Flight Deck Access
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: California
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It certainly is odd. A quick look at Airliners.net will reveal pages and pages of pictures from in-flight action. The dates on these pictures are from the post 9/11 era too.
Some European carriers allow flight deck visits. It's mostly small regional airlines or airlines that belong to countries that don't really have many terrorists.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: California
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you want to get a good look at a jet cockpit a visit to a local FBO might give you a better chance. FBOs mostly have much less security (unless you happen to try Teterboro ) and if you strike up a conversation with a flight crew waiting for their passengers you may get lucky and get an invite. Unfortunately, the chances of actually getting a RIDE in a corporate jet are extremely slim to non-existent (A year working at a major FBO managed to get me "just" two rides - in the police chopper). But just by hanging around in the airport shop I was once invited by a NetJets Captain out to his Falcon 2000 and got to assist him with the cockpit preflight. Unless the crewmember's a real prick (unlikely but possible) you should probably be able to get a peek up front and possibly even get a seat (avionics hopefully running).
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Midlands
Age: 84
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The visit I had last...
Returning from a flight from Singapore last December with British Airways on a 744 and I managed to wangle a quick look into the flight deck after shut down on stand. I went to the aft galley mid-flight and posed the question about a visit to an attendant who said, ‘ask him yourself, he’s behind you!’ The captain ‘saw no reason’ why I couldn’t come up after the engines were stopped on stand.
Funny thing is 6 hours later, after the plane was 99% empty I knocked on the cockpit door and there was no reply so I shouted back to the one of the attendants in the upper galley who retorted: “Just give it a good shove mate…!” So after another futile knock, I did and the jolly thing flew open against the cockpit lavatory wall. The Captain was packing up his paperwork but was very forthcoming in answering a few questions about the decent and approach routing.
**For anyone with a passion then I doubt you are going to ask ‘what buttons do what’ as most already know. In light of the new rules it is much more unlikely that the uniformed passenger would get near the cockpit (i.e. … a nervous passenger who might once have been invited up mid-flight to calm their nerves) I should think the large majority of visits now come (stealing of market share (lol)) from the community of tenacious informed wannabe’s who don’t mind waiting 13 hours in economy for a 2 minute glimpse after shutdown while the community of nervous flyers after having bitten their lips, just clamber for terminal 4 rather than allay any future fears with a quick peak at the flight deck …..it is 5am after all!**
During the chat the FO came out of the lavatory with a shocked face and I was a little blushed to say the least having obviously disturbed him midflow. However, they were very nice and the young FO was forthcoming in his explanations but the tiredness of the flight crew was evident. (They’re only human) Ie. Don’t take the p££s out of the forthcoming nature of the captain who invited you up.
I suggest that an enquiry mid-flight is best (slip in some jargon…so the Chinese whisper might inform the captain he won’t be talking to a 2 year old). And don’t take all morning in the cockpit cos after 14 hours from Changi and answering your questions a trip up the M25/ 4 /40 is more than likely. (How willing to entertain would you be..?) Ask a few informed relevant questions which will keep the meeting convivial as 2/3/4 professional long haul flyers might just get bored of you quickly if you don’t have a cat in hells clue. (Which I’m sure u do…)
I don’t think writing a letter in advance will get you anywhere these days but being able to impress on the attendant / flight crew that you know what you’re talking about…might mean that they’re more willing to let your foot in the proverbial door after shutdown. (don’t dress like a ruffian either ……..)
Ess: just plan a few ripper’s to ask…
Best of Luck
001
Funny thing is 6 hours later, after the plane was 99% empty I knocked on the cockpit door and there was no reply so I shouted back to the one of the attendants in the upper galley who retorted: “Just give it a good shove mate…!” So after another futile knock, I did and the jolly thing flew open against the cockpit lavatory wall. The Captain was packing up his paperwork but was very forthcoming in answering a few questions about the decent and approach routing.
**For anyone with a passion then I doubt you are going to ask ‘what buttons do what’ as most already know. In light of the new rules it is much more unlikely that the uniformed passenger would get near the cockpit (i.e. … a nervous passenger who might once have been invited up mid-flight to calm their nerves) I should think the large majority of visits now come (stealing of market share (lol)) from the community of tenacious informed wannabe’s who don’t mind waiting 13 hours in economy for a 2 minute glimpse after shutdown while the community of nervous flyers after having bitten their lips, just clamber for terminal 4 rather than allay any future fears with a quick peak at the flight deck …..it is 5am after all!**
During the chat the FO came out of the lavatory with a shocked face and I was a little blushed to say the least having obviously disturbed him midflow. However, they were very nice and the young FO was forthcoming in his explanations but the tiredness of the flight crew was evident. (They’re only human) Ie. Don’t take the p££s out of the forthcoming nature of the captain who invited you up.
I suggest that an enquiry mid-flight is best (slip in some jargon…so the Chinese whisper might inform the captain he won’t be talking to a 2 year old). And don’t take all morning in the cockpit cos after 14 hours from Changi and answering your questions a trip up the M25/ 4 /40 is more than likely. (How willing to entertain would you be..?) Ask a few informed relevant questions which will keep the meeting convivial as 2/3/4 professional long haul flyers might just get bored of you quickly if you don’t have a cat in hells clue. (Which I’m sure u do…)
I don’t think writing a letter in advance will get you anywhere these days but being able to impress on the attendant / flight crew that you know what you’re talking about…might mean that they’re more willing to let your foot in the proverbial door after shutdown. (don’t dress like a ruffian either ……..)
Ess: just plan a few ripper’s to ask…
Best of Luck
001
Join Date: Dec 1998
Location: wishing I were over there
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am happy to let kids and interested folks have a look as they're getting off. can't do it in the air.
ask the cabin crew nicely when you get on the aircraft that you'd love a peek when you land as you're considering a flying career.
most will gladly accommodate you.
an alternative is to go on one of those sim 'experience' days as you'll actually get a shot and the guys working the sim are normally pilots so you can ask them some questions.
I once 'flew' a BA 747 from the FO seat when I was '9' years old in the cruise. ( I presume the autopilot was on..........) the two lads thought it was hillarious. I almost wet myself, absolutely hated it......yet here I am doing the exact same thing.........
ask the cabin crew nicely when you get on the aircraft that you'd love a peek when you land as you're considering a flying career.
most will gladly accommodate you.
an alternative is to go on one of those sim 'experience' days as you'll actually get a shot and the guys working the sim are normally pilots so you can ask them some questions.
I once 'flew' a BA 747 from the FO seat when I was '9' years old in the cruise. ( I presume the autopilot was on..........) the two lads thought it was hillarious. I almost wet myself, absolutely hated it......yet here I am doing the exact same thing.........
