Tag: captain

Distractions in Cockpit

Anil Goyal

The airlines make a conscious effort to expose its flight crew to the potential hazards of distractions. Strict adherence to the ‘Sterile Cockpit Rule’ is implemented. Cabin crew and ground staff are trained and instructed to refrain from interrupting the cockpit crew while they’re in the midst of a briefing or entering critical flight data into the FMS, including computation of takeoff speeds. Strict adherence to SOP is mandated and checklist discipline is reinforced during line and simulator training. The key here is for every company to “educate” it’s staff with regards to the challenge that is posed by distraction, affecting the safety of the flight.

8 THINGS TO DO JUST BEFORE YOUR VIVA

Anil Goyal

That crucial 15 minutes before a VIVA can become the longest 15 minutes in an aspiring ATPL seeker’s life. What are you doing in those last few moments before you go into high stake Viva? Most people are getting just nervous or more nervous. They are thinking about all the things that can go wrong and all the ways in which they might screw up. They are worried about being judged by others and found lacking. In other words they are sabotaging themselves. Not many professionals are able to collect…

PILOT LICENCE (ATPL. CPL) EXAMINATION: TOP 3 TIPS FOR VIVA

Anil Goyal

Reading time: 5 min Once you have passed the written examination, life can seem a little flat for a while. Congratulate yourself, take a breath – but try not to lose your momentum. Remember that this is not an interview but is an oral examination and, like any other examination; you need to revise and prepare for it thoroughly. And, as with other exams, there are strategies that you can adopt that may help you with this. Purpose of the Viva Voce Examination. Literally, “viva voce” means by or with…

What Airline Pilots need to know about difference in bird and drone strike?

Anil Goyal

US Airways flight 1549 presents a single most illustrious example of the kind of damage a bird strike can cause and piloting-skill required to be able to bring out everyone safely from a disastrous situation. Birds are intelligent species which have natural instinct to survive and avoid a collision while in the air or on the ground. With their sharp vision and quick decisive ability, they are able to avert not only other avian traffic but also human-made obstacle and flying objects. Differences between drone and birds. 1.   For the same…

What mistakes pilots should avoid during landing flare?

Anil Goyal

The Landing Flare, in a fixed wing aircraft, is the one most difficult task a pilot executes on routine basis.  The landing flare is a transition phase between the final approach and the touchdown on the landing surface. This sub-phase of flight normally involves a simultaneous increase in aircraft pitch attitude and a reduction in engine power/thrust, the combination of which results in a decrease in both rate of descent and airspeed. What is landing flare? The flare process requires that the pilot adjust the aircraft attitude and power settings…

How pilots can assist controllers during a procedural approach control to save time and fuel?

Anil Goyal

What is a Procedural Approach Control? Procedural approach control is a form of non-radar air traffic control conducted from the Tower to separate arriving, departing, and overflying aircraft within a designated area around an aerodrome. The procedural approach is used in areas with little or no radar coverage, where traffic density is relatively low. The procedural approach controller may utilize a variety of (non-radar) separation standards to achieve separation between aircraft i.e. vertical, longitudinal, lateral, geographical, or visual separation. Without an accurate radar picture to aid situational awareness the procedural approach…