did as instructed. The Captain was extremely experienced but he thought he knew best. I pointed out that for all they knew ATC might just have been warned about a dangerous light fitting (a frequent problem in thise days) where they wanted to turn. "Oh, never thought of that" said the Captain. They could easily have asked to take 'y' and ATC would probably have agreed.
The Captain is the "Man", but he cannot be aware of everything which goes on around him and it's a wise Captain who understands that.
Good luck with the command. We used to have Command Course guys round ATC at Heathrow. In the tower there were rods hanging down from the ceiling with small dials at the end. One guy asked if they were something to do with radar...... they were dimmer switches for the lights. I would probably have asked something equally - or probably more - stupid faced with a flight deck for the first time.
The only thing which concerned me about a Captain was when I was on the flight deck landing at Heathrow. As we left the runway the ground controller told the crew to take 'x' turning ahead. The Captain said: "Let's take 'y' - it's much easier". The F/O accepted this but I queried it so they did as instructed. The Captain was extremely experienced but he thought he knew best. I pointed out that for all they knew ATC might just have been warned about a dangerous light fitting (a frequent problem in thise days) where they wanted to turn. "Oh, never thought of that" said the Captain. They could easily have asked to take 'y' and ATC would probably have agreed.
The Captain is the "Man", but he cannot be aware of everything which goes on around him and it's a wise Captain who understands that.
Good luck with the command. We used to have Command Course guys round ATC at Heathrow. In the tower there were rods hanging down from the ceiling with small dials at the end. One guy asked if they were something to do with radar...... they were dimmer switches for the lights. I would probably have asked something equally - or probably more - stupid faced with a flight deck for the first time.
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Appreciate your comments about not knowing who you are talking too. However, most courses of action outside of the norm, rest with the Captain (after his consultation with all other available sources of info etc) - so your story about the turn off is exactly the type of thing I'm after - cheers!
When we do get it right - what was it that made your lives easier? How was information asked for / exchanged. What could we do better?
Thanks again
S.D.
When we do get it right - what was it that made your lives easier? How was information asked for / exchanged. What could we do better?
Thanks again
S.D.
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Sean,
I'm a civvy ATCO but used to fly for the military... HD has a valid point from an ATCO's perspective - I think it's basic common sense - as a Captain you should be magnanimous, listen to your colleagues and continue to strive to maintain the standards and work ethic that have allowed you to be considered for command in the first place - you must be doing something right, don't change it.
Communication is the number one thing - you have 2 ears and one mouth - spend more time listening than talking!!
If as the Captain of an aircraft you cannot comply with ATC, explain why. If you think you have been given a particulalry poor or good service, get on the phone and enquire why - not in a remonstrative way, but to garner better understanding on both sides.
Good Luck
I'm a civvy ATCO but used to fly for the military... HD has a valid point from an ATCO's perspective - I think it's basic common sense - as a Captain you should be magnanimous, listen to your colleagues and continue to strive to maintain the standards and work ethic that have allowed you to be considered for command in the first place - you must be doing something right, don't change it.
Communication is the number one thing - you have 2 ears and one mouth - spend more time listening than talking!!
If as the Captain of an aircraft you cannot comply with ATC, explain why. If you think you have been given a particulalry poor or good service, get on the phone and enquire why - not in a remonstrative way, but to garner better understanding on both sides.
Good Luck
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A good Captain is one who communicates - with his flight deck crew, with his cabin crew, and with ATC. If you tell us what you need, and in a timely and concise manner, then we can probably help you get exactly what you you want.
For example, if you want a non standard speed or profile, or have an emergency, then let us know and provide us with the amount of detail we need to give your request the level of priority it deserves.
It's good to talk
For example, if you want a non standard speed or profile, or have an emergency, then let us know and provide us with the amount of detail we need to give your request the level of priority it deserves.
It's good to talk
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Fully agree with PPRuNe Radar.
An example - Tell us you are going to be very slow on final when you're in the stack or as you leave it, not when you are on a closing heading. That one always helps
An example - Tell us you are going to be very slow on final when you're in the stack or as you leave it, not when you are on a closing heading. That one always helps
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Try to understand how most things work and how, when they don't work, it affects your job..
Use your common sense: for example a capt's cup holder broken could wait until the night stop. Remember your aircraft is normally not the only one and for an engineer being responsible for a handful of aircraft at any one time, and sometimes all with defects, can be alot of pressure, so the worn capt's seat cushion can wait too as he/she might not appreciate it.
Talk to your engineers. A good relationship between flight deck and engineers is invaluable to any airline.
But most importantly, like any responsible job, know your limits and be able to but your hand up and say "I don' know".
Use your common sense: for example a capt's cup holder broken could wait until the night stop. Remember your aircraft is normally not the only one and for an engineer being responsible for a handful of aircraft at any one time, and sometimes all with defects, can be alot of pressure, so the worn capt's seat cushion can wait too as he/she might not appreciate it.
Talk to your engineers. A good relationship between flight deck and engineers is invaluable to any airline.
But most importantly, like any responsible job, know your limits and be able to but your hand up and say "I don' know".
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Sean,
Hearty congrats on your accomplishment. I have no doubt that it is well deserved and that you are a most worthy recipient. To attain such a position of responsibility requires a considerable amount of dedication, perserverence, finance, maturity, skill and a little humility.
Now, that is what the position requires. As we are all aware, there are those in such a position who don't necessarily have all the above in appropriate proportions.
My own humble opinion of what makes a good Captain is based on dealing with many good and a few bad for over 30 years.
Treat all those around you with at least the same level of respect you would hope to receive.
You already have everything else you need to be a Captain.
Believe it or not, it is that easy.
Congrats and well done again.
camlobe
Hearty congrats on your accomplishment. I have no doubt that it is well deserved and that you are a most worthy recipient. To attain such a position of responsibility requires a considerable amount of dedication, perserverence, finance, maturity, skill and a little humility.
Now, that is what the position requires. As we are all aware, there are those in such a position who don't necessarily have all the above in appropriate proportions.
My own humble opinion of what makes a good Captain is based on dealing with many good and a few bad for over 30 years.
Treat all those around you with at least the same level of respect you would hope to receive.
You already have everything else you need to be a Captain.
Believe it or not, it is that easy.
Congrats and well done again.
camlobe
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Good Capitanos
Someone who is polite, courteous and professional. He will acknowledge the maintenance guys and even better is able to share a joke with all those around him. A team player that can work in a delay absorbing some of the external pressure with the engineer trying to get the aircraft fixed or MEL'd to preserve the network It's always nice at departure when he finishes the drinks order and asks if I would like something. Particularly when the weather outside is red hot or freezing cold. He will defintely know his aeroplane type.
IMHO the Captains that generate the most respect, productivity and teamwork are those that know your name or socialise with you.
The negative is all those that do the opposite to the above and are generally rude, arrogant, ignorant of the aircraft/procedures, pass a bad day on or pass all the pressure sideways onto the engineer. I'm a mirror now and reflect what comes in. If it's bad I generally amplify the crap back and if it's really bad throw a report in
Good luck with your upgrade buddy
IMHO the Captains that generate the most respect, productivity and teamwork are those that know your name or socialise with you.
The negative is all those that do the opposite to the above and are generally rude, arrogant, ignorant of the aircraft/procedures, pass a bad day on or pass all the pressure sideways onto the engineer. I'm a mirror now and reflect what comes in. If it's bad I generally amplify the crap back and if it's really bad throw a report in
Good luck with your upgrade buddy
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From a Crewing point of view, the main thing is just to be friendly - remember we all have to do a job, an unsavoury change to your roster might not be what you want to see after a 13 hour day but shouting down the phone / at us in person won't do anyone any favours
Good luck in the right hand seat, the fact you've asked makes me think you'll do well
Good luck in the right hand seat, the fact you've asked makes me think you'll do well
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Speak and treat the dispatcher as a person. There is nothing worse that having some surly Captain giving the dispatcher a hard time when there is a problem, i.e. no GPU or the fueller hasn't turned up, especially when it's not their fault. Also Flight crew should spot a good Dispatcher, they are, after all, worth their weight in gold!
We are working to the same goal- getting you and your pax away on time....
We are working to the same goal- getting you and your pax away on time....
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Be yourself
Treat all people as you wish to be treated yourself.
Take the rough with the smooth and smile.
Know the regulations, SOP's and enjoy.
Good luck to you, 'Sir' will come ;-)
Happy flying in the Left hand seat,
Bored
Take the rough with the smooth and smile.
Know the regulations, SOP's and enjoy.
Good luck to you, 'Sir' will come ;-)
Happy flying in the Left hand seat,
Bored
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Good luck in the right hand seat
Would agree about what DrPat says about dispatchers. you get some utterly thick **** ones and others who make a turn around unfold around you with little or no input.
The simple of remembering someones name makes a huge difference.
And especially with service air dispatchers remember it really isn't thier fault when it all goes tits up. They are just the face of completely incompetent managment, they are payed a pitance and being nasty to them really doesn't solve anything.
As for the ramp rats and refuelers again treat them as you want treated yourself, say hello be pleasant on the walk round and if its a regular route they do remember you.
oops just realised you wanted the workers at the coal faces opinion not another pilots.
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Since gathered wisdom to ask this kinds of questions
you are definately on your way to being an excellent captain
and a good foreman/superior for your crew.
Respect.
you are definately on your way to being an excellent captain
and a good foreman/superior for your crew.
Respect.
Last edited by Slo Moe; 13th May 2008 at 14:22. Reason: detail added
A very good question!
Years ago when I was involved with airline training I tried to write down the definition of a good Captain. I found the task almost impossible until I started to define a bad Captain and then "invert" my findings!
For example, a "bad" Captain would turn up for work late and unprepared. So a "good" Captain would be on time (or even early) and prepared in every way. You get the idea?
Also whilst it is important that a "good" Captain follows SOPs, there is a difference, I feel, between doing "things right" and doing "the right thing".
Years ago when I was involved with airline training I tried to write down the definition of a good Captain. I found the task almost impossible until I started to define a bad Captain and then "invert" my findings!
For example, a "bad" Captain would turn up for work late and unprepared. So a "good" Captain would be on time (or even early) and prepared in every way. You get the idea?
Also whilst it is important that a "good" Captain follows SOPs, there is a difference, I feel, between doing "things right" and doing "the right thing".
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DrPat you are obviously a member of crewing with a sense of humour.
We had one lady who rostered the ugliest FO on the base for cabin crew refresher training and even sent him a skirt instead of a new pair of trousers.
Top banter even if maybe wasn't intended.
We had one lady who rostered the ugliest FO on the base for cabin crew refresher training and even sent him a skirt instead of a new pair of trousers.
Top banter even if maybe wasn't intended.