Robin's Roost » Aviation

Compilation of Restoration Photos Ship 41

Robin Maiden — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:59:35 +0000

Click through to see a great compilation of photos for the Delta Heritage Museum Ship 41 – DC-3 which was restored at the original Hanger 1 at Delta Air Lines headquarters.

Cold Weather Altimetry Resources

Robin Maiden — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:24:39 +0000

Here are a few links I’ve found helpful on the subject of cold weather flying / altimetry:

GOVERNMENT/INDUSTRY AERONAUTICAL CHARTING FORUM Notes
PilotOutlook.com – Basic info
Aviation.com.ca – Article by John Tomkinson
FlyingSafety Article – by Monique Yates – USAF Advanced Instrument School
Transport Canada Regs – section 9.16
Boeing Magazine Aero 16 – Airline training requirements for polar flying
Flight Safety Foundation – Howard Long
SANDEL AVIONICS ST3400 – For Beech King Air – Interesting use of inflight cold weather altimetry.

Don’t forget to watch my video on the subject here – Cold Weather Altimetry

Delta’s DC-3

Robin Maiden — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:19:55 +0000

I ran across this video on the web. I wasn’t flying “Ship 41″ on this trip, but I have flown this plane.

Cold Weather Altimetry – Cold Weather Flying

Robin Maiden — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:04:17 +0000

Here is a video I put together quickly to explain cold weather altimetry. Please leave your comments below.

Andy’s Crash

Robin Maiden — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:56:35 +0000

I flew with him on three continents. I chased him down black diamond slopes. I helped introduce him to his wife. I was his best man at his wedding. We talked about flying from every angle. More than once. Floatplanes, gliders, antiques, airliners, biz-jets, military jets. We talked about it all. We even talked about Cockpit Resource Management – CRM. That’s airline speak for “How do you work with the other pilot in the cockpit to safely operate the airplane?”

Andy was killed in a biz-jet crash this month two years ago. He was the co-pilot in a Cessna Citation. What bugs me is the links in the chain of events leading to his death began well before the early morning crash. His death has more to do with the softer side of aviation than the harder side. What do I mean by that? I think it is more about the personalities and the emotions involved than the technical skills involved. I think the relationship between pilots in the cockpit was huge factor in the accident. The cockpit recorder doesn’t tell the whole story – just the minutes leading up to the end.

The final factual report has been published by the NTSB Final Report

Was I surprised by the tapes? Not really. Andy did what we had talked about at different times. How do you tell the othe pilot in the cockpit you are uncomfortable with what he is doing. My answer and plan has always been to start out subtle and build up from there. According to the report, Andy did that. He started out gently telling the captain he had concerns about being high. He then asked more directly if the captain wanted to use speedbrakes. That’s what I would have done. Then the captain didn’t do what he said he would do. He did his own thing without communicating his “real” intentions to his co-pilot.

What do I learn from this? Starting out subtle is OK, but you have to finish strong. Maybe really, really strong. It may change the relationship forever, but at least you will be alive to have the other pilot pissed at you. If you are uncomfortable with the way the other pilot is flying, let them know. Then escalate you concerns until they respond in a way that puts the plane in a position you are comfortable with. You can discuss the details later. I wish Andy had.

When do you speak up? How do you do it? How long will you wait to speak up? How forcefully will you make your point? Put your thoughs in the comments.