Jetjok

It's always the first officers who pump up their chests and proudly proclaim "I always hand fly it to FL180", never fully understanding how much SA they loose by just automatically flying "light in the star." Captains are not immune to this syndrome either, but many fewer captains do it, as they have come to realize that keeping well ahead of the jet is in their (and their crews) best interests. These electric jets are made to be flown on autopilot, and are much more economical when done so. Just ask (retired) Captain B. McKelvy, who always hand flew the Airbus and never saved a drop of gas.

Goes211

Assuming you are talking about the right seat...

The surprising thing to me is how you are around 20% in both seats and have been around here for probably 10 years and don't already know the pros and cons of both the widebodies!

The truth is that you do, but you are getting your jollies about announcing your intention to FINALLY move out of the Boeing or 10. If my premise is correct, you should probably go to the Airbus since you were too much of a wussy to upgrade earlier than now. Int'l FANS trips are quite complicated you know!

So quit preening, and just shut up and bid. Dork.

KnightFlyer

Ouch!

Anyway, did the MD course get a little shorter? I looked at the 2008 course map and it looks like the course is only 1 more training day than the light twin. Still not as short as the 757, but looks shorter. Are the death-by-Loft hops missing? MDers, what say ye?

Huck

Tell you what JJ... we go 5 years without a tailstrike or other landing accident, and I'll relax and fly like you guys.

Till then I'm flying a jet that's left aluminum streaks on runways from here to Timbuktu, with the fastest approach speeds in the free world now that the Concorde is retired. As far as I know, we've never hurt a jet through loss of SA. Those guys and gals had that darn box programmed to a T, all the way to the scene of the crash.

You're supposed to be doing all that in the climb anyway, right? All but the altitude selector. I bet you can handle it.

Albief15

...you glass girls...with your silly tiffs.... Wish I could just hold left seat of the 727 and I'd not move until it was gone...

Goes211

yeah knightflyer...not sure how much shorter but I saw a buddy over at the building today going through it and he said they shortened the FTD phase at least. Although he said he felt like could use more of them. Not sure if the sims or ground school portion is shortened as well.

Jetjok

You forgot to mention the fact that you've already gotten approval from the captain for your doing all of the above. Or do you just go ahead and do what you feel, when you feel it?

Don't misunderstand me, as I agree that it's important to hand fly the jet as much as one needs to, to gain, and then maintain a high level of proficiency. The Mad Dog is a very challenging jet, but there's a time and place for everything, and every leg (as you so claim) must be tiring on your flying partner. Newark, LAX, JFK, CDG, FRA, ORD, BOS, NRT, ATL, and a lot of other high density airports are probably not the best places to show off your ability to hand fly the jet.

MD11Fr8Dog

"Air Operations management has reviewed this report and is undertaking the appropriate initiatives to address the underlying causes identified in it. This includes putting more emphasis on hand flying and monitoring skills and continuing to pursue technology (enhanced EGPWS, RAAS, HUD/EVS) to provide better information, alerts and warnings to preclude safety events."

FliFast

I have an American Rolex called a Timex and at cruise I wear a blue Speedo. Sweatpants that is.

And NO SIR, my cruise clothing is not a religious event, but my Roast Dog Burger out of China would make your ears wiggle.

FF

R1200RT

The "Boy" has a point. If you can't land/fly, the AirBus is for you. As you can see by the videos, when a bus guy tries to fly the 11 it just doesn't work.

5 years in the right seat of the MD and one year left seat of the Bus. Now back on the MD for two years in the left seat. So, unlike most of the guys on here I've done both. Why only one year in the left seat of the Bus (when I had an 18 month freeze) THE BUS SUCKS! I begged Lewis and he let me out of my freeze. I was glad to go through another training cycle to escape the uptight Bus.

The 11 is much more user friendly. It does what you tell it to do.... the bus, well it has a mind of it's own and will F#$K you from time to time.
The trips are much better.
Unless you have flown both airplanes don't argue with me... because you just don't know.. That means you BoyCaptain 12 years on the Bus you don't have a point of reference. Too bad you got kicked off your MD-11 LAX bid, it sucks to be too junior to hold it. Maybe later