The 'walkaround'
Join Date: May 2001
Location: AUS
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Essential
I must admit that when flying as a pax I havent really taken much notice of what the flight crew has been doing. After all, its not the pax's job to check up on them, you expect them to do the job that they are being paid for properly!!!
However, I can remember times when waiting in the lounge of ALWAYS seeing the crew (when i have been looking), wether a change over or not, do a walk around. This hasnt been observed on Long Haul legs but on some of our domestic routes (in AUS). It is reasurring to see and I CANNOT understand how Flight Crew would not do one, EVER!
Twin.
However, I can remember times when waiting in the lounge of ALWAYS seeing the crew (when i have been looking), wether a change over or not, do a walk around. This hasnt been observed on Long Haul legs but on some of our domestic routes (in AUS). It is reasurring to see and I CANNOT understand how Flight Crew would not do one, EVER!
Twin.
Join Date: May 2002
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Being a trainee atco i've done my fair share off fam flights. On all of them, Dutch and UK airlines, a walk around was done by either capt or FO.
Even when i fly as a pax, which i do a lot, i try to see if somebody does a walk around. If not, i pay extra attention to where the emergency exits are.
Even when i fly as a pax, which i do a lot, i try to see if somebody does a walk around. If not, i pay extra attention to where the emergency exits are.
Join Date: Mar 2002
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is it really necessay?
engineers spend their whole life touching and seeing metal ..... seeing attachments ....seeing leaks ..etc..so aren't they in a vastly superior position to judge the safety of an aircraft? aren't their eyes better trained , just as much as a pilot is better trained to interpret the weather ?
i am not a pilot or an engineer ... your views will be interesting .
prasanna
i am not a pilot or an engineer ... your views will be interesting .
prasanna
Join Date: May 2002
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gas_man:-
It's six of one and half a dozen of the other, really. Yes, the engineer is more familiar with the nitty-gritty of the mechanics. However, the pilots have probably flown the aircraft on one or more sectors already, and will be familiar with how it looked on the last walkround, therefore being better placed to spot differences ("Hey - that tyre's wearing a bit fast - I wonder why?")
At an outstation, as well, the engineer may not be familiar at all with the particular aircraft, whereas little niggly "peculiarities" of a particular airframe will be reasonably well-known to the pilots in any medium-sized fleet.
All in all, it's not a bad idea for both to do a walk-round.
It's six of one and half a dozen of the other, really. Yes, the engineer is more familiar with the nitty-gritty of the mechanics. However, the pilots have probably flown the aircraft on one or more sectors already, and will be familiar with how it looked on the last walkround, therefore being better placed to spot differences ("Hey - that tyre's wearing a bit fast - I wonder why?")
At an outstation, as well, the engineer may not be familiar at all with the particular aircraft, whereas little niggly "peculiarities" of a particular airframe will be reasonably well-known to the pilots in any medium-sized fleet.
All in all, it's not a bad idea for both to do a walk-round.
Join Date: Apr 2000
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chiglet
I fly from MAN for a large charter airline. I can assure you that on EVERY flight, no matter how bad the weather is, a walkround is always done. My previous company was the same. I have never been on a line flight in the 3 years I have been line flying, that has not had a walkround performed. I think it is essential, particularly as this is when the loaders tend to crash into the fuselage!!
Eff Oh.
I fly from MAN for a large charter airline. I can assure you that on EVERY flight, no matter how bad the weather is, a walkround is always done. My previous company was the same. I have never been on a line flight in the 3 years I have been line flying, that has not had a walkround performed. I think it is essential, particularly as this is when the loaders tend to crash into the fuselage!!
Eff Oh.
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Whilst I accept 'chiglet's' perception of what he/she thinks they have observed, in 30 years at EGCC, working with probably 30 carriers as a Line Engineer, I have never, NEVER known a walkround not done by both the operating crew and the certifying engineer - it just does not happen.
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walkround, or not
I have read the replies with interest, but dredging my memory, I recall an "incident" at BHX/EGBB in 1969/70 [memory a "bit" hazy] when a BEA Bac11 taxied off stand 6A, the oleoes compressed and the underside of the wing hit the uppr surface of the Bac11s wing on 6B.
Both captains leapt out, hit the wing with their fist[s] and went on their merry way
Would that be "acceptable"today?
we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy
Both captains leapt out, hit the wing with their fist[s] and went on their merry way
Would that be "acceptable"today?
we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy
