7 helpful hints for non-pilot landing of a commercial aircraft If aircraft is flying straight and level: 1. Find the radio (between the seats) 2. Set to 121.5MHz and call MAYDAY with flight number. If conversations can be heard on the existing frequency (119.5MHz or whatever), make your call there first. 3. Explain situation to controller. 4. Pray that your aircraft has full-auto capability. Wait for instructions on how to set up the flight management system for a full-auto landing at the nearest appropriate airport. Report fuel onboard and anything else asked for by controller. 5. Stay on the radio and keep communicating until landing. 6. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, you'll soon be a hero! 7. Start planning for the windfall from the movie.

(Written on 2018年 07月 12日)(Permalink)

Any 747SPs still in service?

(Written on 2017年 08月 13日)(Permalink)

It is my understanding from conversations with some UA staff last week that UA will retire its entire 747-400 fleet this Autumn. The HKG to SFO route has already been changed to brand new 777-300ER aircraft featuring their Polaris business class as of last March.

(Written on 2017年 08月 10日)(Permalink)

Where are the fire engines?

(Written on 2017年 06月 15日)(Permalink)

Sorry, walk off OR be taken off...

(Written on 2017年 04月 14日)(Permalink)

Did you watch the TMZ video, Brad. That is exactly what happened. He was presented with a choice to walk off of be taken off. He chose the latter. My question still remains, why?

(Written on 2017年 04月 14日)(Permalink)

I didn't say he was at fault, I said he had a choice. He apparently weighed his options and decided he prefered to be dragged off the plane and sue United.

(Written on 2017年 04月 13日)(Permalink)

A question for this august group. David Dao could have walked off the plane on his own accord at any time and this would been a non-event. Why do you think he chose to be dragged down the aisle instead? It was his choice. If you watch the TMZ video (which I encourage everyone to do) taken from the seat behind him he tells the police officer he would prefer be hauled off to jail against his will, including being dragged down the aisle, and sue United rather than give up his seat. All three parties in this sad affair are at fault. The passenger, the airline and the police. The reality is it turned into a perfect storm of shared stupidity and poor decision making. The potential good news is that United Airlines will never be the same again, hopefully in a positive passenger-centric way. Let us hope all the other airlines in the world take note. Oh, let's not disparage an entire company of 86,000 mostly great, competent and professional people because of poor decisions by three policemen a

(Written on 2017年 04月 13日)(Permalink)

Don't most modern aircraft have a flight management system that would allow the novice pilot, with help from someone on the ground, to just enter an airport code and fly the plane in full auto mode all the way to touchdown and stop?

(Written on 2016年 02月 20日)(Permalink)