I’ve recently been contacted by a friend from a previous airline who now works for another Middle Eastern carrier, flying 777′s. Interestingly enough – he’s chasing down information on Missed Approach Acceleration – an issue I also encountered when I arrived at my current airline in 2008. Image Credit: At that time, the initial training [...]
Boeing 787: A Pilots Perspective

I was fortunate enough to be invited by Boeing and Qantas – along with a very small number of other television, radio and print journalists – to be part of Media Team 787, a media only flight from Sydney to Brisbane and return on board N787BX (ZA003). Configured with 135 seats, less than 30 guests [...]
Boeing 787 Review: The Passenger Experience
I was fortunate to be invited by Boeing and Qantas ā along with a very small number of other television, radio and print journalists ā to be part of Media Team 787, a media only flight from Sydney to Brisbane and return onboard N787BX (ZA003). Configured with 135 seats, less than 30 guests were permitted [...]
Gear Up Landings and Pilot Error

There’s an old adage in aviation that reads, “There are two types of pilots: Those that have landed gear up, and those that will.” Iām not a big believer in these silly phrases — their purpose being to bring solace to the group of pilots that are most likely to make the mistake. That doesn’t [...]
Runway Change on Departure

A Runway Change, particularly once the aircraft has begun to move under it’s own power, can be a profound change to implement on the flight deck. If you sit on the flight deck in cruise, look around and consider the worst sequence of runway change – say from a long runway away from terrain and [...]
Performance Limited Takeoff
Managing a departure with a performance limited takeoff weight can be one of the more challenging tasks that face an Airline Captain today. It all sounds simple enough in theory. Based on the Airport/Runway, Ambient Weather Conditions and Aircraft, a computer will spit out – down to the kilogram – how much weight you’re allowed [...]






