PPRuNe Forums - flt deck visits

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I have recently been lucky enough to visit the flight deck on both the outward and return flight from Heathrow to Zurich. I had prepared a brief letter which I handed in on boarding which asked if it would be possible to have a short visit to the flight deck sometime during the journey. On the outward flight the Captain of the 757 invited me forward once the meal had been cleared away and very kindly allowed me to stay for the landing. On the return flight by A320 I was suprised and delighted to be invited to sit in the jump seat for the take off, flight and landing which was an amazing experience. Both crews were very friendly and happy to answer any questions during their few quiet moments. For someone who up till now was not the most confident of fliers I found the visits extemely interesting and reassuring and look forward to my next flight. Incidently I think that my friends and work colleagues are starting to become rather tired, or more likely envious, of hearing about my exploits.

I have alwats found j/s rides rather straightforwrd to obtain, with BA, BMi and the like more than happy to have a chat up front to compare notes. As one BA F/o explained to me, it was the only time he had any chance to ask ATC questions. In the one instance i was turned away from the flight deck, the flight attendants explained very curteously that 'things were rather busy up front', but to ask again on the return sector, and hey presto, no problems. I generally find that a GATCO, or UKATTS card does the trick, and I for one am very eager to have the golden opportunity to chat to all those in aviation

well, i'm not the youngest and i had the possibility to be on the flight deck of an LH 737 just some weeks ago (incl. landing).

It was a great experience and made me happy like a child (my last visit was on a DE 727 in 1972 !!!).

So, first of all, you adults out there be not ashamed of asking for a visit -
and to all pilots:
If the workload isn't too heavy, give the interested people the opportunity to visit you on the flight deck and trust the cabin crew "sorting out" potential air rage candidates ....

there is nearly nothing that compares to the view from the flight deck during approach and landing! It's worth asking .....