What Makes A Good Captain?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Farnborough
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Northen Lights are you a wind up artist?
Please do not insult Al Haynes and the survivors as it is amazing that it was not a complete catastrophe
You would like to debate it fair enough.
Please do not insult Al Haynes and the survivors as it is amazing that it was not a complete catastrophe
You would like to debate it fair enough.
I haven't insulted Al or anyone else - try asking him if he thought they did a perfect job.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South-East England
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Originally Posted by parabellum
Could someone who has actually tried this in the DC-10 simulator let us know how it worked out ?
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For what it's worth .. in this forum, the moderation is very moderate .. and that is a conscious, intentional approach to the task.
However, we will, and do, edit that which does not fit with the basic site rules and other things which don't foster useful debate in this forum. If there be a problem with that, then an email to the powers that be is the appropriate avenue of complaint.
However, we will, and do, edit that which does not fit with the basic site rules and other things which don't foster useful debate in this forum. If there be a problem with that, then an email to the powers that be is the appropriate avenue of complaint.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Zanzi's Bar
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A few Golden Rules
A Captain should:
Lead by example.
Not expect his crew to do something he doesn't like or can't do.
Never forget he started from the right and a PPL.
Offer comments only if the F/O has indicated they are welcome. Unless of course it's training.
Be humble enough to analyse his own mistakes for the benefit of the crew.
Adapt to his F/O's level of performance rather than expect vice-versa.
Be a Diplomat rather than a Dictator.
Involve/consult his crew about a decision, even if it is obvious his/her experience has led him/her to the right one.
Always be prepared to leave his mindset, even God made a few mistakes.
I can go on for a while but should be off to ZRH with an overexperienced lady F/O and a newly released young guy... I hope I do not forget any of the above...
Lead by example. Not expect his crew to do something he doesn't like or can't do. Never forget he started from the right and a PPL. Offer comments only if the F/O has indicated they are welcome. Unless of course it's training. Be humble enough to analyse his own mistakes for the benefit of the crew. Adapt to his F/O's level of performance rather than expect vice-versa. Be a Diplomat rather than a Dictator. Involve/consult his crew about a decision, even if it is obvious his/her experience has led him/her to the right one. Always be prepared to leave his mindset, even God made a few mistakes.I can go on for a while but should be off to ZRH with an overexperienced lady F/O and a newly released young guy... I hope I do not forget any of the above...
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: U.K, I think.....
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Swish266 ,
I agree wholheartedly with all the points you've said except for
As an F/O I was always willing to listen to any Captain and take on any suggestion on a different way of doing things. That way, I could evaluate what I was being told (or shown) and either file it for future reference or disregard it if it was inappropriate. I actively asked for feedback if something didn't go well, but even if I didn't I was always willing to listen and learn.
On my Command course I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I was now a Training Captain, (like it or not, and without the official status or Salary) as, day to day, I was going to be responsible for setting the example to the F/O's I was to fly with.
Now that doesn't mean that I interfere and interject all the time. In fact as an ex-instructor, I try to sit back and let the F/O make a mistake (as long as it isn't dangerous or likely to result in an MOR being filed against us).
For example, only a couple of weeks ago, the F/O was screwing up the CDA. I nudged him with a "We're a little high here" at about 9000' and again later downwind. To no avail we we're turned in, and simply couldn't get stable by 500". F/O called his own G/A, made an excellent job of the subsequent visual circuit. Needless to say we discussed the whole event for a few minutes during the subsequent turn around.
End result: The company lost a few £ worth of fuel, I had to make an apologetic PA to the PAX, and the F/O gained a whole heap of experience, both from making the mistake, and from the advice/de-brief afterwards. I'd like to think he learned more than had I 'told him' or shown him' what to do, but that really depends on the individual and their willingness to evaluate their own performance.
In this instance the F/O asked for the feedback, but he would have been told where he went wrong had he not asked, otherwise the whole event would have been worthless. If the F/O doesn't show willing to learn from his/her mistake they need at least to have it pointed out to them.
One other point to add to Swish's list.
A good Captain will watch and learn from the F/O. They fly with other Captains and might themselves teach me a thing or two. Also, they may have a fresh opinion on any situation, untainted by past experience, which could be better than my 'experienced' (and I use the word loosely) opinion.
Finally as an F/O I went through my phase of thinking I know it all.
Now as a Captain I realise I never will.
I agree wholheartedly with all the points you've said except for
Offer comments only if the F/O has indicated they are welcome. Unless of course it's training.
On my Command course I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I was now a Training Captain, (like it or not, and without the official status or Salary) as, day to day, I was going to be responsible for setting the example to the F/O's I was to fly with.
Now that doesn't mean that I interfere and interject all the time. In fact as an ex-instructor, I try to sit back and let the F/O make a mistake (as long as it isn't dangerous or likely to result in an MOR being filed against us).
For example, only a couple of weeks ago, the F/O was screwing up the CDA. I nudged him with a "We're a little high here" at about 9000' and again later downwind. To no avail we we're turned in, and simply couldn't get stable by 500". F/O called his own G/A, made an excellent job of the subsequent visual circuit. Needless to say we discussed the whole event for a few minutes during the subsequent turn around.
End result: The company lost a few £ worth of fuel, I had to make an apologetic PA to the PAX, and the F/O gained a whole heap of experience, both from making the mistake, and from the advice/de-brief afterwards. I'd like to think he learned more than had I 'told him' or shown him' what to do, but that really depends on the individual and their willingness to evaluate their own performance.
In this instance the F/O asked for the feedback, but he would have been told where he went wrong had he not asked, otherwise the whole event would have been worthless. If the F/O doesn't show willing to learn from his/her mistake they need at least to have it pointed out to them.
One other point to add to Swish's list.
A good Captain will watch and learn from the F/O. They fly with other Captains and might themselves teach me a thing or two. Also, they may have a fresh opinion on any situation, untainted by past experience, which could be better than my 'experienced' (and I use the word loosely) opinion.Finally as an F/O I went through my phase of thinking I know it all.
Now as a Captain I realise I never will.
Last edited by Orp Tolip; 10th Jul 2007 at 18:05. Reason: spelling as usual
Join Date: Jun 2004
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To follow on from Orp Tolip's excellent comment, the sad part of becoming more experienced as a captain is the realisation that the gap between what I do know and what I would like to know is becoming wider every day.
Regards,
Old Smokey
Regards,
Old Smokey
