Re: Satellite Communicator

True. Fortunately these were the exceptions. One thing I will admit though is that I actually didn't enjoy being a captain all the time. A lot of responsibility, especially with inexperienced crews in heavy winds. Light winds are a walk in the park. I manage so many things at work the last thing I want to do is manage more people during leisure. My ex-gf attended the same classes and we shared instructors so if she was available, that really helped with peace of mind. Now we only take a boat out on occasion and during special events, like during the air shows. Anchoring next to Alcatraz gives you a nice perspective on the planes. Of course the coast guard maintains a "safety line" by patrolling up and down with a gun boat, and the machine gun has the cover removed!

Sailing aside, I also have some flying stories after my ex-gf signed me up for flying lessons a decade ago. I still recall one incident where I petrified the instructor. Now I was used to a C-172 but one day it wasn't available so my instructor put us into an older aircraft to grade me. I remember sitting there looking at the cockpit instrument panel. I flipped one switch, then another, then another. Looked at him. He was silent. I ducked my head below the panel and felt with my hand. He put his pen into his mouth and we starred at each other without saying a word. I then asked him if he has the aircraft manual near his seat. No luck. I leaned back and looked at the higher switches and went sequentially down the cluster yet again, on position, off position. Then I spotted it, one of the few switches that I didn't try near the VHF unit. I flipped it up and the instrument panel lit up and aircraft started up. I looked at him and said "aha that's what I was looking for, main power switch". He just looked out his window as I was testing the hydraulics and yelled something along the lines of "I don't get paid enough for this job, lord help us both".

The most confusing part I found about flying by the way was not actually flying but the rules you had to follow with ATC. Interestingly the protocols they followed that I learned I ended up applying the exact same ones to increase patient safety in medicine, specifically when physicians issue verbal orders. However, even with predefined procedures things go wrong sometimes. This clip is very famous that illustrates how quickly a mess can occur. My favorite part is at 2:53.




If you fly a lot, United is the one airline that allows you to listen in. I always enjoyed flying into Boston. There is one guy who everyone nicknamed "Boston John" in the industry. He worked the tower. I still enjoy listening to him on liveatc.net. Looks like there are a few clips on YouTube as well. He also had a thing for lady pilots, as you can hear at 1:05 and 5:10. I guess I would too. Any woman that can handle a 900,000 lb machine that generates 66,000 lbs of thrust ... well never mind.






Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/2014 08:09PM by mohave.