Who sets your Altitude Alert?
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Victoria, BC
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Who sets your Altitude Alert?
I am doing a poll. What is your company SOP regarding who sets the Altitude Alert? Does it change whether somebody is handflying or using the autopilot? And personal opinion: How do you think it should be done and why?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Join Date: Aug 2003
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On Autopilot - PF
Hand flying - PNF
Like Zoner says, considered a "required cross-check" item, so whoever is setting it actually speaks to the other pilot who acknowledges what is being set.
Hand flying - PNF
Like Zoner says, considered a "required cross-check" item, so whoever is setting it actually speaks to the other pilot who acknowledges what is being set.
Join Date: Nov 2007
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A/P engaged:
PF - selects FL/altitude and says it.
PNF - acknowledges when correct FL/altitude is selected.
Handflying:
PNF - selects FL/altitude and says it.
PF - acknowledges when correct FL/altitude is selected.
At all times:
PNF calls "1000' to go" prior to level off at selected FL/Altitude and PF acknowledges. Usually the aural warning gets in the way.
PF - selects FL/altitude and says it.
PNF - acknowledges when correct FL/altitude is selected.
Handflying:
PNF - selects FL/altitude and says it.
PF - acknowledges when correct FL/altitude is selected.
At all times:
PNF calls "1000' to go" prior to level off at selected FL/Altitude and PF acknowledges. Usually the aural warning gets in the way.
PNF calls "1000' to go" prior to level off at selected FL/Altitude and PF acknowledges. Usually the aural warning gets in the way.
Have even heard a PNF call "thousand to go" when the chime sounded because the aircraft had left a level for a new level but the crew forgot to select the new level in the MCP and the chime sounded when the aircraft had climbed 300 ft above or descended below current MCP altitude. Monkey see - monkey do, comes to mind...
In the simulator, if the instructor quietly disables the altitude alerter to check the alertness of the crew (without telling them first) invariably the PNF forgets to call "thousand to go" and the PF forgets too. Which means neither are monitoring the altimeters. Observed this slack attitude on countless occasions which means crews rely blindly on the alerter sound to remind them of the approaching altitude rather than have the situational awareness to closely monitor climb or descent rates to selected altitudes
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Observed this slack attitude on countless occasions which means crews rely blindly on the alerter sound to remind them of the approaching altitude