Child Flies ATR
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Surely this would be done in cruise. The same phase of flight where it's typical and accepted for one pilot to go to the lav, leaving the other one to handle emergencies solo.
If this was done during departure/arrival, then I agree that it was a terrible lapse of judgment.
If this was done during departure/arrival, then I agree that it was a terrible lapse of judgment.
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It looks like it is in the descent (from the footage in flight). There is positive torque showing on the gauges and the PLs are in the green arc but they are very retarded from a cruise power position. Looking at the torque gauges they look to be displaying an appropriate TQ for a descent
There is also a positive airspeed on the FO PFD showing and the Nav Display is an 'in flight' nav display.
In addition, on the FWS, the Descent checklist is showing. This can be recalled manually but the ATR will automatically display this when the aircraft commences a descent.
So, I would say yes the aircraft was in flight ...
The question is, What the **** where the crew thinking or even the company to allow this?!
If the aircraft was descending then there certainly should have two pilots at the controls!
There is also a positive airspeed on the FO PFD showing and the Nav Display is an 'in flight' nav display.
In addition, on the FWS, the Descent checklist is showing. This can be recalled manually but the ATR will automatically display this when the aircraft commences a descent.
So, I would say yes the aircraft was in flight ...
The question is, What the **** where the crew thinking or even the company to allow this?!
If the aircraft was descending then there certainly should have two pilots at the controls!
The headline would be more appropriately titled: "Child Manipulates Flight Controls." Yeah I know, not much pzazz huh?
Big deal. I've let kids think they're "flying the plane" in little singles several times. Some of them have done surprisingly well at level turns and basic stuff like that. Full-grown non-pilot adults too. But without a qualified pilot directing their activities and ready to take over if needed...
In that Russian crash, the kid started a fight with the autopilot and lost while neither the "captain" nor the FO was minding the store. Stupid overindulgent parenting paired with irresponsible piloting. Bad mix...
As said above, letting someone manipulate the controls isn't dangerous by itself. But it's not allowed in air carriers. The Captain knowingly and purposefully broke the rules and should be sanctioned for it. If the company really was complicit, they should be sanctioned too. Plus it's really bad optics for the airline and industry.
Big deal. I've let kids think they're "flying the plane" in little singles several times. Some of them have done surprisingly well at level turns and basic stuff like that. Full-grown non-pilot adults too. But without a qualified pilot directing their activities and ready to take over if needed...
In that Russian crash, the kid started a fight with the autopilot and lost while neither the "captain" nor the FO was minding the store. Stupid overindulgent parenting paired with irresponsible piloting. Bad mix...
As said above, letting someone manipulate the controls isn't dangerous by itself. But it's not allowed in air carriers. The Captain knowingly and purposefully broke the rules and should be sanctioned for it. If the company really was complicit, they should be sanctioned too. Plus it's really bad optics for the airline and industry.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeroflot_Flight_593 comes to mind
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
No, not since my post number three.
I have to confess, many year's ago, allowing a friend's young son to sit in the seat during the cruise, However, it was in a Fokker 27, no autopilot, the FO in his seat and flying the plane, and the youngster not touching the controls. And me standing behind him, where I could haul him out very quickly.
In the days before mobile phones etc (1981 IIRC), and in full view of the passengers. No-one complained, but it was a different world then.
I have to confess, many year's ago, allowing a friend's young son to sit in the seat during the cruise, However, it was in a Fokker 27, no autopilot, the FO in his seat and flying the plane, and the youngster not touching the controls. And me standing behind him, where I could haul him out very quickly.
In the days before mobile phones etc (1981 IIRC), and in full view of the passengers. No-one complained, but it was a different world then.
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Aeroflot Flight 593 ended in a diaster - see link below (well worth watching). Reason being a kid was at the controls messing up the autopilot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4y3dcqx10s
In my opinion there is no need to start a discussion here. A cockpit is not a playground and there should be only authorized personal in the cockpit and certainly only qualified and trained pilots at the controls! For any other purpose of "entertainment" go mess around with a simulator!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4y3dcqx10s
In my opinion there is no need to start a discussion here. A cockpit is not a playground and there should be only authorized personal in the cockpit and certainly only qualified and trained pilots at the controls! For any other purpose of "entertainment" go mess around with a simulator!
Last edited by Transsonic2000; 4th Aug 2017 at 15:03.
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There are many captains who have let cabin crew fly the aircraft when it is empty. There are probably those who have let a non-qualified person sit at the controls in flight with passengers on (friend, relative, cabin crew etc). These days that is asking to be fired, however, and not many people would do it now. What beggars belief is why the crew allowed this to be filmed - they must have believed they had permission to do it.
