This would be a mess ya pants moment

[cullennz]

Flight engineers haven't been required on modern aircraft since at least the 1980's*. Are you perhaps thinking of the second officer?

Depending on the length of the flight, usually those approaching 16+ hours there might even be a another captain or first or second officer onboard as relief crew, for a total of 4 type-rated pilots.

* Fun fact, despite the aircraft being designed for a two-person crew, Ansett ordered their 767's with a few instruments swapped around, in order to justify a Flight engineer's position. After a few years, they were converted to the standard 2-man cockpit.

Sorry

Just thinking of massive flights to my in laws in the UK. Always 3.

Flights is usually getting to 14 hours though, so it probably is just to give someone a sleep.

Odd fact I learnt the other day.

Pilots aren't allowed to have the same meals each time in case of severe food poisoning /other messing with it, at each meal time.

Must cause a few tense "I was first!"s

.... "Bags the steak!!!!"

 

[KDLarsen]

It's only going to get worse, as Qantas are going to run some trials on the effects extreme longhaul flights on the body, ahead of their Project Sunrise programme (non-stop Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane-London/Paris/New York flights). Presumably that'll mean as many as 5 pilots onboard, if not more, to counter the fatigue levels the crew will be experiencing.

 

[3point14]

This is similar, but not quite the same.

Wing Cmdr Taffy Holden had some experience in single engine trainers when he inadvertently turned on the afterburner of the EE Lightning he was maintaining.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden's_Lightning_flight

"Unable to disengage the afterburner, Holden ran down the runway narrowly missing a crossing fuel bowser and a de Havilland Comet taking off, before taking off himself. Flying without a helmet or canopy, the ejection seat disabled, and the landing gear locked down, "

He talks about it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfeN3FoZYj0

 

[cullennz]

It's only going to get worse, as Qantas are going to run some trials on the effects extreme longhaul flights on the body, ahead of their Project Sunrise programme (non-stop Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane-London/Paris/New York flights). Presumably that'll mean as many as 5 pilots onboard, if not more, to counter the fatigue levels the crew will be experiencing.

I know it is probably a bit over kill, but personally think of it as flights get longer, as a bit of a needs must type thing.

If it means I get there safely on an extremely long flight and this takes 4-5 pilots then so be it.

 

[jeremyp]

Well done that man. It reminded me of the 17-year old student pilot on a solo flight, who lost a wheel on takeoff.

That one reduced me to tears the first time I heard it and it's done it again now. The pilot's voice in the first few communications just kills me.

 

[RecoveringYuppy]

I wonder if he had any practice on a flight simulator.

It was my impression that training programs don't use simulators unless/until you're working on an instrument rating. Could be wrong, though.

As in Microsoft Flight Simulator on a home computer? I tried it several times before and after lessons in the air. It was of no help at all to me at all when I was initially learning to fly.

Similar experience here. I landed a real plane many times before ever doing it well on a home computer based simulator.

 

[KDLarsen]

Incidently, the same channel now has a video up of the incident in Australia, with the radio communication between the tower and the aircraft.

 

[Myriad]

Incidently, the same channel now has a video up of the incident in Australia, with the radio communication between the tower and the aircraft.

Ah, from the conversation near the end of the first video it appears he had flown a different small aircraft before. Probably with some practice with landings but not solo. So "It's my first lesson..." (omitting "...in this model of plane") is a bit misleading.

A very impressive performance, though. He comes across as very competent with the actual landing. He only had problems with specific pieces of equipment that were unfamiliar (such as the transponder). The biggest issue was not knowing how to turn up the headset volume, so he had to ask the controller to repeat things a lot.