Sunday 14 September 2014

Shall we dance (Flying)


Shall We Dance

The A side

Recently I have had the opportunity to travel in the jump seat in 737’s and ATR72’s. For the purposes of research you understand. I teach at the engineering school in Christchurch and I am afraid talking about IRS systems or VOR systems without some personal experience just doesn’t hold water with the students. If you can give a real life example or situation it is a) easier to be passionate about and b) it is more likely the student will be able to hang that system on a practical example that will aid recall.
 
So what did I learn from my observers seat. Practical things like current policy on the use of the APU. Procedures in an emergency, shut down procedures, traps for young players like disarming the emergency lighting. Anti-icing equipment, different TCAS displays. Talking to pilots about operational quirks.

Updating technical information like the phasing out of marker beacons and ADFs. The trailing of GPS systems for bad weather approaches. The comparison of auto pilot systems, seeing a pilot practice a hands on composite ILS approach (i.e. only one screen). Configuration differences i.e. spoilers, yaw damping, reverse thrust, prop brake starts, wild frequency systems verses spilt bus, fuel systems. How much is automated and what is not. etc etc.

I look forward to the left of field questions which I am more confident about being able to answer with a bit more experience under my belt.

That was what I learnt technically but I can’t help looking at underlying themes.
 

The B side

If coming into Auckland is like a Waltz and Wellington is the Quick step then Queenstown has got to be the Tango.

Watching a good dance partnership is poetry in motion. Watching a Captain and Co pilot work seamlessly together is equally easy on the eye and mind.

I say easy on mind because I observed consideration of the customers and equipment by always being smooth in their operation by thinking ahead and avoiding undue and unnecessary altitude changes or directional changes. The Captains although leading by example and obviously in command had the knack of letting information flow backwards and forwards. Passing on experience and acknowledging the co pilots strengths. There is a lesson here for all teachers.

For a dance to be a success you need a) a good partner who knows or can anticipate your moves b) suitable music with a well practiced orchestra c) an ear for that music d) a stable platform e) a passion for the art.

It helps to have set moves or steps but the sign of a good relationship is when the dance steps outside the norm and the partner falls in as if nothing was more natural.

Suitable music or rhythm not too fast and not too slow with a recognisable pattern. The orchestra (read the support staff) are a vital ingredient. Without them the whole experience would not flow as it does. In fact it would be a hollow and colourless. It would detract from the romance of flying.

An engineers ear to listen for changes in the beat and question what does not fit. Engineers to tune that instrument back into harmony.

A suitable platform. The pilots I flew with were comfortable and complimentary about their chosen aircraft and type of flying. The ATR pilots with the more scenic and the 737 pilots with their sports-car speed. The routes these aircraft fly are well suited to their characteristics. Who else but a French gal would you take for a tango in Queenstown, an American lass for a stylish quickstep and the sedate Queen of them all the 747 for a sophisticated waltz in the city of sails.
 
Note: A quickstep has a natty sidestep that I like to think of as a crosswind component which Wellington is so well known for. The Tango has a few dips and swirls which suit the awe inspiring approach around Queenstowns terrain and Auckland is just a long easy glide with an elevated opinion of itself. 

Published Sport Flying Summer 2008

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