What are the pilot’s responsibilities during cruise?
Today, I am flying a/an __________ and I have many different responsibilities during cruise, for example:
- I have to configure the autopilot;
- Oversee the engine parameters;
- Communicate with ATC;
- Deviate from bad weather;
- Talk to the flight attendants;
- Check the remaining fuel;
- Make sure the airplane is following the correct route;
- and Coordinate the approach time.
This is a simple part of the flight but it requires lots of attention.
What’s a driftdown procedure?
A Driftdown procedure is a series of maneuvers pilots perform when a multi-engine aircraft suffers an engine failure,
And can’t sustain its flight on the current flight level.
So, the pilot needs to descend to a better altitude,
Deviating from obstacles along the flight path.
What is your opinion about the autopilot?
In my opinion, the autopilot is one of the best systems onboard.
Because it reduces our workload.
The autopilot controls the altitude, heading and speed.
Which gives pilots more time to manage other aspects of the flight, like the navigation, communication and the flight paperwork.
It is mandatory in some airspaces.
When can we use the autopilot?
It depends a lot on the airplane, company and flight.
But we generally engage the autopilot at around 400ft,
We use it during climb, cruise and descent,
And we normally disengage it at the Decision Altitude for touchdown.
What do you think about automation in the future?
I believe automation in the future will be even better than today.
I think that, The autopilot will be more precise and intuitive.
And the airplanes will be able to taxi, takeoff and land automatically
This will:
- Reduce the workload;
- Improve the precision;
- Enhance Flight safety.
Compare these 2 aircraft.
The Cessna 152 is a high-wing, single-engine airplane powered by propeller.
This aircraft has capacity for 2 people and maximum altitude of 12.000ft.
ON THE OTHER HAND,
The A380 is the largest passenger aircraft in the world.
It is a low-wing, quad-jet engine airliner with capacity for over 550 passengers.
The A380 is faster, bigger and safer than the Cessna.
The cessna152 is cheaper and easier to operate than the A380.
Which technology had the biggest impact in aviation?
I believe the technology that had the biggest impact in aviation was the GPS.
The GPS:
- Reduces flight time;
- Improves the precision;
- Optimizes the routes;
- Provides direct flight paths;
- Decreases operational costs;
- Increases the safety standards.
What’s the importance of GPS for modern aviation?
In my opinion, GPS has an important role in the aviation industry, because the GPS is
- very accurate;
- precise; and
- easy to operate.
Since the implementation of the GPS.
Flights became
shorter, faster and safer.
I believe the GPS is the best and most reliable navigation equipment today.
How can better communication technology help aviation?
I think that communication is a key factor for a safe operation.
- Good communication technology will provide safe separation from other traffic or obstacles.
- Communication can also make flights faster and safer with direct routes and necessary deviations.
I think that, datalink communication technology has to become more popular,
because the written messages can avoid misunderstandings.
- Especially in very busy terminal areas. This will increase flight safety and reduce accent problems on international flights.
What is datalink communication?
Based on my knowledge, Datalink communication is a system in which the pilots
send and receive written messages to the ATC and the company, instead of conventional radio communication from the cockpit,
Today, we have the ACARS and CPDLC and they are very good,
Because they:
- Avoid misunderstandings;
- Accent problems; and
- May also eliminate radio congestion.
I think datalink is the future of aeronautical communication.
How does poor communication affect flight safety?
Poor communication can lead to:
- Runway incursion;
- Ground Collision;
- Level Bust;
- CFIT;
- Mid-Air Collision;
- Near Miss.
What is D.A?
Based on my experience,
D.A stands for Decision Altitude and it’s the
- minimum altitude pilots can descend
without having visual contact with the runway or the approach lights. - If at DA, the pilots don’t have the airport’s visual cues in sight,
- they cannot continue with their landing and must initiate a missed approach procedure.
Why would pilots need to perform a go around?
A pilot can decide to initiate a go around due to anything that he or she thinks can compromise flight safety, like:
- an unstable approach;
- overspeed;
- windshear or microburst;
- runway incursion;
- landing gear failure;
- master warning;
- or controller’s instructions.
How would you conduct a go-around?
In order to go-around, we need to:
- First, Apply our Takeoff/Go-around thrust setting;
- After that, Increase the pitch;
- And Start climbing;
- Then, Change the aircraft’s configuration;
- And, Follow the missed approach profile;
- Finally, Inform ATC about the procedure and our intentions.
