I think the question is about the cruise phase - not parked with engines off....

Given that almost all scheduled airline ops operate on IFR flightplans which assume flight in permanent IMC how can a visual lookout be mandatory? Sure you'd use it where you can, but in IMC/IFR it cannot, ipso facto, be mandatory.

I've recently had an FO react in a most inappropriate manner due to a percieved conflict with co-ordinated IFR traffic that would have taken the controller very much by surprise had it continued. Sometimes acting on what you see by looking out of the window can be quite counterproductive.

Personally calls like "Bigbird xxx maintain heading due crossing traffic 10 o'clock same level call clear of traffic" make me cringe. How can we assume that the traffic we think we've identified is the one he intended? We cannot. Thus taking the authority for avoidance based on our own unverifiable visual criteria is surely a nonsense in the controlled IFR environment? Dosen't this negate the entire point of IFR altogether?

My answer to the above is invariably "not visual", as per our flight plan.

Lookout in IMC/IFR? How?

Incoming!!!

TYRO
 

Yes, but some questions were raised about damaging windows and I meant to add a comment. These (automotive type) reflective blinds are commercially available to fit aircraft windows. They have not done any perminant damage to my knowledge but have resulted in more false window heat failures at the gate (usually cleared up with a bottle of cold water).

I guess the question is, if you had these blinds at your disposal in flight would you be inclined to use them?

Well, maybe it may be so that you are not the only dot on the ATCOs scope? Hence, by calling him he will be able to focus his attention you again. Confirming for himself that you are clear, and issue you your climb/descend, what-ever clearance.

But if you prefer not to help and give this information this is of course your prerogative. Of course you can always call him 5 mins later with "Bigbird xxx, we're still maintaining flxxx", when he forgotten all about your request for another level.

Besides from that IFR flightplan does not imply that you are IMC or VMC. As long as you are VMC, lookout is required. Procedures for lost com is also different depending IMC or VMC. Hence you can't say that your are IMC because you filed and IFR flightplan.

Last but not least, Class E airspace may contain uncontrolled VFR traffic. A good lookout + reduced speed may be very advisable.

Personally I have always considered that keeping as good a lookout as conditions permit is basic good airmanship. Reducing the sun's glare on your face improves your ability to maintain that lookout.

Mr Boeing is very good at providing sun shades which fail to fit tight up to the edge of the windscreen and the sun has an amazing knack of positioning itself so as to shine through the resulting gap.

My solution has been to buy a strip of green plastic intended to be used along the top of a car windscreen. Cut into 30cm lengths and used with three thicknesses it has light blocking qualities similar to that of the Boeing shades. The plastic is self clinging both to itself and to glass. When not in use it fits neatly in my briefcase.

(Lettering such as WAYNE or TRACY is optional.)

Could these shades be left in position for takeoffs and landings? I just couldn’t find the reference. Thanks!

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0d44d72c2.jpeg

A question I've also always wanted an answer to, so thanks for asking!
The answer probably is "Depends on who's sitting in the seat next to you..."

If the cockpit windows block most of the UV light, why are my epaulettes several shades lighter yellow than the spares that are still in their wrapper?

Because the seat belts and your coat rub on them?

They don't block ALL UV light, and they don't block visible light. Visible light energy heats things up and bleaches them. All about 'free radicals'... and I'm not referring to heavily militant union members :-)

Getting the foldy uppy window shade in a 787 back into its bag without permanently disfiguring it was a line check pass/fail item in my last airline. 😳

What about

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...ges/parmor.php

or

https://www.bestglide.com/products/s...rine-sunshield

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...unguardbig.php