CEO at the controls of media-packed demo flight
 

Norwegian's CEO (non licensed/rated) took over the controls and flew Boeing's 787 at 16,000' over the mountains of Norway on a recent demonstration flight as part of Boeing's Dream Tour filled with media and guests.

VGTV

Translated from the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang (VG), May 3rd 2012:

"Bjorn Kjos was very excited after taking over the controls of his brand new 787 Dreamliner after takeoff from (Oslo) Gardermoen today at 10:10.

The Norwegian-boss likened the aircraft's technology to spacecraft when comparing against the rest of today's aircraft technology, and the two powerful engines lifted the aircraft containing 50-something passengers at a 20 degree climb angle. It levelled out a 3000' after a few seconds climb, when shortly thereafter Bjørn Kjos himself was allowed to fly the aircraft westerly and up to 16,000' over the mountains of Hardangervidda."

Normal Boeing ops to let non-rated / non-licensed passengers, this time in form of a CEO, have an operating seat with a cabin full of media and invited guests onboard?

and this is how people get killed...totally irresponsible

Björn Kjos is indeed licensed (former ex-mil) but most likely not type rated. But if the guy in the RHS was a training Captain I don't see the problem. Doesn't Airbus or other OEM's do these kinds of demo-flights with potential buyers head of flight ops/management/chief pilots all the time? Not to mention when the PIC needs the restroom the FO is usually left alone with an FA in the LHS, albeit not flying obviously.

I suppose one could make the argument that this was unwise due to the 50 pax/press that were on board, which makes this a slightly different case than a normal VIP demo flight.

But in all honesty, I don't think it's a big deal and certainly not something to make a fuss about. If they put Bruce Dickinson up to takeoff and land an A320 w/o a type rating or sim training, or that dutch guy that was put up to land a 737 w/o even having a flying license, there's certainly no harm in letting a licensed pilot play around with a 787 at 16,000 feet. Unless, of course, the thing catches on fire. :}

Just as well it was not Mr O'Leary at the controls of one of his 737-800s! Imagine the bruhaha here if it was!

Remmber that A300 crash at Aeroflot?

So the view of some seems to be that on the spur of the moment a CEO "took the controls of the aircraft"?

Or

Seeing as it was a planned flight is it not just slightly possible that him "taking the controls" was carefully thought out and checks made to ensure it was completely legal and above board, particularly as there was no doubt it would be reported in the media (who were all passengers and would be aware of it)?

And nowhere was it reported that he was flying from the left seat, its not like he did a barrel roll!!
:E

Willie Walsh is a qualified pilot and I think on Airbus so if he sat in the R/H seat of the new A380 on its way to LAX would that be a problem then?

If the Commander is a TRIA and the other pilot has a valid licence then this is legal. Not with pax or supernumerary crew not required for the operation however. Basically this is the legal way of conducting Base Training with a non-type rated pilot.

If your CEO wants to fly it best done without the press/media/everybody else on board and certainly don't publicise it.

Non event. I think someone is trying to make something out of nothing.

Gotta love somebody likening an ex-military pilot CEO to a 13-year-old kid. And then getting their facts wrong, too (it was an A310).

the original post made no reference to the guy being a qualified pilot ....Sorry, 310

The Aeroflot A310 accident was caused by the captains son turning the control column and disabling the A/P lateral mode. Not only did the Captain fail to notice this, but while attempting to recover the ever increasing bank, he failed to turn off the A/P all together which would have given him full control over the aircraft again.

As they say. You live and die by the FMA.

Good for him. Am quite confident a former F-104 pilot is able to do a bank and a climb from 3 to 16 in a FBW envelope protected aircraft with all the latest bells and whistles, plus a bloke sitting next to him which I would, safely I dare say, assume is either the chief pilot, chief technical pilot or chief training ditto.

Hey Bumps; what's up with Bruce Dickenson? Don't know about the A320, but he is a fully qualified pilot and has operated extensively as a captain on both 737 and 757, so I don't think there would be a problem. BTW I flew with him when he was a F.O. on the 737, and he's a very professional and capable pilot, as well as being a nice guy. Don't know about Iron Maiden though: not my thing.

Total non event, it wasn't a public transport flight. All USA two crew aircraft have to demonstrate to the FAA that they can be flown by one qualified pilot if necessary, required for certification purposes, Boeing make films of each aircraft SIM with one pilot doing take off, climb, approach, GA, engine failure, single engine approach and landing.

:zzz::zzz::zzz:

There are still more dangerous licensed pilots flying around than non-licensed CEO's, posing for a picture in flight.

Fuss over nothing.


We had A CEO at Continental who was type rated on the B757 (Gordon Bethune) and used to 'take the left seat' for Aircraft deliveries.


Believe me, he wasn't in charge, there was always a Senior Check Airman from the training department baby sitting him. He was watched very closely and taken over from when necessary.


It was just publicity, a CEO that can 'fly too' !

He is probably more qualified than the majority of his new hires.

Good grief people....as one mentioned above...there's NOBODY in the left seat when I head to my "post brekkie pee break"....